Triathanewbie.com Homepage
Swim - Bike - Run - Beginner Triathlete Basics - Race Day - Triathlon Events - FAQ - About - Contact - Home
 
Purely for Self Gratification and Accomplishment

I have just registered for a triathlon that is about 5 wks away. 1 mile swim, 25mile bike, 6 mile run. I am in the military. I run 3-6 miles 3 times a week. I am 5, 11" 185 lbs. I eat healthy. I dont smoke or drink. I lift weights about 5-6 times a week and take several dietary supplements. I am a good runner due to several years in the army. My training plan is pretty vague. I plan to start training in two days. Plan: hour spin class twice a week, 5 mile run twice a week, swim as much a possible on the weekend. I currently dont swim or bike, but am decent at both. Im not trying to win or even place. I am deploying to iraq for my second combat tour with the infantry. This is something I want to do purely for self gratification and accomplishment. I guess my only question is do you think I will be able to finish. I would highly appreciate any advice or insight. Thank you very much.

Jim from Washington

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Jim,

Thank you for contacting TriathaNewbie.com.

First of all, let us thank you for serving our country, not just once, but twice! It’s great to have a mini-triathlon goal for yourself – especially where you are constantly doing much more dangerous tasks for other people.

You sound like you are in great shape for the bike and the run, but we normally throw caution out to swimmers who have a very aggressive swim training timeline. As it looks, you will have only 4 practice sessions between now and then and, honestly, that doesn’t sound like enough time to complete a safe mile swim. One way to be sure is by testing your self with a couple of bricks between now and then. Swim a mile and then hop on your bike for a 15 mile bike. If you feel like you can bike another 10 miles and run 6, then we say “go for it”. If not, then maybe you could find another event when you return from Iraq.

Please email us and let us know how it goes. If we don’t hear from you, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers for a safe tour.

Be well,
~Jack

Jack Shaw
TriathaNewbie.com

  TriathaNewbie.com Recommended Resources:  
Protect Your Noggin
Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Triathanewbie.com SiteMap
Great Triathlon Links

Triathlon SwimTriathlon Swim
-
Get the low-down on gear and read tips for training and events.

Triathlon BikeTriathlon Bike - Learn how to structure bike workouts, find safety tips and read recommendations on great bike gear.

Triathlon RunTriathlon Run - Get the ultimate skinny on running sneakers, running gear, safety tips and much more.

Beginner Triathlete Basics

Triathlon InspirationWhy should I compete in a triathlon?

How do I train for a triathlon?Triathlon Resource

Triathlon ResourceWhat do I wear for a triathlon?

Triathlon ResourceWhat can I expect on triathlon race day?

Triathlon ResourceHow do I recover from a triathlon?

Other Triathlon Tips

Average Triathlon Times - Beginner Triathlete's guide to gauging times

Triathlon Race Day Checklist - Are you sure you have everything?

"First Triathlon" Stories - Read stories from people like you!

How to Put on a Swim Cap - Don't pull out your hair trying

Need to Change a Flat? - Easy instructions for a beginner

Getting Rid of Blisters? - Learning how to avoid them too

There are Newbies Starting Triathlons Every Day. Today Just Happens to be YOUR Day!

Triathlon Key: E equals Events, I equals Inspirational, N equals Nutrition, ? equals Question and R equals Resource

SWIM
RESOURCES
BIKE
RESOURCES
RUN
RESOURCES
Triathlon QuestionTriathlon Swimming Tips - Any tips for us newbies trying to come up with a training plan?

Triathlon QuestionCold Water Triathlons - I recently tried swimming in a very cold lake and it took my breath away, scaring me about the tri.
Triathlon QuestionDealing with Dogs While on Your Bike - My husband and I have been having problems with loose dogs chasing us on our bike rides.

Triathlon QuestionHow to Change a Flat Tire - I keep getting pinch flats so obviously I am doing something wrong.
Triathlon QuestionIncreasing Stamina and Speed - What would you suggest to increase both stamina and speed on the run?

Triathlon ResourceFoot Blisters, Avoiding and Taking Care of Them - But what happens when we don't think we've done something stupid and still get bilsters?
  More Triathlon Swim Resources >>     More Triathlon Bike Resources >>     More Triathlon Run Resources >>  
     
TRIATHLON
EVENTS
BEGINNER TRIATHLON STORIES
MORE TRIATHLON RESOURCES
  Triathlon EventYMCA Lakewood Valley Triathlon - The YMCA Lakewood Valley Triathlon is a sprint distance triathlon that has been named “The Midwest’s Most Beautiful Triathlon”... 

Triathlon EventBrooklyn Sports Club Mini Indoor Triathlon - This is a short, indoor triathlon suitable for all fitness levels...
    Triathlon InspirationFirst Triathlon Story: Frances Frost - I was in wave 10 - the 40+ year old women. You'd think they'd let us old ladies go first, but...

Triathlon InspirationFirst Triathlon Story - Danni Hamilton - I've always worked out a wee bit in the gym...
    Triathlon ResourceIf You Want To Gain Weight, Go On A Diet - Six reasons why ongoing dieting doesn’t work...

Triathlon QuestionOff Season Cross Training! - Cross training for triathlon may sound crazy. We already train for three sports, aren't we are already cross training?

  More Triathlon Events >>     More Beginner Triathlon Stories >>     More Triathlon Resources >>  
 

Swim - Bike - Run - Race Day - Tracking Progress - FAQ - Events - Contact - SiteMap - Home ---- Back to Top

Copyright © 2008 TriathaNewbie.com; Content and images are the property of TriathaNewbie.com and may NOT be copied or
reproduced for any reason without the written permission of TriathaNewbie.com. The information on this website is the opinion of TriathaNewbie.com
and the opinion of its contributing writers. We offer this website as testimony to our experiences. Please consult your
doctor before following any advice, training solutions, health/nutrition solutions or injury recovery solutions listed on this website.
Outside Links: The website owner is solely responsible for all content.

Web design and illustrations provided by Click-on-Nik.com.