middle-aged beginner?

[Jean S. Barto]

Hi Folks--

Been thinking lately of training for sprint to Olympic distance triathlons, primarily because my
body (mostly legs) can no longer take the wear and tear of just running, and I need to burn more
calories than when I was younger.

When I'm in shape and at a lighter weight I'm a 29:30 5K runner. Right now I'm recovering from an
injury and can only run 1/4 mile or so before stopping to walk a bit. No idea on swimming or bike
times, but I'm definitely faster swimming than running right now. I'm female, 48 years old, 5'3"
tall and weigh 153 lbs right now, should weigh 120 or so.

Are there websites/training programs out there for middle-aged beginners? Most sites out there seem
to be geared to younger folks, or in any case those with natural athletic prowess!

thanks in advance,

Jean in VA

--
"If you are going through hell, keep going."

Winston Churchill

 

[Steve Freides]

www.trinewbies.com

-S-

"Jean S. Barto" wrote:
>
> Hi Folks--
>
> Been thinking lately of training for sprint to Olympic distance triathlons, primarily because my
> body (mostly legs) can no longer take the wear and tear of just running, and I need to burn more
> calories than when I was younger.
>
> When I'm in shape and at a lighter weight I'm a 29:30 5K runner. Right now I'm recovering from an
> injury and can only run 1/4 mile or so before stopping to walk a bit. No idea on swimming or bike
> times, but I'm definitely faster swimming than running right now. I'm female, 48 years old, 5'3"
> tall and weigh 153 lbs right now, should weigh 120 or so.
>
> Are there websites/training programs out there for middle-aged beginners? Most sites out there
> seem to be geared to younger folks, or in any case those with natural athletic prowess!
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Jean in VA
>
> --
> "If you are going through hell, keep going."
>
> Winston Churchill

 

[Topdog]

"Jean S. Barto" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<BQ1Ea.1405$1D1.1152@lakeread01>...
> Hi Folks--
>
> Been thinking lately of training for sprint to Olympic distance triathlons, primarily because my
> body (mostly legs) can no longer take the wear and tear of just running, and I need to burn more
> calories than when I was younger.
>
> When I'm in shape and at a lighter weight I'm a 29:30 5K runner. Right now I'm recovering from an
> injury and can only run 1/4 mile or so before stopping to walk a bit. No idea on swimming or bike
> times, but I'm definitely faster swimming than running right now. I'm female, 48 years old, 5'3"
> tall and weigh 153 lbs right now, should weigh 120 or so.
>
> Are there websites/training programs out there for middle-aged beginners? Most sites out there
> seem to be geared to younger folks, or in any case those with natural athletic prowess!
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Jean in VA

Check with your local runner's store, or the nearest one. Same for a tri store or swimmer's store.
They should have a list of coaches - many offer beginner's level classes for a reasonable fee. Here
locally, they offer a 10 week program several times a year for like $150. I'd imagine that you
should be able to find something similar there.

 

[Theodor Seiz]

I dont think that trinewbies is of any relevance to you. If I were you I´d:

1. Check my cardiovascular health and get a doctors clearance
2. Check my lactate levels running and biking and get my individual training zones
3. Train for about 5-10 hours - something like: week 1: 5h week 2: 6h week 3: 7h week 4: 5h
(Recovery) week 5: 5,5 h week 6: 6,5 h week 7: 7,5 h week 8: 5 h (Recovery)

Train only in zone I and II and only in I during recovery weeks.

4. DONT DIET !!!! - Try to eat healthy food but never mix training with diet. Eat whatever you like
but try to like apples more than alcohol, white wheat and sweets

5. Dont compete for 1/2 a year
6. Have the test in 2 redone after 6 months and get a decent trainer than

7. Have your first sprint triathlons not in the zone recommended but much easier - Ironman pace.
Nobody cares how fast you are and you will feel much better - and its easier to improve when you
get experienced and can race at higher intensities.

Feel free to email me for questions - but I am a beginner myselve [email protected]

>> Been thinking lately of training for sprint to Olympic distance triathlons, primarily because my
>> body (mostly legs) can no longer take the wear and tear of just running, and I need to burn more
>> calories than when I was younger.
>>
>> When I'm in shape and at a lighter weight I'm a 29:30 5K runner. Right now I'm recovering from an
>> injury and can only run 1/4 mile or so before stopping to walk a bit. No idea on swimming or bike
>> times, but I'm definitely faster swimming than running right now. I'm female, 48 years old, 5'3"
>> tall and weigh 153 lbs right now, should weigh 120 or so.
>>
>> Are there websites/training programs out there for middle-aged beginners? Most sites out there
>> seem to be geared to younger folks, or in any case those with natural athletic prowess!
>>
>> thanks in advance,
>>
>> Jean in VA
>>
>> --
>> "If you are going through hell, keep going."
>>
>> Winston Churchill

 

[Steve Freides]

Theodor Seiz wrote:
>
> I dont think that trinewbies is of any relevance to you. If I were you I´d: -snip-

Why? It's a fine site for someone considering their first triathlon. And I don't know why she ought
to take your advice over that on trinewbies.

-S- http://www.kbnj.com

 

[Theodor Seiz]

On Sat, 07 Jun 2003 15:26:56 -0400, Steve Freides <[email protected]> wrote:

>Theodor Seiz wrote:
>>
>> I dont think that trinewbies is of any relevance to you. If I were you I´d: -snip-
>
>Why? It's a fine site for someone considering their first triathlon. And I don't know why she ought
>to take your advice over that on trinewbies.
>
>-S- http://www.kbnj.com

I agree with not taking my advice, but I am still not convinced of trinewbies being relevant for
beginners. Most of the training advice there - especially the training plans - offer far too much
variety and speed work for people without a proper base. And a step by step approach should - in my
opinion - start with a doctors clearance.

Other than that, I think that an absolute beginner gets lost there and recommend half a year of base
training before starting to train for specific events. I like trinewbies a lot and think its very
good for beginners with about a year of base training under theyre belt, a decent endurance base and
the rules and tools of the road (or pool) firmly established.

My advice is simply not to dive into semi professional training before knowing how to handle
yourselve in the pool, on the bike or running. My recommendation was highly personal, I admit being
a beginner myselve (though I think already on trinewbies level :- ) )... In this sport you are a
beginner for a long time and I think that with some experience (slow races and base training) you
profit more from the excellent advice given there.

 

[Tom Henderson]

Steve Freides <[email protected]> wrote in news:3EE23C80.A06B3FD0 @fridayscomputer.com:

> Theodor Seiz wrote:
>>
>> I dont think that trinewbies is of any relevance to you. If I were you Iïd: -snip-
>
> Why? It's a fine site for someone considering their first triathlon.
>

Or their 50th, for that matter.

 

[Jim Gosse]

1. On the tri-newbies web site for a 10 week sprint beginner program, the very first line is consult
your physician.

2. On the program, week one consists of one 200 yard swim, two 5 mile bike rides, and two 1 mile
runs. I'd hardly consider this a semi pro program, and you couldn't get more simple.

3. They give rules of thumb to keep your training target heart rate in check without bothering with
lactate testing.

4. Taylor this or any other schedule to fit your personal schedule.

Best of luck, I hope all this info is not too much for you to take in. Triathlon is a great sport.
You'll probably meet some nice people once you get started, and remember, everyone had to start
somewhere.

"Theodor Seiz" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 07 Jun 2003 15:26:56 -0400, Steve Freides <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Theodor Seiz wrote:
> >>
> >> I dont think that trinewbies is of any relevance to you. If I were you I´d: -snip-
> >
> >Why? It's a fine site for someone considering their first triathlon. And I don't know why she
> >ought to take your advice over that on trinewbies.
> >
> >-S- http://www.kbnj.com
>
> I agree with not taking my advice, but I am still not convinced of trinewbies being relevant for
> beginners. Most of the training advice there - especially the training plans - offer far too much
> variety and speed work for people without a proper base. And a step by step approach should - in
> my opinion - start with a doctors clearance.
>
> Other than that, I think that an absolute beginner gets lost there and recommend half a year of
> base training before starting to train for specific events. I like trinewbies a lot and think its
> very good for beginners with about a year of base training under theyre belt, a decent endurance
> base and the rules and tools of the road (or pool) firmly established.
>
> My advice is simply not to dive into semi professional training before knowing how to handle
> yourselve in the pool, on the bike or running. My recommendation was highly personal, I admit
> being a beginner myselve (though I think already on trinewbies level :- ) )... In this sport you
> are a beginner for a long time and I think that with some experience (slow races and base
> training) you profit more from the excellent advice given there.