I want to do a tri sprint

I am 2.5 years post op and I want to do a sprint.  I can run was running 12-13 min miles.  Havent run in a while hip sore, bike I have a trek road bike.  I can go distance not fast but endurance for distance.  Then there is swimming.  I can swim if you call it that.  I am looking for something here is california and I want to start with a pool swim. 
Not really too sure how to find them.
Secondly, I am not sure how to do any training or anything else.  I am not sure about transitions and how that all happens.
Thanks
Liz

Hi Liz,

I consider myself primarily a runner and do my bike and swim training around my running schedule.  I've heard that beginnertriathlete.com (I think that's the site) is a good place to find some training plans.  It's not hard to find race schedules online.  Active.com is one place, and trifind.com is another.  Also, once you find one to do, there are often ads for others in your race packet.

There are also triathlon clubs.  My town in Montana even has one, but I'm not a part of it.  I kind of do my own thing with some input from a few folks on this board. 

I'm not a good swimmer, and though I've had a few lessons a couple years ago, I could use more.  I'm going to see about that very soon.  It DOES take significant time in the water.  Pool swims usually allow you a certain amount of time to finish and then you have to get out whether you're done or not.  That happened to me in my first one.

There really are lots of good resources online to help with transitions and the like.  One important thing to do is what they call brick workouts.  If you read my race report, you'll know that when you get off the bike your legs will feel like lead.  The more practice you get runnig after getting off the bike, the less bad it will feel.

There really are lots of training plans, and I just make sure I swim 2-3 times a week and I generally do spin classes (also 2-3 times a week) as my bike training, but I also just barely got a bike.  Since you've got a good road bike, it'll be good to get a fair number of miles on it.  The training plans are such that you work up to the distances relatively slowly so you don't overdo.

Good luck finding a race you want to do, and feel free to ask specific questions any time.  Quite a few of us here have done some tris of various lengths.  Mine have all been sprint, but I'm looking forward to some longer ones next year.

Linn

Hi Liz.  Living in California you are in the golden land of triathlon races.   You could pretty much pick and choose any distance and experience level race all year long.   I use www.trifind.com to find my races.   Doing a quick look for races around L.A. next month there are a few sprints.  One in Ventura, the Spash N Dash supersprint series would probably be a great starter race.   (http://www.venturasplashndash.com/)

What I would also highly recommend is to find out what local triathlon clubs are available in your area and join one.  Most clubs have beginner clinics to go over what to expect for your first race regarding transitions, swimming, rules, etc.   The biggest benefit that you'll get out of a tri-club is the camaraderie, support and training partners. 

Lastly, don't worry yourself with how fast you can do this or that.  COMPLETE and don't worry about COMPETE.  Go into your first race with one thing in mind.  HAVE FUN!   I can promise you that you won't finish last and even if you did you know what they call the last guy or gal that cross the finish line?   A TRIATHLETE!

Best of luck!

Chad
www.team464.com