Starting to flirt with the idea of doing a half-ironman sometime in the next year.
I have the running down...many 13.1s and soon to be two full marathons (doing Chevron in Jan). I haven't swam much recently...as in 20+ years. But I distance swam very competitively as a youth and in high school and I have little doubt I could jump in a pool tomorrow and slow swim several miles. Obviously, will do some training there as it's potentially my advantage leg.
Problem is the bike. They say you never forget, but I'll be testing that theory since I've literally not been on a bike since I was probably 14 years old. My son just learned how to ride, so I was now wanting to get a bike to ride with him and figured it may be a good opportunity to also get into something new health-wise.
1) What is a good starter bike that is decent enough for a half-ironman (or even a full ironman way down the line)? I am not looking to spend a lot of money, as I don't think this will ever be a strength or something I want to do over running. What's the bare minimum I should consider spending on a new bike?
2) Does a tri-bike vs road bike really matter all that much to a novice?
3) Any recommendations of where to look/buy in the Houston area? Preferably near Sugar Land but wherever? Is the secondhand market a good idea...and some place I can do that other than craigslist?
4) Given a person who is decently in shape, how long do you think it would take to train for the bike on a half-ironman? I assume I'll be sacrificing running miles as I probably don't have the time or energy to do biking and run 60-70 miles a week. Thinking I just want to not embarrass (or kill) myself on that bike leg and maybe the other two legs will keep me in the the thick of things of being average for my age. Wondering if I start soon (probably after Chevron) if I can do one in the Spring or if next Fall/Winter is a best case.
5) How much training can you get away with on a trainer? Is it the equivalent or worse than road running vs a treadmill? Have to say I am not real excited about riding on the street with traffic.
Thanks!
I have the running down...many 13.1s and soon to be two full marathons (doing Chevron in Jan). I haven't swam much recently...as in 20+ years. But I distance swam very competitively as a youth and in high school and I have little doubt I could jump in a pool tomorrow and slow swim several miles. Obviously, will do some training there as it's potentially my advantage leg.
Problem is the bike. They say you never forget, but I'll be testing that theory since I've literally not been on a bike since I was probably 14 years old. My son just learned how to ride, so I was now wanting to get a bike to ride with him and figured it may be a good opportunity to also get into something new health-wise.
1) What is a good starter bike that is decent enough for a half-ironman (or even a full ironman way down the line)? I am not looking to spend a lot of money, as I don't think this will ever be a strength or something I want to do over running. What's the bare minimum I should consider spending on a new bike?
2) Does a tri-bike vs road bike really matter all that much to a novice?
3) Any recommendations of where to look/buy in the Houston area? Preferably near Sugar Land but wherever? Is the secondhand market a good idea...and some place I can do that other than craigslist?
4) Given a person who is decently in shape, how long do you think it would take to train for the bike on a half-ironman? I assume I'll be sacrificing running miles as I probably don't have the time or energy to do biking and run 60-70 miles a week. Thinking I just want to not embarrass (or kill) myself on that bike leg and maybe the other two legs will keep me in the the thick of things of being average for my age. Wondering if I start soon (probably after Chevron) if I can do one in the Spring or if next Fall/Winter is a best case.
5) How much training can you get away with on a trainer? Is it the equivalent or worse than road running vs a treadmill? Have to say I am not real excited about riding on the street with traffic.
Thanks!