weight loss to triathalon

So one of my goals is to participate in a mini Triathalon.  Which is really amazing, since I did everything i could in Highschool and the rest of my life to avoid running. How did you guys that have done it get started? What seemed to be the most difficult part? I'm still over 300 pounds, but on the slide down, do you have any recommendations for starting now.  Currently I'm walking at the gym several times a week.  I was doing a 5k walk 3-5 times a week prior to surgery, and I'm trying to build back up to that now. Are there any exercises that you would recommend besides the run/bike/swim that would help to suppliment those. Thanks Scott

Scott, I am in the same boat.  I had surgery last month and have signed up for a sprint triathalon (however I will not be sprinting) in August. (500m swim, 10 mile bike, 5k run)  Since I live up north, Michigan, I am currently working on the 5k with daily workouts on the treadmill at the Gym.  My plan is to get my 5k time below 30 min by april or May, and then when it is warmer start my bike routine outdoors.  I swam on swim teams as a teen so I already have a good grasp on proper and effecient swimming technique so I will probably hit the pool in June.  My goal is not to break any records but finnish well, and possibly beat some of the guys I am doing it with. Jason 

Good luck Scott. Hang in there and you will get it. Derrick

Hey Scott.  First let me say that's a great goals.   It's an addicting sport and the personal rewards that you experience from finishing the races is amazing.  My schedule really kicks off on the 24th of this month in which I'm running the full Mardi Gras Marathon.  The following week I'm doing a sprint tri in Athens, TX.  The week after that I'm doing a sprint tri in Monroe, LA.  The week after that I'm doing the Crescent City Classic.   The week after THAT I'm doing the Rebel Man Sprint Tri in Oxford, MS.   I get a break for a few weeks then I do my first long course in Florida and then after that it's the Escape from Alcatraz tri in San Francisco at the beginning of June.  :)   I'm also in the lottery for the Ironman in Kona but I'm not booking any hotels or plane tickets for that one.   Getting into Kona is rather difficult and since I don't have a half-Ironman under my belt yet my chances are even slimmer.  

Check around your local area and see if there are any triathlon clubs.   They are a great resource for used equipment, group training and you get to seep the knowledge from some of the semi-pro or professional triathletes that will probably be in the club.    Most clubs will also hold clinics to help you improve on the three events as well.  

If I can recommend a few books:

- Slow, Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams
(My favorite and a great read for someone thinking about getting into the sport)
- Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham
(Great running book that has some great training plans.   Highly recommended and a great read.)
- It's Only a Mountain by Sam Neil I think.
(Need some inspiration?  This book is about Team Hoyt, the father / son team that has completed in multiple Ironman races, marathons and other events.)

and a couple of websites:

http://www.usatriathlon.org/  (Official U.S. National Triathlon Association)
http://www.trifind.com (Find an event in your area)

I have no strong events and I'm rather slow, my swim stroke is so inefficient and my bike is too small but I don't really care because I'm not in it to compete.  I'm it it to COMPLETE!  You know what they call the first guy AND the last guy to cross the finish line in a triathlon?  A TRIATHLETE!    

I'm off to try out my new wetsuit and my first open water swim.  :)  Best of luck bro!

Chad.

Check out Beginnertriathlete.com and trinewbies.com They have some good articles/advice, and yes, even more forums to browse from work. I've done tri's since 2003. My high weight was last summer at 336 and I trained and started the Racine 1/2 IM. Cramped bad in the swim as I wasn't used to the cold water of Lake Michigan, even with a wetsuit, so I didn't finish, but it's definitely a blast, addictive, etc... Make your only goal to have fun. It doesn't matter where/when you finish that first one. You'll be having so much fun. Once you've got one/a few under the belt, then you can start setting some goals. Guess kind of like sex. Looking back, it was fun, but if I knew what I know now and could go back, I think she would have been speaking different languages and singing opera all at once instead of the wham/bam job we did. You'll have a blast...  Jim

I too have been seeing tri as something I would have never before considered before surgery, but now am totally excited about it, despite some personal setbacks. The following website has a "big boy" couch to try workout.  Make sure you stay hydrate, and watch your nutrition as your activity levels dramatically increase. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?art icleid=262 Take care of yourself, and make sure you keep you don't over do it at the beginning...