Beginner Triathlete Training Blog

I’m going to enter in my first Triathlon in about 4 months and I was searching for some advice. I have no idea what I’m in store for so I was hoping that someone can give me some tips on training, equipment, etc. or any other sort of advice. Also, I have no idea what kind of bike to get. I don’t want to spend too much though
It’s a .75k swim, 20k bike, and 5k run

Not sure what distance you’re doing, or what you’re looking to spend on a bike. There are tri specific bikes, but I’d avoid them if you haven’t been riding a lot in the past. They are harder to handle, but will be more aerodynamic. I’d get a decent road bike that fits, and a set of aero bars if you want to ride more flat. This will give you about a 1 mph speed boost at the same effort (that’s what I’ve always heard, and feel like it’s accurate)

As for training, one of the best things I’ve found is to practice a "brick". Especially the bike/run segment. What this means is one day you go for a hard 10 mile ride and then get home, jump off the bike, put on your shoes and go for a 2 mile run. That’s what I try to do if I’m training for a sprint tri where the distances are around 800m/22km/5km.

For swimming, if you can get into an open water to swim, that’s probably best. If not, I try to be able to swim at least 1.5 the distance the event will be in the pool. On race day, stay to the outside, unless you’re a great swimmer b/c it will be a bit chaotic at the start. My first tri I had my goggles knocked off and then I was dunked and I tried to fix them, so it was a good initiation.

Just have fun and try to stay relaxed!