| Starting your own sprint triathlon training program can | | | | Most individuals that want to run a sprint triathlon have |
| seem like quite an undertaking for a person that has | | | | some level of training in at least one of the three |
| no background in the sport. Free advice is abundant on | | | | individual sports. Make sure to focus on the two sports |
| the Internet but rarely gives individuals a real place to | | | | that you are least qualified in. You never want to |
| start their training. Three factors should be considered | | | | completely neglect the sport you are already proficient |
| when starting a sprint triathlon training program. | | | | in but it is better to spend any extra time you have in |
| 1st - What is my overall physical and exercise | | | | legs of the race that you need the most work. Smaller |
| background? | | | | gains will be made in a sport that you are already |
| Every generic training program has to assume you are | | | | good at so focus the majority of time on the one |
| at some point of physical fitness which can often lead | | | | where you will see the most improvement. |
| to disappointment for a beginner. A sprint triathlon | | | | 3rd - How much time do I have to devote to training? |
| training program that says to go and run three miles | | | | If you have a fairly open schedule where you can |
| your first day is not usually applicable to someone that | | | | start training a minimum of 3 days a week and |
| can barely tie his or her own shoes without getting | | | | progress into 6 days rather quickly, it will be possible to |
| winded. Instead, assess (honestly) where you are at | | | | schedule your first race about 10-12 weeks away. If |
| physically. Begin with a training program that | | | | you are a fairly sedentary individual, give yourself 15-18 |
| emphasizes amount of time exercising and technique. It | | | | weeks to get a solid exercise basis before upping |
| is better to set a goal of 30 minutes than 3 miles. Run | | | | your actual training. You aren't going to win the race on |
| a 1/2 mile or 5 miles in those 30 minutes, just make | | | | this schedule and likely not even your age division but |
| sure to spend the whole amount of time exercising | | | | you will definitely finish the race. Remember, finishing |
| with the correct technique. | | | | your first race is the most important piece of your |
| 2nd - What do I know about each individual sport? | | | | sprint triathlon training. |