Triathlon training...please help?

Beeba

I teach high school English at an alternative school (students who have been removed from the mainstream educational system because they have serious social, emotional, and behavioral issues). A handful of my students have expressed an interest in competing in a triathlon and I'm all for it. We've already organized a group of students, teachers, and other staff (including the principal and some of the secretary staff!) because we thought it would be a really positive experience for all of us. There is a sprint triathlon at a local park at the end of May and we decided this is our most realistic choice. We all vary in levels of skill and ability and some of us have some weight we'll need to lose (no one is seriously obese). What are some activities or plans that we can use to train together and separately?
What kind of gear will we need?
Are there any organizations we can get to sponsor us so that we can get some gear and cover our entrance fees?
Any help is appreciated!
We're really set on the sprint. We want a challenge. And most of us (save about 5 of the 20 of us) are athletes of some sort. We've got two wrestlers, three b-ball players, two baseball players, a handful of soccer players, four cyclists, and five distance runners(myself included). Among other things, we're looking for activities we can do in pairs or small groups so that the less athletic people feel welcome.
The biggest equipment challenge for us right now is that some of the kids don't have bikes and we don't know where we can go to swim as we do not have enough money to buy a membership at a gym. Just about all of us have adequate running shoes.

Also, a small handful of the kids need to quit smoking--I told them I won't even let them train with me if they don't agree to quit. Any tips anybody can offer to help with that would be great as well!

Answer
All of the answers provided are good and helpful. I would also suggest talking to your local YMCA about sponsorship. Hospitals also are willing to sponsor very active groups.

As far as equipment is concerned, you don't need a lot of fancy bikes, shoes or wetsuits to compete. I would say evaluate the course of the events.... For instance...

1. The swim. Is it in a pool or open water (lake, pond or ocean). If it is a pool swim, regular swimwear works fine. If open water swim, you will need some planning and decisions as to obtaining wetsuits (if event is wetsuit legal). Goggles are a absolute must.
2. The bike. Is it a hilly bike course or pretty flat? If it is hilly, road bikes work fine and in fact climb much better than triathlon bikes. Even if you choose to use hybrid bikes or even mountain bikes, they will still perform adequately. Helmets are required...no exceptions.
3. The run. I always tell people, the run is the most important part of a triathlon, not because it is last, but because you can tell when other people are hurting. A lot of times it is because of their shoes. Their feet do not fit as well into their shoes for the run because they rode the bike without socks. Their feet swell up from the pressure of the leg muscles working and their feet hurt when they are running. So, make sure your running shoes fit your feet well.

Other (optional) triathlon gear...
1. Swim caps
2. Sunglasses (for bike and run)
3. Breathable hats
4. Cycling Gloves

I would also recommend some books from your local library

"Your First Triathlon" is very helpful and for training....
"Triathlon Training" is also informative.

Good luck! You picked a fantastic sport to get involved in.

I'm doing a Triathlon? Tell me what you think of my transitions?

Anna

I'm going to swim in my bathing suit. Then when I get to the bike transition I'll have a small towel to put my feet on then a larger one to dry off a bit. I'm going to put compression shorts on for the bike and put my running shoes on. Put my helmet on and out I go. I won't need to change for the bike to run transistion. Does this sound good?

Answer
There is triathlon specific swimwear designed for use on the bike as well as in the water. The time you save by wearing your running shoes on the bike you will lose due to the squishy soles on the pedals. Most triathletes leave their cycling shoes clipped to the pedals of the bike and put them on as they mount up, they change into running shoes for the run after they dismount leaving their shoes on the bike. The people with experience are the ones who know what works best

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