Help "training"

[Andywyre]

Hi all,

I'm a complete novice, i have read a few magazines with training schedules in but they all seem to be similar 3 swims, 3 bikes, 4 runs & 2 gym sessions.

I would really like to do the sprint in June, (and finish in the top 80% (under 2 hours))
I need help planning a training schedule that is achievable.

I started on 18th January at 17st 1lb, today i'am 15st 2lb so a good start,

I swam front crawl last week I could manage 4 lenghs just about, (i have swam twice since)
I rode my mountain bike last week first time in a year dead at the end of 12 miles
I have started a walk run schedule
I do 2 gym sessions a week

Help please, is June realistic?????????????????

Andy

[DaveH]

Hi Andy,

Well I'm a fellow complete novice to tri and so in no way able to give you advice on a structured training plan. Particularly as mine isn't that structured !

Maybe we can share experiences . I'm biking ,running , swimming and gym a couple of times a week each too.

Focusing on swimming as 3 months back a length was a real challenge.Thus by far my weakness. I've been doing swim improvement lessons at Lower Wick and ,when I can make it, the WTC session on Fridays .Can now do 10 lengths with brief pauses. Thus I've taken the 'plunge' and entered Stratford Sprint Tri early May.

I took up 'running' 2 years back with Black Pear Joggers ( Link to BPJ website on training section of WTC website under 'run'). Paced group runs from Jog/ walk upwards leaving Perdiswell Sports Centre at 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Running in a group is far more 'fun' and I know I wouldn't be running at all without this club. Not coached as such but plenty of encouragment and experience availible.So I would definately recommend to you in order to cover runs sessions

Good luck !

By the way how did loose that much weight that quickly ?!

Cheers David

[neil.wicks]

Hi Guys,

When I did my first tri back in 2004 I used a 12-week training plan from Triathlon 220 magazine. In a typical week this has two swims, two bikes and two runs with a total training time of 4-5 hours. You can download a copy of this plan from their web-site. So 3 sessions of each a week plus gym work makes June a very realistic target. I initially used a combination of breaststoke and front crawl which isn't unusually. My main suggestions would be to tailor any plan to target your weaknesses (limiters) and make the training as fun as possible.

If you are interested in some experienced coaching then Steve Lumley will be at the swimming session this Friday and at Top Barn this Saturday from 9am. In addition, most people at Worcester Tri will be more than happy to share their experiences and give friendly advice. I coach swimming at Pershore on a Thursday night and can be found at Top-Barn most Saturday mornings for a Bike ride if you want to chat through a plan in more detail. Any questions, put a post on here and I'll hopefully be able to help.

Cheers
Neil

[Andywyre]

To David,
Hi, i live Stourport way, so planned on joining Stourport Athletic for running, wanted to get to 14st 7lb before running (2 weeks) plus have just started walk run schedule out of one of the mags.

How am i losing the weight, i have cut out the 25 pints of bitter, 2 bottles of red and the bottle of baileys each week, then i have dropped my calorie intake to 600 a day (i'm a veggie anyway so this was really easy). Last week i upped my calorie intake to 600 plus refuelling any excersise.

I did swim with worc's tri Sat last week, could manage 3 lenghs front crawl, now upto 12 non stop.
Good luck in May and what time are you aiming at?? what speeds are you currently achieving?? You didn't mention bike how are you getting on with that.

To Neil
Hi, & cheers, I will pop down Saturday for a chat, thanks
The 2 session 3 session bit, what i was trying to say is 3 sessions is a bit to much for me to do both time wise and physically.
Weakness I can now run for a continious 60 seconds
as mentioned as of last week i could swim approx 3 lenghs
and bike well i have a mountain bike, tried the cadence on the gym bike can do 80 for 10 mins

So weakness probably overall fitness, too heavy & out of practice.

Supper competative though, hence the under 2 hours bit.
Target times
Swim 14 mins
Bike 17mph
Run 7.30 miles

Andy

[Andywyre]

After having a chat with Neil on Saturday, i've now gone out and bought a specialized allez, i'm picking it up on Tuesday, i want a computer to measure cadence anyone got any suggestions???????????


Andy

[Rachel Ward]

You have done really well to lose 2 stone since January. For a sprint you will need to do 16 lengths of a 25m pool,then bike 20-25km then run 5km. I would suggest regular swimming and advise some coaching/technique sessions if possible.The bike will be fine just increase the distance week by week.There is nothing wrong with walk/jog as a way of getting round.The more you do the more you will be able to run .Don't increase by more than 10% / week as a rough guide and remember to HAVE FUN !!

Good luck Rachel.

[Andywyre]

Thanks Rachel, I went to worc's tri Saturday swim 2 weeks ago could manage 3 lenghs front crawl a guy their helped me with my breathing i practiced twice in the week and when i went back this Saturday i managed the whole training session all but 2 lenghs all front crawl, so a massive improvement, i need help with all disciplines hence sending off my membership form to worc's tri.

Went out on my new bike this afternoon,feels odd, i think it may take a week just setting the pedals and bars, or are they meant to feel strange???????????????

These gears ?????????? i change gear and wabble all over the place, will i sort that out with practice??????????????

FUN ( i can't stop smiling, i've got the bug)

Andy