Can I do a short triathlon in 6mo?

[beth144]

Just curious what more experienced athletes think about this. I have 3 kids ages 5, 3, 6mo and I would like to do a benefit triathlon in Aug (its 15mi total). My current fitness level is pretty low and I have about 20-30lbs to lose, but i feel like i really want to do this. My husband is very supportive and wants to help any way he can. Do you think its possible? Anyone done something similar?

[JayGee]

Absolutely!!!!  In 2007, I trained for and completed my first sprint distance triathlon with a 5 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old.  I signed up for the race in January, started training with a local triathlon group at our Y, and raced the first weekend in July.  I also started out about 30 pounds overweight and with the training, was 20 pounds down by the start!  It was a fantastic experience and I have continued racing triathlons 3-4x a summer since then.  My advice is to start out easy, find some friends or a group who are at your same level to train with (check your YMCA for a training group), and do it!  Triathlons can be kind of addictive though, so beware!

[beth144]

thank you so much for your reply! this really does give me hope that it can be done. Unfortunately, the nearest Y is 45min away, so that's not going to be possible, but there is one local gym 10min away and a pool about 30min away. i also have access to a gym of sorts for free during the day (its actually where my husband trains for his jui jitsu tournaments). any other advice is much appriciated! i'm  thinking of starting at home just doing what i can and focusing on diet and then transitioning to the "other" stuff. what do you think? should i just start right now joining the gym and pool?

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by beth144 

thank you so much for your reply! this really does give me hope that it can be done. Unfortunately, the nearest Y is 45min away, so that's not going to be possible, but there is one local gym 10min away and a pool about 30min away. i also have access to a gym of sorts for free during the day (its actually where my husband trains for his jui jitsu tournaments). any other advice is much appriciated! i'm  thinking of starting at home just doing what i can and focusing on diet and then transitioning to the "other" stuff. what do you think? should i just start right now joining the gym and pool?

Sorry it too me so long to reply.  I've been sick with the flu for 10 days and finally feel a little better.  How is your swimming?  Is the triathlon going to be a pool swim or a lake swim?  If you're not a strong swimmer, finding a way to get to a pool at least once a week is really important.  Can you take spin classes anywhere?  When I first started training, I built up a lot of bike endurance just by taking spin classes.  In fact, I think the first 4 month of cycling were entirely indoors because I didn't even own a bike yet!  Endurance is where your main work will be.  Even a mini sprint distance race will take over an hour, so you need to be able to "go" for at least that long.  I say start training now, as much as you can.  Run, ride a bike indoors, swim if you can.  Good luck!