Sprint Triathlon

[penny-penn]

I took a major step last week and signed up for the Danskin Women's Triathlon! I will participate in the Chicagoland (Pleasant Prairie, WI) Triathlon on July 8, 2007. For those who haven't heard of it, this triathlon supports the fight against cancer. Donations are shared equally by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Association of Team Survivor.

I started my training today and it felt good! :) It has been a long time since I swam or rode a bike (other than stationary) any real distance.

[Admin megansmama]

Good for you Penny! I think it's awesome to set a goal like a triathlon for yourself!!! I have a couple of friends that have done one and it changed their life!

[stacijinsc]

You will love it. I decided to do a sprint tri last year. It was wonderful to train and even more wonderful to finish a race! I ordered a bike (I had borrowed road bikes from friends last year) and it came in TODAY! I am ready to get geared up for my race in May.

Have you found a training plan to help you get into shape? There are several good books and websites with training plans. Many places have beginner tri plans for free (I'm always looking for a bargain).

You will love it! The people I have encountered at triathlons are so positive and encouraging.

[2on17]

Congrats and Good Luck!

Stacijnsc, I am in the market for a road bike. What kind do you get and who did you order it through? I was really hoping to have one by now, but I jast can't make a decision. Please do tell all about your new set of wheels.

[stacijinsc]

I had looked for over a year! I was on a fairly limited budget - this is my first road bike and we had 3 kids (+ are working to finish paying our last debt). I rode a friend's LeMond Zephyr - women's specific, steel & carbon bike with Shimano Ultegra gears. I was pretty comfy on that bike - but it costs close to $3000. I also borrowed a friends Felt bike - not women's specific. It had Shimano Tiagra. I did not like the 'buttons' on the Tiagra, and they were not really smooth. I shopped at bike stores and talked with many people. I started looking on ebay. I found my bike there.

It is a Motobecane Gigi - women's specific bike, aluminum and carbon with Shimano Ultegra gears. This is a brand new bike! It was on ebay for over half off the MSRP and was about $10 less than the lowest end bike you would fine in a bike shop. The seller has a guarantee on the bike (she will take it back of you don't love it) and it comes with the manufacturer's warranty. I need to get it set-up for me and hope to do that today or tomorrow at a local shop.

I hope this helps. I was surprised at what you can find on ebay that is new in this area. Take a look and see what you can find.

[penny-penn]

You will love it. I decided to do a sprint tri last year. It was wonderful to train and even more wonderful to finish a race! I ordered a bike (I had borrowed road bikes from friends last year) and it came in TODAY! I am ready to get geared up for my race in May.

Have you found a training plan to help you get into shape? There are several good books and websites with training plans. Many places have beginner tri plans for free (I'm always looking for a bargain).

You will love it! The people I have encountered at triathlons are so positive and encouraging.

I am using a beginner tri free plan right now, but am going to look for a book today. I need to get a bike also. I am going to begin looking around today after book shopping.

[Admin Irock]

How Fantastic!! Keep us updated on your progress and remind us as the dates get closer, we'll be cheering for you from the "virtual" sidelines!!:)

[stacijinsc]

Penny - I would recommend using the free plans, check out the books from the library, etc. I got a couple of books and the plans were SOOOO complicated! I really think they were geared for the people who plan to WIN the triathlon. Shape magazine has a really great 3 month training plan for beginners that is free on their website. Most people I know that do tris don't even use a plan - so they thought I was over-trained. I would not go that far, but I finished well under the time goal I set for myself and felt really good afterwards.

If you have friends with road bikes, I would borrow theirs just to see what you like and don't like. I did 90% of my training last year on a cheap mountain bike. Since I was riding on the road - making the bike do stuff it was never made to do - I was in fabulous shape! However, when I started borrowing 'good' bikes from my friends, the mountain bike was so slow and awful that I did not want to go. I would say take it slow - a bike is not cheap! You want to make sure you have what you need and not spend a small fortune!

[penny-penn]

Thanks for that GREAT advice!

I decided to do laundry and some cleaning so I never made it out to the stores, but I did go to the library to see what they had. Let's just say I need to go to a bigger library in my area. They didn't have any tri training books. I will check out Shape's plan.

Thank you again!

[sss4ard]

Good for you Penny. What a great way to help others and stay healthy yourself. Wishing you luck.

Cat:)

[aggiefirewife]

My DH has done MANY triathlons and I cycle often (I have a Specialized Allez Sport which I love). I'm not a very good runner so I'm trying to get in shape to do my first one this summer! Please PM me if you want to talk about training or anything.

I've looked at a few books but I agree that the training plans are REALLY daunting. I try and stick to trying to bike, swim and run once a week and then do some sort of other exercise too! I know hard core triathletes would DIE at that sort of plan but its working pretty well for me.

Congrats on this plan!

[Admin 100thousandaire]

Penny!!! I am sooo proud of you. Good luck and I will be cheering you on all the way!!

[2on17]

Penny, we have a tri club in our small city/neighborhood. We have coached swims, group bike rides, etc. It is the best $35 you can spend.

[STACEY IN CALIF]

Good luck to you Penny. That sounds like so much fun. Do keep us updated. Stacey

[penny-penn]

I will keep you all up to date & remind you when it is near! Of course, I will tell you how it went afterward as well. Thanks for all the words of encouargement & the advice!

Penny, we have a tri club in our small city/neighborhood. We have coached swims, group bike rides, etc. It is the best $35 you can spend.

That would be awesome. We don't have anything like that around here that I know of, but I am attending a seminar next Wednesday night done specifically for the Danskin Tri.