Triathlon Fitness

[FurForksSake]

I am considering entering a triathlon in May 2020.

Problem is I haven't run in years and my swimming is limited to about 50m. The swim is 400m in a lake, so no wall to push off part way through. Also I don't currently own a bike..

But, I have a year. I've just got back into going to the gym and I go 3-4 times a week, I spin and do combat classes. So those will get my cardiovascular up and spinning helps build the right muscles a bit.

I will book on to a course of adult swimming lesson, usually I just get knackered after a length so assuming my technique is poor.

The run is just under 3km, I used to do 5km races 15 years ago, so 3km doesn't feel daunting. I've had two lots of hip surgery but am told I should be able to do any exercise I choose. Though running isn't top of my list.

So, get a bike and start cycling. Do I have to do the bike bit on a road bike? I was planning on buying a hard tail. Start couch to 5km. Find some adult swimming lessons and build endurance.

How do you practice for an open water swim? There is no where here I can do that and we are as inland as you can get.

Do you think it is achievable?

Yes, definitely achievable! Your plans sounds great. A year will be more than long enough to prepare. Are there any reservoirs near you? They do often open for swimming a few hours a week so it may be worth googling it or asking your swimming teacher. Bike- you can certainly do a sprint triathlon on a hardtail. Maybe put some slick tyres on it but that's perfectly doable if you think you might use the bike more off road than in road in future.
Enjoy and join us on the triathlon thread :).

I didn't even know there was a triathlon thread!

I've emailed to find out about adult swimming lessons, I can swim but need to be really confident and have some endurance.

I've chosen my event, September 2020.

Husband can take me out to practice the cycle route, it will be on closed roads but includes tight corners and technical descents.

Right, off to find the thread to have a read.

Hello Fork. I started triathloning about 18 months ago as a way to get myself fit after breaking my leg. I love it. I am slow and it’s hard work but triathletes are a wonderful group of people and the sport is strangely addictive. I started on a hybrid bike but discovered cycling was my favourite and quickly switched to a road bike.
Which tri are you doing?

I am aiming for Woburn 2020. Lots of time to get ready!

The hardest part will be the swim for you as open water swimming does take some getting used to, especially going in a straight line to where you need to be! But there are loads of places to do it, even very inland - I swim at a trout farm and in the boating lake of a stately home for instance (as part of organised sessions). You'll need a swimming wetsuit

I did my first triathlon on a hybrid bike, but road bikes are a lot faster

Yes, definitely will be getting some open water practice in. We are on holiday in Scotland at the end of Aug so hoping it might be possible up there as well as getting some cycling in.

The idea of open water swimming is quite scary, but that's part of the point. Face the fears, out of my comfort zone.

Where are you holidaying in Scotland? On the off chance that it may be an area that I can point you to good swimming venues!

There will be an open water swimming venue near you. We are in the midland and there are 4 within 20 miles that we use. DS is a triathlete and swims once a month open water and in the pool the rest of the time.

Best suggestion would be to join a local triathlon club as they will have swim and bike sessions that cater for beginners.

The only local triathlon club is only for juniors, nothing else.

We are staying in the Cairngorms on holiday :)

Just found Box End Park in Bedford. But I have to be able to swim a continuous 800m first. So that is what I will be aiming for for next summer opening there.

British Triathlon will be able to point you in the direction of local clubs as some are small and don't have a high profile.

Loch Morlich is great in the Cairngorms and is where the Aviemore Triathlon Swim is! It’s on the 25th August this year if you want to see some great swimmers/triathletes in action.

Look at this blog for wild swimming in the Cairngorms;

blog.visitcairngorms.com/go-wild-wild-swimming-in-the-cairngorms-with-our-10-top-tips/

If there is no adult triathlon club, is there a masters swimming club?
I don't do open water myself, but many of my fellow masters club swimmers do.
To join my club you need to be over 21 and be able to swim a length. Maybe some adult lessons first?

We do have a masters club, that'll be good to join once I've got my technique sorted, thanks!

Thanks for all the advice, we will be near aviemore on that date so will try and get there to see. We are staying near Loch Insh which is mentioned on the blog so I might take some kit and have a go in there one morning.