Is it possible to do a triathlon if you are an overweight, unfit 55 year old?

[Bryonyshcmyony]

Not straight away obvs, but ever? Or is it a stupid idea? I can barely run/walk 5k. I can ride a bike and I am currently having adult swim lessons to improve my swim technique. Is it a mad idea? I'd also need to train in secret as dh would absolutely rip the piss.

I mean I can walk 5k, but can barely do park run with a combo of running and walking.

Absolutely! A super sprint triathlon or sprint distance would be an excellent goal to aim towards!
Good luck!

I've just found one that would be perfect sadly it's mid September which is probably too soon. 3k run 200m swim 15k bike

Be realistic and aim for next year but yes as long as you are sensible and follow proper advice it’s something that you can definitely aim for and accomplish.

I can’t remember his name but years ago there was an excellent book by a personal trainer. I will rack my brains and google!

That sounds like spring triathlons near me.
Don't forget transition is its own discipline.
Could your DH do a super sprint triathlon, OP?

Of course it's not beyond you. Absolutely achievable and increasingly popular with middle aged women. Some events even run training sessions to help beginners. Good luck and enjoy!

@lljkk

That sounds like spring triathlons near me. Don't forget transition is its own discipline. Could your DH do a super sprint triathlon, OP?

Yes he does lots 🙁

I don’t know if you will win anything but who cares you can say that you did it. You want to do it, it’s an awesome adventure and completely bad ass. I don’t have any advice other than see your GP and consult about your plan. Update us! All the best!

I'd rather not come dead last. Anything else would be a bonus

Of course you can. I took up Crossfit a bit older & met loads of inspirational women, often much older than 55. Mostly they started off bigger.

I'd love to do a triathlon but I'm not allowed to run. 😁

@Bryonyshcmyony

I've just found one that would be perfect sadly it's mid September which is probably too soon. 3k run 200m swim 15k bike

Plenty of time to work up to that by September OP.

I might not even be officially overweight by then (am dieting successfully!)

I’m not sure if it local or national but we have something called ‘GoTri’ and they do lots of short & mini tri & duathlons. Some indoors (gym / pool) and some outdoors. They are all about taking part and not competitive. They would be a great start for you and to build your confidence.

www.gotri.org/

Amazing! Thank you @FawnFrenchieMum

Go for it op! I did a sprint tri when my ds was 1 - the day after his birthday. So I trained for it from nothing. I would say learn from what I did wrong and make sure you include core strength in your training, something like pilates. If you have a good base to work from then you'll be fine! Enjoy yourself.

Dh is doing the longer version of the one in September

Would be so funny to just do mine without him even knowing I'd entered

Yes you absolutely can. As others have mentioned, go TRI is a good place to start.they don't publish the results for those I think. Aim for May/June next year. Join a tri club, ours is super friendly and caters for all levels. As a guide, it takes me 38-40 minutes at least to do a park run.

@horseymum

Yes you absolutely can. As others have mentioned, go TRI is a good place to start.they don't publish the results for those I think. Aim for May/June next year. Join a tri club, ours is super friendly and caters for all levels. As a guide, it takes me 38-40 minutes at least to do a park run.

It takes me about 39 mins so the same. I can swim 8 lengths. The only thing I don't do much of is cycling

Can I just ask, what is it about triathlon that makes it such a 'mid life' sport?
Absolutely everyone I know who has really got into it recently is a middle class professional in their forties, but I don't really understand what it is specifically about triathlon that makes it so appealing?

I don't mean that in a horrible way, I'm genuinely curious. Like, am I missing out on something amazing here?!

Good luck OP!

I’m interested in this thread. I’m in the same boat as you! I would love to do one, in order to say I’ve achieved something!! Would make me so proud.
So for that reason, I absolutely think you can nail this!
And if your dh does them, then you’ll have some experience of what it involves??

Bryonyshcmyony

Assuming there are no underlying injuries or health issues then if course you can. As others have said a sprint event would be a good goal. With a gradual considered training plan you can do it. Different sport but I am heavily involved in rowing coaching and it is wonderful to see some people who rock up to our learn to row courses who are overweight and lacking confidence progress to the point where 18 months later that same person is super fit and winning their first regattas.

I did similar when I was in my early forties, started training in the Sept and completed two sprint tri's in the following May/June. I started from scratch. I'm no runner to be honest and it was hard work. But definitely doable. A sprint tri is 16 lengths, 20km on the bike and 5km run. Why not see what you can do!

You could absolutely do that September one! When I first thought about a triathlon I could run, but I couldn't swim (had lost use of an arm) or cycle at all. 5 months later I did a pool tri, and the next year I did an open water one.
I'll never win (well, I did win my category at a para tri recently, but there were only 2 of us), and sometimes I've been last - but I enjoy training for all three and found I really love open water swimming