So You Want to Do a Triathlon. Part 2: How and Where to Train

It is the rare person who comes to the triathlon strong in all three events. More than likely, you are a runner, cyclist, or swimmer who is looking to round yourself out or challenge yourself. In fact, you may need help in all three sports plus putting all three together.

When I came to the sport, I didn’t know how to swim very well. In fact, I was afraid of swimming, especially in open water. I enrolled in a class recommended by a running buddy that was targeted at the novice triathlete. The class and the other classes and clinics I have taken since that time have made all the difference for me.

Another good resource is the local triathlon clubs. Search for “triathlon your-city-name” using any search engine.

Indoor swim lessons

Many athletes will need swimming lessons. I did! Where to go:

• Many health clubs offer private or group lessons.
  
• Most YMCAs and public pools offer private and group lessons. If you live in Seattle, start at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/pools.asp


• Mary Meyer Life Fitness. Mary and company run an excellent series of beginner, intermediate, and advanced swim technique lessons targeted at the triathlete. Year round. http://marymeyerlifefitness.com/

Outdoor swim clinics
Since most triathlons are run outdoors, you will want to do some of your swimming outdoors in a lake.

• Mary Meyer Life Fitness. Mary and company also offer outdoor swim clinics in the summer months. Highly recommended. http://marymeyerlifefitness.com/


• There are lots of free group outdoor swims in the many areas of the country, especially those areas like Seattle that host a lot of triathlon races. If you live in Seattle, you can find many outdoor swims at http://seatri.org/. This is the website of the Seattle Triathlon Club.

Cycling lessons and group rides

• Many bike clubs offer group rides. In Seattle, Cascade Bike Club offers group rides most days of the week starting from various locations. Most rides are free to non-members. http://cascade.org/


• Many health clubs offer spinning classes which you may find helpful for building cycling muscles. (Though it's important to also get outside and practice your "real world bike" skills.)

Running lessons
Many communities have running groups. Some are coached, others are more loosely organized. The most important thing is to have others to run with, especially if you are training for longer races.

• In the Seattle area, I have been a member of ChuckIt. (http://www.runchuckit.com/) This is a running group coached by Chuck Bartlett. Many triathletes are members too.
  
• Free group runs from most running stores (including in the Seattle area, Super Jock 'n Jill, Seattle Running Company, Road Runner Sports, Nike Town, etc.).

Triathlon clinics and Brick workouts
While you need to practice the individual components of the triathlon, you'll also benefit from clinics and workouts that specifically concentrate on two or three of the components of a triathlon.

• In the Seattle area during the summer, Mary Meyer Life Fitness coaches a number of different clinics and workouts including the triathlon clinics which help you put together all three events (http://marymeyerlifefitness.com/). Full disclosure: I help coach these clinics in the summer as a volunteer. Other areas of the country have similar coached programs.


• Many communities have triathlon clinics or brick workouts sponsored by triathlon clubs. A brick workout is when you work on two of the three components of a tri during a single workout. This means that you either swim and bike, bike and run, or swim and run. I like to do at least one brickout workout a week when I am training for a triathlon. In addition, I like to do all three events (a tri workout) at least once before my first triathlon of the season. You don’t need to be part of a group to do a brick or triathlon workout, but if you are planning on swimming outdoors, you should never do a swim workout alone.

Cost of Lessons/Coaching/Clinics
Coaching can range in cost from free to expensive:

• Indoor swim lessons: $10 to $50 per lesson.
• Outdoor swim clinics: $20-$50 per clinic.
• Outdoor tri clinics: $20-$60 per clinic.
• Group swims: most are free or nominal charge.
• Personal coaching: $30+ for each lesson .

So You Want to Do a Triathlon, Part 1: Getting Started