Get started in triathlon for free.
A mini triathlon involves very short distances: under 500 meters of swimming, less than 10 miles of biking and a mile or two of running. Mini triathlons make great introductions to the sport and require no specialized equipment to enter and compete. Training for any triathlon requires the athlete to balance time spent working on different disciplines. Training plans can be difficult to follow and jargon ridden for the beginner. Personal trainers can help but are expensive. Fortunately the beginning triathlete can find plenty of free resources to get her prepared for her first mini triathlon.
Websites
If you know where to look, the Internet will reveal free training plans for the beginning triathlete. In selecting a training plan, the beginner should consider how many weeks she has before her event, how much time per day she can dedicate to training, and what her current fitness level is so that she is challenged but won't burn out--or worse, get injured.
Forums
While training the beginning triathlete is bound to have questions that require answers, whether about her specific training program or the upcoming event itself. Forums that answer beginners' questions can help. Even if you're too shy to ask the questions on the forums themselves, a quick search is likely to lead you to your answer. Some beginner in the past has probably had the same question you face, and a good forum will have the answer archived.
Books
A number of good books for beginners have been published. Avoid books for the advanced athlete, as they will be packed with jargon and highly technical concerns.
Tools
Athletes training for a triathlon need to be organized to balance all of their different workouts. Several tools exist that can help you manage your training, help you find running and biking routes, track your miles, monitor your progress and even remind you what to eat. Some of these tools are housed on websites. Others are downloadable applications for your PC. If you are a beginner, look for tools that do just what you need and are easy to use.
Clubs
Most major metropolitan areas will have at least one triathlon club. Clubs hold group training sessions and offer advice to their members. They are great places to meet and socialize with other people with competitive and fitness goals similar to yours. Clubs can help you avoid discouragement as you work toward your event. While most clubs are not free to join, their membership fees are often nominal. Some will let you try out a few workouts before they demand that you pay up.
Tags: beginning triathlete, mini triathlon, will have