Ok, so Sunday was the third time I watched the Ironman (http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com/) competition in my grand ole town - Madison, WI. Such energy and power! Such friendly volunteers!

Every time I watch I think: I would love to do this! But that's all I do about that desire. I'm tired of just wishing. It's time for action. The 2005 slots in the Madison Ironman is already filled, but 2006 is two years away and I think that's plenty of time to train (even to see if I like triathlons!). It would be wonderful to do it in my own town - with friends and family near. Ultimately, for me it's about seeing how far I can push myself. My goal is to cross the finish line. I've started to do the research. I've got a friend who knows others who have competed in the Ironman (regular people - not just pros) and she's going to hook me up with them.

Anybody else interested in reaching their Ironman dream in 2006? We can share links, tips, pain, frustration, joy, through this thread. There must be some people on this board who have competed in an Ironman and can pass on some advice. Haven't WonderRandy and Ennui talked about doing the Ironman...

:hamster: :hamster: :hamster:

Wow. Kudos to you! My big honking goal is a 5K sometime this winter. But I'll cheer for you! :hamster:

Wow. Kudos to you! My big honking goal is a 5K sometime this winter. But I'll cheer for you! :hamster:

I'm running my first 5K this Thanksgiving! It's a little goal, but it is a good one.

Good luck, Gashly! I have a few triathlete friends who love it. Let the less ambitious of us know how your training goes.

Jes

Try the Ironman in Hawaii!! THE official Ironman triathlon. The Big Kahuna, so to speak...

right here, on my island, next month... :D

So if I train for an Ironman say in 3 years, I would have the perfect excuse to come to Hawaii????

Hmmm...I could get in on that. :D
But the bikes cost like, $500 at the cheapest...which is money I don't even come close to having. lol.

you need to spend WAY more than $500 for a proper competition racing bike....

whoa! slow down a little, peeps! a big goal is a great idea, but hey, it's small steps that get you there!

about 5 years ago, i did triathlon training. There are ways to train, to prepare, and reach your goals.

first, check out the web site TriNewbies (http://trinewbies.com). This is a great place to get started on the whole process. lots of support, Q and A, and message boards, etc.

next, don't freak on equipment. For a beginner, you just need access to stuff. First, you'll need a place to swim. Second, you'll need a place to run and some decent running shoes thta fit your feet. Third, you'll need a bike and a place to bike.

the third one is one that often "gets" people. While randy is right, you may eventually need a good competition bike that costs over $1000, in the beginning you dont' need that. Wait until you get through at least 6 or so tris before you spend big bucks on a bike!

in the mean time, how to find a bike? lots of ways. First, if you have a good amount of cash, check out used bikes at a bike shop. You may get a good $1000 bike for under $500. You may get a $500 bike for $200. get the idea?

if you don't have that kind of money, there are still ways to go: garage sales. Yes, you heard correct. What you'll need to do before you shop this way is prepare. Go to your local bike shop and get measured out. Find out what size frame you need and what that looks like (how to measure a bike frame). Then, when you are out hitting garage sales looking for bikes, you know what size frame to buy. You could get a bike for $10 or $15, depending upon the quality. If the tires are flat, the chain rusty, and whatever, but the frame is the right size, then buy it for under $10. Take it to the bike shop and have it given a good once-over and fitted to you. You may put a lot into it (over $100); yu may put a little. While you're there, become a bike techie. You'll need this if you do race or ride frequently. SO, while they're fixing your bike up, ask if you can work along side them and ask questions. Sometimes, if you're doing the labor, but using their tools, the whole cost is much less (because you're not paying for labor).

Essentially, you can get a working bike for as little as $10 (some are in great condition even then), or get a good frame and get it to good working condition for as little as $60. My bike cost me $60 and it was tricked out for triathlons.

when buying running shoes, i would buy the mid-level running shoe that works for me. That is, mid priced. I'd buy two pairs of said running shoes, because you're going to use them. alternate their use so that they break down less quickly. YOu'll probably buy shoes every three-five months, so save up for them. Also, if you buy nike, they will "recycle" your old shoes and send you coupons for new ones. good way to recycle and save cash.

swimming equipment: you'll need a suit, a cap, and goggles to start with. not terribly expensive--the whole thing probably around $60 if the suit is this season, not on sale. mine recently cost me $40, but if they'd had my size on the sale rack, it coulda cost me $15. not bad. goggles and swim cap were $6 each. so, $52 for my whole gig.

in the winter, the swim parts of tris are often indoors. summer you can suit it out doors. in between, i'd hit indoor swim legs until you want to invest in a wet suit. good places to check? used from dive shops and surf shops. they can be pricey depending upon the brand. But, again, if you stick to the indoor swims, you won't need one for a while.

The main thing is to get the basics so that you can start on the training. You may not like the training, so no need to invest up front. Get into the training, and see if you like it. If you like it, then go forward and start buying basic, inexpensive equipment (unless you have money to burn).

your first goal should be a sprint triathlon. Because of the way i train, i set a goal to be sprint tri ready by a certain date (and picked the tri). For me, sprint tri ready meant that i could cover olympic distance training--not "comfortably," but i could do it regularly. Then, i felt ready for a sprint distance tri.

iBy the time my friend passed and i stopped swimming (she was a swim partner of mine, so it hurt to swim), i was half way into iron man training from olympic distance training. from beginning to end, it took about a year and some.

good luck everyone--have fun!

zoebird-- wow, thanks for all the advice! That all sounds so great. I'm only 17, but am hoping to do a tri soon.. I run about 5 miles a day and do a lot of cycling and swimming as well. I know it will be hard, but you cleared things up a little. Thanks! :D

you need to spend WAY more than $500 for a proper competition racing bike....

Yeah, I know, but you can get a halfway decent road bike for $500.

chels:

it's not terribly hard. sprint distance isn't far. some are smaller than others, but it's something like 1000 in the water, 18 mi bike, 5 k. i think. could be less or more. trinewbies will know more. :)

start there. get your feet wet; used to the competition.

Very thorough advice zoebird. As I said before, I still need to find out if I like triathlons, but Ironman will be my goal. I've discovered the UW triathlon club ($45/yr) for training and advice, so I know that will help me immensely. Others may have something similar in their towns. Madison also has a group called Head Hunters (which I think have clubs all over the country), but I'm going to check out the UW group first as I use UW facilities to train. The club even carpools to competitions, so that'll be good. Another positive about joining a club is that they usually have sponsors that provide discounts on things like clothes, bikes, etc.

Thanks for the support everyone. I'm nervous, but it isn't like I'm starting completely out of shape. I bike, run, lift weights, and I used to be on a swim team (so I'm completely comfortable in the water). If anything, starting this training will lead me to new friends and that is always good, right?

Jes: Good luck. You sound like you have a positive outlook, so I'm sure you will succeed. Let me know how it goes, ok?

Rincaro: Goals are always good. Do you have a race picked out?

Hmmm, You have me thinking about this. I ran the Mad city marathon in May, I would like to up that.

Well slynny, the only way we'll do it is if we start to take steps in that direction. I joined the UW Triathlon Team and am glad I did. SO much knowledge there. I've started swimming again (endurance training so far) and lifting weights. Later this week it will be some biking and running. I thought of just doing weights alone, but I'm glad I went with the team. I met some really educated/friendly people and learned some intense new exercises. Not to mention you push yourself just a little bit harder with a group (it was me - a girl - with 4 guys at 7am!). I'm so excited. Let me know if you start to take the steps...

Well, I've started to look into this a bit more. I think the swimming is probably my weakest area and I'm a real baby about temps when it comes to swimming...even indoors. I guess I'll have to toughen up won't I. I will be able to swim at the high school pool in the winter and we also have gizmo to set a bike on to train indoors and a treadmill. I'll be training this winter and spring for the GreenBay marathon in May. I'll have to find a triathlon to shoot for early this summer, do you have any links or are next years schedules not out yet? I haven't been able to find much.

I can't run at all right now. I have no problems doing 30-45 minutes on the eliptical at a moderatley hard pace, but as soon as I go outside I make it like a block. My hope was that I could get in decent shape over the winter and do a tri in the spring (a little one) but it doesn't look like its going to happen. Plus, the bikes are crazy expensive....how the heck does anyone do this?! lol.
Oh, slynny, try www.trifinder.com . They have listing for every state.

Slynny: This is the most comprehensive list of Wisconsin events I've seen yet (still waiting for them to post 2005 dates):
Wisconsin Triathalator (http://www.trifind.com/nf/wi.html)
At the very least it gives you an idea of what is going on in the state...

Rainbowmoon: There's still time to train! I know you can build endurance for a sprint tri by the spring if you start a regular program. Take a look at The Triathlete's Training Bible. I also have a book at home that actually breaks down workout schedules for unfit vs. fit beginners for sprint and olympic distance triathlons. I'll pass the name on to you if you're interested. As for difficulty with running, I know what you mean as running is my weakest area. But one thing I read (in the TT Bible) is that you have do do the actual activity or you will not build aerobic endurance in that area - it is called specificity. So working on an elliptical will not help you with your running (as you've discovered). Per the TT Bible, "Running and cross-country skiing appear quite similar since many of the same muscles are used in almost the same manner. Yet scientific studies have shown that there is no relationship between the aerobic capacities of running and cross-country skiing. To acheive peak fitness for running, you must run." Other workouts are good for variety, but only doing the actual tri activities builds endurance in those sports. Interesting eh? So give it a chance and start to do the three workouts to build endurance: swim, bike, and run. I know you can do it if you believe in yourself!

As for cheaper bikes, there is a huge used (and new?) bike sale in Madison in January. I'll post more details when I get them.

Thanks, Gashly. I've wanted to do the tri thing for awhile now, but thus far I've been scared off by some aspects of it. I think I have a plan though....
I intend to just work out generally thoughtout the fall/winter, doing a variety of things-running, swimming, biking, but also some cross training- then when spring comes I will train more through the spring/summer, and do a short tri in the fall. This way, I have the summer to make money to purchase a bike.
Right now I am fairly fit and I have a good capacity for biking, but really, my running and swimming need a lot of work. I have swimming class all winter long, so that will help a lot with that- I just have to get out there and run. Ooh, so evil, running in the winter. :evil:

Oh, and nice sig...:lol:

Rainbowmoon: Glad to hear that you have a plan. It's hard to work on the things that you're weak on (for me it's the running). I hope it's a good class. You might also want to pick up Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin. Everyone in tri's knows about this method.

"The TI method makes such sense. Now I watch other swimmers beating themselves up while I'm gliding and skating and, better yet, enjoying my workout. It is as if I have a secret. Yes, my laps are happy laps." Barb Lloyd praises TI in the book. It's used at Australia's leading swim school. But this book is easy for anyone to read, not just pros.

I just picked up a copy last night and am quite excited about it. Apparently swimming in tri's is different from other swimming (I used to be on a swim team). More arms and less legs. I'm gonna start reading it as soon as I post this...

Ironman has intrigued me as well. I would be worried about the 18 hour time limit though based on my marathon times.

I've done a sprint distance and those are fun. Don't forget you can also race at olympic and 1/2 ironman distance in the meantime. :)

There is nothing like racing to get you motivated. Good luck in with your goal! I think that joining a club is a step in the right direction.

Hehehehe, Captain, I have the same concerns if not more. Based on my marathon time and my average per mile time on the bike, the run and the bike would take about 10 hours. Then add the swim, which is my weak spot, and I have no idea what my swim time would be. And then, I think about how I felt after the marathon, and I wonder how I could even think about biking and swimming those distances the same day. A person would have to be out of their mind!!
Yep. So that’s why I’m shootin for it. My plan for 2005 is to do the marathon in spring, a triathlon early summer, and a tin man (half ironman) later in the summer. The problem I’m finding with my planned schedule is that there are no tin mans in late summer..so, we’ll see. But if I can do all that, then it’s full on training for the iron man. That’s my plan…so far anyway.

Gashly and rainbowmoon, thanks for the link…keep in touch!

Here's another link slynny. It includes some (if not all) triathlons in WI:
Running in the USA (http://www.runningintheusa.com/ShowLinks.asp?LinkType=race&State=WI)

As for late summer Tin Mans, what about going to one in another state?

Gashly, Thanks for the new link! I suppose I could look for a tin man in another state...but it would be easier to find one here. Have you decided on anything yet? I'm thinking about the Danskin Woman's Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie.

OMG, I have to do the Danskin! My first name is Andrea and the swim is in Lake Andrea! Crazy eh? I'm a dork, I know. By the way, I couldn't figure out how much the entry cost. Did you find it? I'll probably do this one if there isn't one in Madison around the same time. I'm still explorin' the options.

I'm also thinking about an "indoor" triathlon in Jan/Feb/or March. Sounds so strange that I better try one...

I'm also wondering if I could get in shape for the Chicago Marathon next October...