Hi,

I am currently on DET with Mal Rose and he has 'sold' Tri racing to me!

I am a fit guy, would class myself as a reasonable runner, not much of a biker/swimmer, however, have done plenty i.e can swim and bike fairly well.

Mal has explained a good detail on how to get started with registering with RAFTRI and entering in the sprint at Cranwell.

As I said I am a complete novice, I have only ever run half marathons and done various trail races. My aim is to compete in an Iron Man in 2 years.

Any Tips would be greatly appreciated for a complete novice.

Dan

Dan. Welcome!

Where to start?! Swim lots, bike lots, run lots

I would get a decent grounding in all 3 elements and not focus too much on big efforts - more like consistent activity in all 3. This is especially important for cycling. You need consistent pedaling to get the pathways working. It doesn't have to be full on; just pedal!

Whilst in MPA with Mal, just do what he does!!

Welcome,

Beware the Sags ... he speaks with forked tongue sometimes LOL!

Yep, just get out there and run, bike and swim, keep it all aerobic (well under 80% MHR) to start with and the MOST IMPORTANT BIT, schedule plenty of rest and recovery and make sure you count a busy day/stressful day outside of sport as a training load and do less training, then all will be well.

K, one who knows too much about over-training!

. .. . . contrary to common belief, if you Google the term 'overtraining' it does not deliver my name

... yet ...

Hi matey,

You need to watch that Mal Rose!! He roped me into TRI in Cyprus in 2007, I have never looked back it's addictive as anything. He may have spun yarns about he could not swim at the start!!

Nor could I my 1st race was a sprint in open water and I had to breast stroke at least 300m of the swim, still ended 2nd overall.

Just listen to Mal matey he is full of good tips!

Dan, go read this http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-endurance-training/ before you start taking tips from anyone! I've just read Mal's blog, that isn't suitable for a newbie, from my personal perspective, that isn't suitable for anyone sane! I could show you what I was donig for 12 weeks from November last year, very similar, high loads, high intensity. It's just taken me 6 weeks to recover and see the light, and I wasn't even juggling it with a full time job - never mind one that includes shifts!

Kelda

Nope, not latest, I've been following Primal since last year if you hadn't noticed LOL! Not had any grain-based anything for 4 months ... you eat what you like, but I defy anyone to read the science behind it and not wonder if using grain-based carbs is really the right way to be fuelling your body.

Actually this posting is excellent and it really should make people think twice about what they are doing training-wise, this is now the way I'm training since recovering from being over-trained and so far it's working well and I know it won't kill me, and hopefully I'll stay well and injury-free.

For anyone following the 'more is more and harder even better' scenario sit down and note how many times you've been ill/under the weather, demotivated to train, dragged yourself through that last session, last 10 mins etc, been injured or under-performed in the last year ... and then notice if you are mainlining carbs, dying for that sugar hit, if you're sleeping peacefully whether you are really looking forward to your next training session or seeing it as a must do session at any cost.