This takes a long time.

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2010-01-19 10:21 AM

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Subject: This takes a long time.
I've come to the realization, it takes way longer than 12 weeks to get ready for a tri.  I've done du's and tri's before, years ago and maybe I'm just getting older, 40 now, but I've been at it for a month now and there aint now way I'm gonna be ready for a race in 12 weeks.  Not a problem, I just dont want people to think, although I'm sure it's been done, you gonna be ready in 12 weeks.

2010-01-19 10:31 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
I think that depends on what your fitness level is to start with. I started training for my first sprint, 8 weeks out. While I was in no contention to win, I wasn't at the bottom either.
I was in good shape to start with(lifting and muscle wise, not cardio) so I believe that helped.
2010-01-19 10:34 AM
in reply to: #2621605


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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
Depends on the lenght of the tri.  I think almost anyone could finish a sprint with 12 weeks of training, not win their AG or anything...
2010-01-19 10:40 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Master
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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
For me, it was the same. But it was because I couldn't swim. That takes a long time to learn and then to be comfy in the water.  Despite having completed multiple marathons took almost a year before I was ready enough to do a tri (well, and that the weather would cooperate)
2010-01-19 10:46 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Ft. Lauderdale
Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
It seems like I'm gifted on the bike.  My run stinks and my swim is well, just as bad.
2010-01-19 10:49 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
This sport does take a while for one to  improve.  I trained for my first sprint tri in about 12 weeks from very little fitness ok well almost none.  But getting in shape to improve speed at the IM distance.... now we are talking like 2-3 years to get the base fitness and then another 3-5 to get your speed up nicely (for us not young mortals anyway).  This is why many refer to triathlon as a lifestyle and not just something one does every so often.   

2010-01-19 10:54 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
I'm a newb, and I just started training 2 weeks ago for the Boulder 70.3. I've never raced anything ever, and I just started running, biking, and swiming again. The running and biking are coming back, I just need to get the miles in. The swimming is starting to come, but I just need to get the breathing/timing technique tuned and work on endurance. I hope that I gave myself enough time to race and finish!! Ha Haaa!! I guess we'll see!!

Cheers!

-Nick
2010-01-19 10:59 AM
in reply to: #2621691

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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.

Baowolf - 2010-01-19 10:49 AM This sport does take a while for one to  improve.  I trained for my first sprint tri in about 12 weeks from very little fitness ok well almost none.  But getting in shape to improve speed at the IM ANY distance.... now we are talking like 2-3 years to get the base fitness and then another 3-5 to get your speed up nicely (for us not young mortals anyway).  This is why many refer to triathlon as a lifestyle and not just something one does every so often.   

One small adjustment to what you said. 

The years it takes differ from person to person, but you'll often find that the fastest people in sprints and Olys are the ones who have been training many, many hours for many years.

2010-01-19 11:01 AM
in reply to: #2621605

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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
Depends on where you start and where you wnat to finish. There are a lot of people who could go out and finish a sprint triathlon tomorrow with no specific training. I'd even say for most people 12 weeks is plenty of time to be ready to complete a sprint.
2010-01-19 11:38 AM
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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.

I did my first sprint triathlon with two weeks training at age 50.  I wasn't exactly coming off the couch and was in reasonable shape for my age (at that point I was doing five days/week at the gym and some running).  Made it to the finish, didn't finish last, and learned a whole lot about what I  needed to do in the future.

IMO, if you wait until you're think you're ready, then you'll probably never be there.

I agree with the old saying, "it's better to be 10% undertrained than 10% overtrained".

Go for it, have fun and learn from your experience. 

Mark

 

 

2010-01-19 11:59 AM
in reply to: #2621727

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.

the bear - 2010-01-19 11:01 AM Depends on where you start and where you wnat to finish. There are a lot of people who could go out and finish a sprint triathlon tomorrow with no specific training. I'd even say for most people 12 weeks is plenty of time to be ready to complete a sprint.

Hopefully in those 12 weeks they are doing some training.



2010-01-19 2:37 PM
in reply to: #2621605

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Master
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Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
Welcome to the 40's ChiefBrody!     I took the sport back up at 42 (I'll be 45 next month) after a 12 year layoff.  WOW! We're just not the same people we used to be.

At this age, we don't move nearly as fast and recover even slower. Take it slow and steady. I've had to deal with a lot of injuries because my mind still thinks it's 28 and I've often pushed myself too far before my body was ready.

I agree with everyone here that the amount of time it will take for you to get ready is relative to how out of shape you got yourself into during your time off.  I raced an OLY 8 weeks after starting back up and it damn near killed me. I wasn't dead last, but pretty dang close. 

Stick with it!!  All the hard work is worth it. Your accomplishments will mean more to you now than it ever did when you were young! 

2010-01-19 3:35 PM
in reply to: #2621605

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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: This takes a long time.
Fair enough.... but it takes more time to establish enough base just to complete an IM than to complete a Sprint.  But with the small amount of speed work I do, I have nothing but respect for the guys who focus on speed.  Way huger base to do a Sprint fast than to just do a sprint. 

That said, it is all hard, beginning, going longer, going longer or shorter faster, etc. ... that is what makes it fun and what makes 99 percent of the world shake their heads at us.  Which is fun also.

<-- myopic focus on the longer races that I am obsessing about currently, admitted shortcoming.  
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