Craziness being considered: Triathlon

[Cajungaltx]

I'm not a newbie - I've done a few... but then I had a slip & fall... and knee surgery... and a kid... and gained a bit (too much!) of weight...

Well... knee doctor finally released me... it's as good as it's going to get... said that I can't run a marathon... but didn't say anything about a triathlon... So... the Capital of Texas Triathlon is 5/31...

Anyone else up for something like this?

[texkam]

If you lived in Plano I could perhaps be persuaded into getting back in shape.

Go for it. Get back into it gently. Listen to your body. Being away from it makes you enjoy it that much more. Have fun.

[Brains]

Sounds tiring!

[Hein0100]

Sounds like wrestling conditioning on steroids... Haha. Good luck. Pay attention to your body. If your knee is screaming take a break. Start small. A mile or two. See how it goes. Then base the rest of your work off that. If it was easy go more. If you can barely make it keep there.

[Dobick]

From the way that you worded this -- I would seriously consider consulting your physician about this. Following a knee surgery, I am not sure what other options you will have available should you need additional surgery on that knee. If you were to damage it further they may have fewer options available to you.

If the doc says go for it, then -- by all means ... but I am not sure I would want to play word games with my health. By that I mean, the triathalon consists of a marathon. Not sure how you are going to complete a triathlon and follow your doctor's advice.

Obviously you know your body, and know the risks that you are willing to take. Good luck.

[texkam]

I take it you're doing the Sprint as opposed to Olympic distance? I think some here believe you're doing an Ironman. FYI folks, triathlons come in different distances. No Ironman here. She ain't crazy (I think).

[ronocnikral]

do it. as others said, talk to your dr first, then listen to your body.

you won't drag me with you. i get enough pressure from my father. not only am i the only who hasn't completed a marathon in my family (nor have i tried), i'm the only who hasn't completed an ironman (or ironperson, 0 attempts).

have fun. exercise is for the birds.

[Kalrog]

Go to a sports Dr, not your regular physician. They really help understand what is allowed and what is not - specifically with respect to controlled training.

I could probably be convinced to participate. I haven't done any races since... wow, 2008. My last race was 50 miles on foot. I still want to do the Pike's Peak marathon some year.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by Dobick

From the way that you worded this -- I would seriously consider consulting your physician about this. Following a knee surgery, I am not sure what other options you will have available should you need additional surgery on that knee. If you were to damage it further they may have fewer options available to you.

If the doc says go for it, then -- by all means ... but I am not sure I would want to play word games with my health. By that I mean, the triathalon consists of a marathon. Not sure how you are going to complete a triathlon and follow your doctor's advice.

Obviously you know your body, and know the risks that you are willing to take. Good luck.

Kent - it's nothing terrible.

I have Chondromalacia patella... or at least that's what the Ortho guy says. Prior to a knee injury, I had no symptoms of it. I had a really bad slip & fall at a gas station 2 years ago - ended up having to get steroid shots in the knee....drained a crap load of fluid off of it several times before they finally did a scope and cleaned it up some. Other than the fact that they sound like Rice Crispy pops when I bend down...the one that didn't have surgery does anyway... lol... they are fine.

Apparently this Chrondromalacia is called 'Runners Knee' - which is hilarious as hell - because up until 5 years ago - the only time I'd run was if I was being chased with a chainsaw. ;-)

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by texkam

If you lived in Plano I could perhaps be persuaded into getting back in shape.

Go for it. Get back into it gently. Listen to your body. Being away from it makes you enjoy it that much more. Have fun.

There's nothing that says you couldn't train there and do it! Considering we are all in Texas - we could make a weekend of it.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by texkam

I take it you're doing the Sprint as opposed to Olympic distance? I think some here believe you're doing an Ironman. FYI folks, triathlons come in different distances. No Ironman here. She ain't crazy (I think).

The previous ones were Sprint distance... so that's the distance I'll start training for.

I suck at swimming... I'm an okay biker...and I'm too top heavy to be a decent runner.... but tri's are damned fun.

This guy who'd done the Ironman and several other events and I were talking and he said: "You know what they call the person who comes in last in a triathlon? A Triathlete."

To me - it's just about the discipline to train for it... and finishing it...and pushing yourself a bit...

[srwatters]

Go for it!

They're fun and as long as you listen to your body and get treatment when you need it, you should be fine. (says the nut that did Ironman Florida in 2000 - 12:50:03)

[texkam]

There's nothing that says you couldn't train there and do it!

Yeah, but if I'm going to drag my but out of bed at 5a.m. to punish it for hours each week I'd like to have a hot, top heavy training partner along for the fun. LOL. My swimming sux and cycling is scary. Ever notice how all cyclists talk about their crashes? I'll let you know if I get in shape.

[revjvegas]

I've been spending an hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week for the last couple of months at the gym, but I don't think I can physic myself up enough to be able to be ready come May.

Though, like you, I am contemplating the idea, but for a later date.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

I've been spending an hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week for the last couple of months at the gym, but I don't think I can physic myself up enough to be able to be ready come May.

Though, like you, I am contemplating the idea, but for a later date.

John,
A sprint tri is a pretty short distance. If you've been doing an hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week - you would be MORE than ready.

If your really concerned - you could do the First Tri -

400 meter swim (16 lengths in a pool) • 10K bike (a little over 6 miles) • 5k run (3.1 miles)

The sprint tri is

750 meter swim • 20k bike • 5k run

To give you an idea - Brad did the Cinco Ranch Tri - without ANY training other than going on leisurely bike rides with me. And he can't swim. He actually wore a mask/snorkel for the swim portion... which cracked me up to the n'th degree...