any triathletes here?

I've done a few dozen triathlons here and there. Warning, if you want to continue doing triathlons and want to remain in great shape, don't start car racing!!!

What are the distances of the tri?

How much swimming, biking, and running have you done past few months?

When is the event?

Have you done a bike race before? Have you done a running race before?

What are your goals? Just to finish at any pace or do you want to be competitive (never a great goal for your first one)?

How prone to injuries are you?

What kind of bike do you have right now?

 

Very true at the amateur level it is easy to fake yourself through the swim (always the shortest part of a tri) and bike (anyone can spin pedals), but coming off the other two and pound the pavement for any distance is the toughest. A typical tri you'll have 25% walking through the end of the run, just by being able to keep your run going to the finish you'll usually place well.

However, because biking is the longest segment of the tri, pro triathletes will concentrate on this part the most. Not only is it longer time wise, but to do a good run, you have to come off the bike fresh, which means being in great cycling shape.

The typical time spent for a pro in an Olympic distance tri...

Swim (1500 meters): 18 minutes
Bike (24.8 miles): 57 minutes
Run (6.2 miles): 35 minutes
Transitions (2): 30 seconds each for a minute
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Total: 1:51

 

I have some great advice to give, but you need to answer some questions. Last year I was coached by Sara and Ric Rosenkranz (pros and certified USAT coaches), so learned quite a bit more than just coaching myself the previous 5 years.