Thanks for the advice! I guess I should mention that I'm doing a sprint distance-hoping to find an Olympic distance to do in the early fall. I have done a few bricks-run/swim-but need to be sure to be doing at least one each week-I have a great trail system a half mile from my front door to run/ride on so it will be easy enough logistically.

Rode 20.5 miles on my mountain bike yesterday and am a little sore today-I'm sure I'll want to die after running later.

Anyone here transition from Sprint to Olympic distance? How much time did it take to train for the Olympic distance? The running is the one thing holding me back-I was diagnosed with a hip problem when I was 14 and with the exception of the last month, haven't run at all since then (23 years). I'm running a 12ish minute mile right now and that's a push.

It's true, you're not supposed to care where you come in but easier said than done, eh?

As someone who used to be relatively fast (7 minute miles) and is now lucky to hit 10 minute pace on a REALLY good day (due to too many work hours, klutzy injuries, and one serious illness), I've been trying to deal with the negative mental part of being at the back of the pack for the past year.  I finally got tired of freaking myself out to the point of tears on turn-around events by all the people passing me in the opposite direction and avoiding small events because of where I'll finish.  What has helped is

1) the acceptance that I know I won't win

2) the knowledge that I'm participating in the event which is more than 99% of the rest of the US

3) the cool medal that I'll earn and will show to anyone and everyone

and finally, 4) the old saying I've seen on many t-shirts (but it's true): DLF (dead last finish) is better than DNF (did not finish) which is better than DNS (did not start).

I'm sorry if I'm 'flogging the deceased equine'(that's why I responded to the original post), but it sounds like you're getting it, congratulations. My only tidbit would be: Think "bike heavy"; especially if your muscles and connective tissues are not up to the strength required for strenuous activity. I've recently been injured, and gained 20-30 lbs. I rely on the bike, which can prevent the pounding that caused my injury (from running). The most common mistake I perceive is when people who are starting out heavier "jump" right into activity, recalling that useful exuberance that we all ONCE possessed. This often has THE undesired effect: they give up. Your body must developed slowly, at first, to be able to accommodate the vigorous activity it will inevitably encounter. Once your metabolism begins to kick in, you'll wonder why you didn't "tri" it sooner. Good luck.

P.S. Beware of one's OWN competitiveness. I just did the UCLA triathlon, knowing going in that I had a nagging knee injury. It was chip-timed, so I knew I had an "out" if I needed it. Unfortunately, I felt alright after the bike, so I proceeded to 'do what I could' on the run (5k); attempting to finish strong in spite of my injury (and my "out"). It was one of the worst times I've ever posted...AND I destroyed my knee again, setting back my training until now. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER STARTED  THE RUN. I know what I can run a 5k in. Lesson learned.

Thank you for your advice! I should note that I didn't start this right off of the couch-I was sent to a personal trainer vs physical therapy in spring of 2008 after a car accident in Sept of 2007 (I was rear-ended in July of 2003, November of 2004, and September of 2007-all pretty badly)-my chiropractor at the time was heavy into kinesiology and believed in stregthening core and support muscles in addition to adjustments and massage. This got me off of the couch and I lost 15 lbs in two months just seeing him twice a week (he put me through a routine of planks, crunches, lat pull downs, tricep extensions, squats, bicep curls, and if I was really lucky, sprints on the treadmill-he was pure evil). The insurance ran out, I moved from Seattle to Central Oregon and I gained again so when my back and neck started hurting again in the fall of 2008, I started hitting the gym at work (again, very lucky to work at a resort where I have access to a gym, miles of bike paths, and three pools)-I went from 242 to 210 by spring then plateaued right around 208 and stayed there all summer. I stayed active during the summer mountain biking, paddling, and hiking, but didn't train regularly. I started to hit the gym regularly again this winter, dropped 10 lbs pretty easily, then which is when I decided to try a tri.

I also have a ton of slow twitch muscles-speed was never my forte when I competed in sports in my past. I am going to invest in a heart rate moniter-in fact, I have a gift card for Best Buy and my eyes on a Polar watch (anyone have any advice here?). Right now, I'm feeling pretty good cardiovascularly when I run-if my legs were a bit stronger, I feel like I could go for quite awhile. I've been trying to train in the 130s-and have been told by my boss (Iron Man finisher x3) to start adding in intervals in a week or so.

Good luck with your Oly! And like someone below said-last is better than DNF! Although I have to admit, I'm trying not to worry about the prospect of potentially coming in dead last as well.

Corrie

Jasmine:

Your speeds are NOT slow. Trust me, I have seen slow, and been slow. You are doing good, comfortable, aerobic workout paces and you should keep it up. Speed comes veeerrry slowly and so don't get discouraged. As we have all mentioned, don't be in a hurry to increase speed.  It will happen on its own, and you will be totally suprised when it does.

Last night, when I was biking and trying not to be discouraged that my pace was slower than the last time out, I noticed the ducks swimming on the lake, the blossoming magnolias (it's good to live in the South) and the sunset--and this, friends, is why I bike and run.  To get outside, to get my body to do what it was always meant to do (even if it's slowly), to see all the beautiful things out there and to thank God I am able to swim, bike, and run at ANY pace. So many people would give their eyeteeth to be able to do the same. It really helped me get mentally back into why I'm doing this: for health, for sanity (who doesn't feel better after a workout?), for joy, for fun, and for fitness.  To celebrate life and to be happy that all my limbs are attached where they should be.

So get through the hard and long workouts by telling yourself how many people out there are DNSers--sitting on the couch watching TV--and feel sorry for them, not yourself!  You're out doing something different, unique, and challenging.

CORcorrie:  swim in whatever makes you feel comfortable. If it's tri shorts, do it (I swim in mine some, because it gets me used to the feel of them in the water). If it's a long burka, do it. Just swim. And force yourself to sometimes blow bubbles and giggle into the water, like you did when you were a kid.  We forget sometimes that swimming used to be FUN.  Make water fun!  Same for the bike--remember when we were kids and biking was just the best thing to do?  Think like that again.

(Ok, running bites. I'll give on that one).

Good luck everyone.

Terry

This string is great!  I'm a first time Triathalete (well, i will be in August after i Finish!), I've got about 50 lbs to lose, and I'm pretty slow right now.  Running is a double edged sword for me, i know i need to do it, and i know it helps get weight off fast, but I've struggled with Plantar fasciitis from doing two of those 3-day, 60 milesBreast Cancer  walks, too much running too fast might just put me on the sidelines.  So I'm focusing on the swimming and biking now. I found a great swim class at the rec center for Triathaletes,  its helped me a LOT with form, speed, and endurance, but i have a long ways to go still!

Anyway, good luck to you all, and I'm glad to know i am not alone!!