Getting Started with Triathlons (guest post).

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Hi MizFit readers!

My name’s Jess. I blog over at Jess Runs and I’m really excited to hang out with you today!

photo (20)

If you’re a long time reader of MizFit, you know this blog is all about not having to fit in to one style of working out or another.

Well after having been a dedicated runner for six years, I am taking a step off the runner path, and trying something new.

Several months ago, I signed up for my first triathlon.

tri rock

Going in, I knew absolutely nothing about the sport of triathlon. Heck, prior to registration, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was about ten years old.

Now I own this beauty:

Mixing things up with a ride on the trainer

In just a few short months, I’ve learned a ton and wanted to share it with you, because hey, if I can do this crazy triathlon thing, you can too!

  1. Training for three sports at once is tricky, but it also lets you be super flexible with your schedule. I used to lock myself into really rigid running training plans, but tri training makes it so easy to swap workouts. If you’re legs are feeling burnt out, you can swim or the bike. If it’s raining outside, you can go to the pool and move your bike ride to a day when the weather is nicer. The flexibility is an amazing bonus I wasn’t expecting.
  2. You don’t need fancy equipment. Sure the top competitors all have bikes that cost more than my car, but if you’re trying something new to see if you like it, there’s no sense in wasting money on expensive gear you may only use once. I will recommend you invest in a pair of tri shorts though. After doing my bike ride last week with no padding to protect my butt, I realized that a pair of tri shorts might actually be a worthwhile purchase. Seriously, your butt will thank you.
  3. Don’t worry if you fall off your bike, apparently it happens to everyone. Or at least that’s that what everyone told me when I crashed mine a few weeks ago. They might have just been trying to make me feel better. On that note, invest in a good helmet!
  4. Triathlons have a lot of rules, and for a while that really turned me off. I didn’t want to have to learn a whole bunch of special rules so I wouldn’t get disqualified. I’ve since learned the rules are important, but you most likely won’t break them. Just make sure you don’t ride too closely to anyone on the bike, and you should be OK!
  5. It’s OK to be a complete newbie and ask what may seem like silly questions. I lean heavily on my friend Zach who is an experienced biker to answer all my many, many questions about safely riding a bike. I also rely on my blog readers who have done a ton of triathlons to guide me. Their advice and support has been incredible and I have learned a ton from them. So don’t be afraid to ask the questions. No one expects you to know everything if you’re new.

Most importantly, have fun. I’m enjoying this whole triathlon experiment, but running will always be my first love. I’ve found that time away from running has been awesome because it’s preventing burnout and fueling my fire to get back dedicated running training when tri season is over.

If you’re curious to learn more, you can follow along on my tri-training (mis)adventures over on my blog, Jess Runs. If you’re interested in training for a tri, sign up for the FitFluential triathlon group on Facebook. There’s lot of great discussion and motivation going on there!

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Comments

  1. I’ve fallen off my bike soooo many times. Especially in the beginning! I love riding it 🙂

    Great post, thanks for sharing!

    Good luck with your Tri!

  3. Great post, I actually just wrote an article on squidoo using Miz as a case study of why women should be trying new exercise’s out, in this case weight training. I am all for diversification. Here is the article if anyone wants to read it on squidoo 🙂 Hope this doesnt come across as spammy :/

    http://www.squidoo.com/weights-for-women

  4. I bought a bike for myself a few years ago after not having been on one since about age 12. I was so embarrassed taking it for a “Test” ride because I seriously needed training wheels! Glad I’m not alone.

    Thanks for these tips. When I bought my hybrid, triathlons were not even close enough to be on my radar (or I would have bought a better bike) but the last year or so I’ve really been thinking about it. Hearing about the flexibility of training (something I would never have thought possible for some reason) makes me feel like I just might be able to pull it off! Thanks for the awesome post!

    • I am still a little bit scared of my road bike, but I’m getting used to riding it. Everyone keeps telling me more time in the saddle helps and they have been right. I’m picking up one new skill each time I’m out there.

  6. Great post! I’ve fallen off of the bike plenty of times… in races! It’s how you learn. Just remember that helmets are only designed to hold up for one crash. It will break so that you skull won’t, and if you put a crack in your helmet it should be replaced.

    Structured tri training also provides a balanced workout approach. Even if all you do is swim once, bike twice, and run twice each week you’re still getting regular, varied workouts in that will give you the biggest full body makeover ever. It’s all about balance.

  10. I have never fallen off my bike unless I was out in the hills riding my mountain bike and I fishtail in sand or get into a rut or something-
    Once you start you will be hooked. I have completed over 100 tris myself (including two IM distance) and really the rules are for your own protection. If you have never ridden with thousands of other riders or have done an open water swim with thouseands of other swimmers…well you will see if you continue the sport.

  11. I’ve always wanted to try a Tri! The only thing really holding me back is how much I hate swimming in cold water… which so far has been a deal breaker, lol.

  12. This is a great post and great tips! Training for a triathlon is super fun. I was also burnt out on running and decided to do a tri. Loved running and swimming but was terrified of the bike – especially riding in clips. But I had so much fun. I trained with Team in Training which is another great way to get started because they provided the coaching and a ton of info and support along the way. Thanks Jess! Makes me want to do another.

  13. I am not really wanting to do one BUT I admire those that do & love watching them – amazing amazing athletes no matter beginner or experienced. I have a couple blogger friends that fell in love with them & are hard core now!!! Thx for sharing!!

  14. Bike riding is one of my favorite sport. I love to ride bikes. It happened twice that I have fallen from bike but it has not affected my like about bike riding.

  15. you may want to get some aero bars for your 40k so you can stay stretched out and comfortable for over an hour.

  17. Training for a triathlon is great because it works out many different body groups. Sometimes people get stuck in a workout routine and wonder why they are no longer seeing results. To lose weight, you need to switch up what you are doing every once in awhile.

  18. Riding bikes is definitely a great way to stay in shape and get fit. A must for every fitness buff.

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