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2014-09-04 7:13 PM


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Subject: New to tri's
I am super new to tri and I am preparing to take part in the KC sprint tri next year. I have dropped 40lbs and still trucking down. I work in Overland Park and live in Raytown, mo. I could use a whole lot of advice and help. Any good tips advice getting started? I have been running and biking a lot but I am not sure what all I am going to need for the tri next year. Thanks so much in advance for any help.


2014-09-05 9:32 AM
in reply to: Jon85

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Subject: RE: New to tri's
Originally posted by Jon85

I am super new to tri and I am preparing to take part in the KC sprint tri next year. I have dropped 40lbs and still trucking down. I work in Overland Park and live in Raytown, mo. I could use a whole lot of advice and help. Any good tips advice getting started? I have been running and biking a lot but I am not sure what all I am going to need for the tri next year. Thanks so much in advance for any help.


Welcome to the board. There is a pretty good cross section that participate here with a wide range of experience and abilities. Your journey doesn't sound too different from mine. I started tris 3 years ago from zero and since then have completed about 16 races (Sprint, Olympic and 70.3).

Your question is sort of vague....my best advice would be to visit often and read lots on this site. Read some race reports. Also, at the top of this site is a link to "Articles> Beginners" and some good resources.

For actually doing your first sprint tri...you can get by with very little: goggles, any bike, helmet, race belt, running shoes. Since KC Tri is in early May, it's likely to be cold water and a wet-suit is not a bad idea (you want a triathlon wet-suit for swimming, not a tradition scuba suit!). Also, you can look into a pair of tri-shorts and a tri-top. However, you do not need these. Tons of people compete in basic athletic gear. I did my first tri as an indoor-sprint distance and I wore a pair of Nike Pro combat compression shorts and a Pro combat top.

As you do more, I can guarantee that your list of "needs and wants" for triathlon will grow and sort themselves out.

You can spend massive amounts of money on this sport: race wheels, aero helmets, carbon fiber everything, power meters, blah blah blah. You don't *need* any of this stuff (especially to start out). That said, once you get hooked on the sport, you'll probably *want* it. That's ok. But since it sounds like you're whipping yourself into shape, you likely can start with the very basics and go from there.
2014-09-05 10:13 AM
in reply to: dprocket

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Subject: RE: New to tri's
I'd suggest finding a training plan. When I first started out, I just figured I was supposed to be running, swimming, and biking every single day. While you can do this (and many people do), having something structured helped me out immensely. There are free plans on here and other sites, my first few years I just used these. You can find plans incorporating time, distance, pacing, heart rate zones, power for the bike, but in all honesty, the simpler the better. I'm not sure of your background, but I'd just try and get a feel for the 3 sports and go from there.

I also agree with reading a bunch this fall and winter on what to expect, how to train, what to eat while training, etc. There are fantastic resources here, and the forums can have surprisingly helpful advice (BUT also the opposite...).

Don't go and buy a $10k bike (unless that's your thing. and if it is, I'd love to talk to you about sponsoring me...). There is a bunch of gear you do need to have initially (bike, preferably road but any will do, running shoes, goggles, etc), but most of the other things you will accumulate over time. I raced on a POS 85 Cannondale that didn't shift for 2 years, including a 70.3...

Welcome to triathlon. The community has been one of the most welcoming I've been apart of. If you have any specific questions, let us know!

mark
2014-09-05 2:48 PM
in reply to: m.a.burghart


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Subject: RE: New to tri's
Thanks so much for the response guys! I have been kind of poking around some of the plans and reading some of the info. I appreciate the answers also. I hope to not have to do the bike portion on my current 70's schwinn varsity but from reading this it sounds like it a better bike isnt neccesary at first. You mentioned it being chilly and I was thinking the same thing. Is there a place in the area that you would recomend for a trisuit? I
2014-09-05 4:12 PM
in reply to: Jon85

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Subject: RE: New to tri's
Originally posted by Jon85

Thanks so much for the response guys! I have been kind of poking around some of the plans and reading some of the info. I appreciate the answers also. I hope to not have to do the bike portion on my current 70's schwinn varsity but from reading this it sounds like it a better bike isnt neccesary at first. You mentioned it being chilly and I was thinking the same thing. Is there a place in the area that you would recomend for a trisuit? I


A trisuit you can wear for any race, cold or not. It's shorts are basically a spandex-type material with some light padding in the butt. The top is the same material, but usually has a pocket in the back and a zipper in front. You can get a onesie model. I have purchased from Sierra Trading post: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~triathlon/?perPage=24

If you get on their email list, you'll find that they pretty much always have some sort of 35-40% off sale. Ultramax in Praire Village has tri-suits in stock that you can try on.

Since you mentioned the temperature...you may be referring to a wetsuit. There are lots of websites for wetsuits, but the one I've used is Xterra. They have pretty big discounts from this site if you watch the banner ads. There is a current thread on the wetsuit topic over on the Tri Talk forum with some good info.

2014-09-05 5:10 PM
in reply to: dprocket


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Subject: RE: New to tri's
Thanks so much!!


2014-10-21 4:15 PM
in reply to: Jon85

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Subject: RE: New to tri's
welcome to the crazy world of triathlon. you're going to love it
2015-02-28 4:27 PM
in reply to: #5047048


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Subject: RE: New to tri's
Hi there! I don't have any great advice, but I am also new to tri's and am signed up for the KC tri as my first one, too!!! Good luck training-"see" you there!!
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