For Starters

Some of you may want to ask, “So how did you get started?” so I will go ahead and answer that question.  I started running a few times and failed to keep at it, so I know it is a daunting task.  The amazing thing is that once you get into a routine, it really isn’t that hard to keep at it.  The trick is to get over the hump.  I would recommend almost forcing yourself to be consistent with any exercise routine for at least 3 to 4 weeks in you want to have any hopes of being able to continue.  And remember that there are always excuses not to exercise, but you have to look past those immediate excuses and keep your sights focused on your goals.  I assume this would apply to most forms of exercise or anything challenging for that matter, but I will comment on how I started to swim, bike and run below.

Since I first started to run, I will comment on a few of the things I have learned along the way.  First, start with an achievable goal.  I came from somewhat of a running background since I ran track in high school and I had run 2 miles before, so I wanted to work towards a new distance.  A 5K was perfect for me and since that is generally the shortest road race you will find, it worked to work towards a 5K race.  The first one should be completed with no regard to time.  Just finish.  Then work on it from there.  If you are anything like me, once you finish you will want to do it again and do it faster.

Once you have a goal, decide how you will achieve it.  For me, this was extremely simple by using the First Day to 5K IPod Podcast.  You simply walk when it tells you to and run when it tells you to.  It will gradually bring you from running a minute at a time to running 30 in about 10 weeks.  That should get you to the 5K distance. 

Some pointers for beginner runners:

1. Stretch.  This is vital.  I subscribed to the stretching routine I found at www.REI.com.  You can find it, along with a slew of other great info here.  It is as important to stretch after a run as it is to stretch before.  Take the few minutes and do it properly.
2. Get good shoes. Again, this is vital. Make sure that you are properly fitted at a specialty store, at least for the first pair until you know what kind of shoe works best for you. They make different shoes for the different ways people land on their feet when they run. If you have the wrong kind of shoe, you can create knee injuries or worse. I would certainly recommend the fitting system at TrySports. They put a pair of shoes on you and actually take video of your feet as you run on a treadmill. They then analyze the video with a computer system to determine which type of shoe you need. Everyone I have talked to there knows their stuff. If you aren’t close by to one of their stores, try to find one like them.
3. Nutrition. I will write more detailed blog posts regarding nutrition, but it is important enough to touch on here. Obviously, you need to hydrate while doing any exercise, but nutrition goes beyond that. I have learned many things regarding nutrition for athletes from Hammer Nutrition. They have endless research and information for free on there website and I currently use several of their products. Again, more on that to come.
4. Have fun! Make sure that when you are running, you enjoy it. Whether it is good music that gets you going or dressing up to be funny, have fun and you will keep it up.

For beginner bikers:

1. The bike isn’t the most important thing at first.  In fact, I am still riding a mountain bike that I have had for 6 years.  I changed the tires to a “hybrid” tire that has no tread like a mountain tire, but is wider than a normal road tire so I can use the same wheels.  I also picked up a set of aero bars at an REI garage sale.  These help you get into a more aerodynamic position and, for me, it is more comfortable for longer rides.  Eventually I will purchase a nice tri bike, but the point is you can get started without having to invest a lot if you already own some form of bicycle.
2. Learn your area.  Know where and when it will be best to ride your bike on the roads.  My area is very poor for riding on the roads as I expect most areas of the country are.  There are no bike lanes designated on any of the roads around me, so I am forced to share a lane of traffic with 2,000 pound vehicles that are travelling twice as fast as I am.  Not the best of situations to say the least, but it is what it is.  Make sure to wear a helmet and increase your life insurance policy.  Seriously, it pays to know when and where to ride so you can reduce your risk on the road.
3. Stretch.  I do the same stretches before and after the bike that I do for the run.

For beginning swimmers:

1. Practice.  I should point out that before this whole triathlon thing, I already knew how to swim.  I learned as a kid, but I never competed nor did I ever learn how to do it “properly”.  I simply knew how to stay afloat and get from point A to point B.
2. Learn.  My brother in law, Alex, loaned me his copy of Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin.  It teaches the most efficient way to swim and it has helped me a great deal.
3. Did I say practice?  The only way to get comfortable with anything is to do it over and over.  And for me anyway, swimming is far from comfortable.  Breathing is the most difficult to get used to for me and only repetition seems to make it any easier.

I will go into greater detail in future posts, but I thought it would may help to touch on the biggest issues that I came across as I started this triathlon thing.  Keep checking back in for more.