Once you're done with this, you might find the FAQ helpful.
Tri Newbies - welcome to triathlon! : ) The Reds are here to help you either get started or just get better. Please use us as a resource - ask questions and for help whenever you need it :-)
What's a Triathlon?
A traithlon is a sport that combines swimming, biking, and running in that order. This means that you swim (usually in a lake but sometimes in a pool), then get out and hop on your bike, and when you're done with that, you run. Triathlons are all different lengths - some take less than an hour to complete some take up to 17 hours!
What are the distances of Triathlon Events?
There are 4 main distances - sprints, Olympics, Half Ironman distance, Full Ironman distance. Sprints vary a bit in length - swims are typically 500 - 750 Meters, bike is 10 - 15 miles, and runs are 3 to 4 miles. Olympic distance races are always the same - 1500 Meter swim, 24 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. Half Ironman distance races are 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (and yes, LOTS of our ladies do this! : ). A Full Ironman distance race is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Don't underestimate what you can do - we have had ladies who started with learning to put their face in the water complete half and full ironman distance races. : )
Is an Ironman the same thing as a Triathlon?
"Ironman" has become a household name for a specific distance of triathlon: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. A "Half Ironman" is half the distance: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (this is the distance The RedLadies targets). Ironman is a brand - like "Kleenex" is a brand of "tissue". Ironman puts on many races around the world - but, there are other companies that put on races that are the same distance as "Ironman races". For example, Redman in Oklahoma (the race our beginners group does) puts on a "full ironman distance race" and a "half ironman distance race". However, both these races are owned and produced by Redman (not Ironman). : )
What is a Half Ironman?
A half Ironman is a triathlon of a specific distance - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. When someone says "I'm doing a half" they mean they're doing a half ironman or a race of the distances listed above.
What equipment do I need?
Check out this list of info!
Triathlon vs Triathlete
A Traithlon is the race - ie "I'm going to do a traithlon this weekend". A Traithlete is the athlete - ie "I am a Traithlete".
But I don't know how to swim? I don't own a bike? I don't like to run!
Welcome to the club! We all start somewhere - the swim is most triathlete's bugg-a-boo (even if they know how to swim in a pool, the open water causes lots of angst). There are lots of unused bikes out there just waiting for their chance to get out! Borrow a bike, buy a used one, spring for a new one - certainly an issue that can be overcome! And the run - well, you will learn that you're not alone and that getting this done in a group makes things much more fun! It's not about going it alone - it's about learning to support others (b/c they will need your support) and taking support (b/c YOU will need the support). It's what makes this whole crazy sport possible!!
How do I learn to swim?
Learning to swim is done in stages - you don't just jump in and start splashing away. We had several Reds last year who didn't know how to swim at the start of the year and many more who weren't very comfortable with it. You start with learning to put your head under water, how to breath, how to float etc. This takes time and that is why we start The RedLadies so early in the year. Yes, it's possible to learn this in less than a year!!
Why the RedLadies?
Taking on your first triathlon is a HUGE deal! Why, then, would you start with a HALF IRONMAN instead of a small sprint tri?? Ease into it instead of going gangbusters? The "why" is hidden in the experience. The pride, seeing you're capable, friendships, feeling good about yourself (I mean, you're kinda a badass!) - it's a lift for life and it's about way more than just doing a triathlon. You will understand the "why" as you conquer workouts you didn't think possible - and help other people conquer workouts THEY didn't think possible, as you bond and form friendships "getting through it together," and as you see that you are far more capable than you're giving yourself credit - it's really about doing something that reminds you how awesome you are! : )
Also see FAQ
Additional Resources
A GREAT, hilarious, fun and totally inspirational book: The Slow, Fat Traithlete by Jayne Williams
Tri 101 - Summer Clinic / ask Liz
Run Like a Mother (book)
Joel Friel's Triathlete's Training Bible (book)
Total Immersion (swimming resource - goole this website)
The Power Meter Handbook - by Joel Friel
Go Swim TV (google this site)
What's a Triathlon?
A traithlon is a sport that combines swimming, biking, and running in that order. This means that you swim (usually in a lake but sometimes in a pool), then get out and hop on your bike, and when you're done with that, you run. Triathlons are all different lengths - some take less than an hour to complete some take up to 17 hours!
What are the distances of Triathlon Events?
There are 4 main distances - sprints, Olympics, Half Ironman distance, Full Ironman distance. Sprints vary a bit in length - swims are typically 500 - 750 Meters, bike is 10 - 15 miles, and runs are 3 to 4 miles. Olympic distance races are always the same - 1500 Meter swim, 24 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. Half Ironman distance races are 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (and yes, LOTS of our ladies do this! : ). A Full Ironman distance race is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Don't underestimate what you can do - we have had ladies who started with learning to put their face in the water complete half and full ironman distance races. : )
Is an Ironman the same thing as a Triathlon?
"Ironman" has become a household name for a specific distance of triathlon: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. A "Half Ironman" is half the distance: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run (this is the distance The RedLadies targets). Ironman is a brand - like "Kleenex" is a brand of "tissue". Ironman puts on many races around the world - but, there are other companies that put on races that are the same distance as "Ironman races". For example, Redman in Oklahoma (the race our beginners group does) puts on a "full ironman distance race" and a "half ironman distance race". However, both these races are owned and produced by Redman (not Ironman). : )
What is a Half Ironman?
A half Ironman is a triathlon of a specific distance - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. When someone says "I'm doing a half" they mean they're doing a half ironman or a race of the distances listed above.
What equipment do I need?
Check out this list of info!
Triathlon vs Triathlete
A Traithlon is the race - ie "I'm going to do a traithlon this weekend". A Traithlete is the athlete - ie "I am a Traithlete".
But I don't know how to swim? I don't own a bike? I don't like to run!
Welcome to the club! We all start somewhere - the swim is most triathlete's bugg-a-boo (even if they know how to swim in a pool, the open water causes lots of angst). There are lots of unused bikes out there just waiting for their chance to get out! Borrow a bike, buy a used one, spring for a new one - certainly an issue that can be overcome! And the run - well, you will learn that you're not alone and that getting this done in a group makes things much more fun! It's not about going it alone - it's about learning to support others (b/c they will need your support) and taking support (b/c YOU will need the support). It's what makes this whole crazy sport possible!!
How do I learn to swim?
Learning to swim is done in stages - you don't just jump in and start splashing away. We had several Reds last year who didn't know how to swim at the start of the year and many more who weren't very comfortable with it. You start with learning to put your head under water, how to breath, how to float etc. This takes time and that is why we start The RedLadies so early in the year. Yes, it's possible to learn this in less than a year!!
Why the RedLadies?
Taking on your first triathlon is a HUGE deal! Why, then, would you start with a HALF IRONMAN instead of a small sprint tri?? Ease into it instead of going gangbusters? The "why" is hidden in the experience. The pride, seeing you're capable, friendships, feeling good about yourself (I mean, you're kinda a badass!) - it's a lift for life and it's about way more than just doing a triathlon. You will understand the "why" as you conquer workouts you didn't think possible - and help other people conquer workouts THEY didn't think possible, as you bond and form friendships "getting through it together," and as you see that you are far more capable than you're giving yourself credit - it's really about doing something that reminds you how awesome you are! : )
Also see FAQ
Additional Resources
A GREAT, hilarious, fun and totally inspirational book: The Slow, Fat Traithlete by Jayne Williams
Tri 101 - Summer Clinic / ask Liz
Run Like a Mother (book)
Joel Friel's Triathlete's Training Bible (book)
Total Immersion (swimming resource - goole this website)
The Power Meter Handbook - by Joel Friel
Go Swim TV (google this site)
