Any triathletes?
 

I'm looking at doing a 1/2 Ironman sometime next year.

Wondering what I should do over the winter to maintain my fitness level in order to be ready to start a tri-specific training planning in early spring. I'm wondering both about activities as well as amount of excercise.

Any tips/suggestions?

I race in triathlons and the best training is consistent, good-technique training. You need to be more specific as to what level you are at in each event. What's your weakest event?
How many triathlons have you done? Have you raced in any sprint or olympic distance triathlons? What kind of diet are you currently using?

Let me know so that I can give you some ideas on how to be ready for the half next year.

I've completed one sprint distance tri a few weeks ago, and will be doing my second sprint distance tri in 3 weeks.

both swimming and running were brand new sports to me when I first started training 2 1/2 months ago. I had done a moderate amount of biking off and on for several years.

I've always been more of a fast-twitch muscle guy, so I'm looking at ways to work on my endurance. To that end I'm seriously considering looking at ramping up my running routine for training for a marathon thats about 18 weeks out. I've looked around at various marathon training plans and found many that are 14-16 weeks of training. The reasons I'm looking at doing a marathon are several: 1) To see if I really enjoy distance events. 2) To give myself a taste of what it will take to complete the 1/2 ironman distance, and ultimately a full ironman. 3) Hoping it help adapt my physiology more towards the slow-twitch side. 4) Shed the last 15 lbs or so that I've been working on cutting.

Right now my diet is around 45-45-10 carb-protein-fat. I know thats probably higher in the protein and lower in carbs than is typically recommended for tri and endurance training. I'm planning on shifting to the higher carbs once I get my body fat % down to around 12% (currently ~17%).

I don't necessarily desire to be competitive. My motivation for doing tris started with to get back in shape, but now I've found myself bitten by "the bug" and am continuing to pursue the sport because of the immense challenge and personal satisfaction in reaching deep inside to see what I'm made of.

Rather then start a new topic, I'll ask my question here. I am interested in competing in a triathalon for the fun of it. I can handle the running and the biking part fine enough. It is the swimming. I have never swam competively and barely know one stroke. What would be the best way to train for the swimming part?

The most important thing is to just get in the water and swim. Also do some reading on swimming technique. Swimming is 99% feeling comfortable in the water and moving efficiently. Before I did my first tri this summer, it had been a LONG time since I had been in a pool, and had never truly swam any distance before. My first swim workout, I nearly gave up the idea of doing a tri on the spot because I could barely do a length of the pool. By my 4th swim workout I was doing a couple hundred yards at a time and had much improved. A good place to check out is www.trinewbies.com... check out their "getting started" section. Also there's a great book for beginning triathletes by Eric Harr. Its definitely worth the money. Keep reviewing the swim techniques in between each swim workout you do and each time you go out focus on one or two aspects of your technique and make sure you get those portions right. Don't get frustrated by the difficulty of swimming early on... it'll come to you.

If you have more questions, post 'em, or feel free to PM me. :)

Thanks a bunch winsecure.