Do you ever wonder if you are similar to other people who are training for a triathlon? If you are lucky enough to have a local Triathlon Training Club, then your obsessions and interest in training fit right in. But if like many people, you are looked at by your peers, family and co-workers as “that crazy triathlete”, then you’ll love this post.
Last month I polled all the people who have downloaded my First Time Finishers Triathlon Training Guide (see the box to the right) and recieved an overwhelming response! Questions inlcuded standard demographic information as well as questions about their motivations, fears and successes in training for triathlons. Below are screenshots of the demographic summaries. How do you compare?
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for sharing, it is very interesting in seeing how other view their training too. Please keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Tom
Tom, thanks for the comment and for visiting the blog. 🙂
This is a great survey, thanks for this. From my observation, the sport is mainly done by over 35 year old, married people with a good/decent annual income in their first year.
I decided to do a tri because of the challenge, variety and the improved level of fitness.
Reggie, you are correct, but also keep in mind this survey was directed at people who signed up for a free trainign plan on this site, so the first year sprint tri lean is biased. But I find it really interesting that most of the respondents were “40 year old females”…which coincidentally is what I am.
I am very new to the sport, did my 1st duoathlon this year. Was surprised to see so many women taking part. I play golf and have done karate and the % of women that take part especially in golf is very low. Why do think that women in their 40’s take these multi-sport events ? Maybe it’s the same reason why men do it. i.e the challenge.
I thought this was interesting as I am also just starting out and I’m 53. I will train all winter and I will try to follow your program. I will also be getting help from my local gym. I am aiming for June and if it goes well, will try to do another the same summer. thanks for your help.
Becky
I started triathlon in the early 90’s to help with issues I was having after my military enlistment. I was quite competitive at that time. Now at 45, life is slowing down to where I can get back into it again. Despite a bike crash severing my clavicle, I plan to hit the circuit this summer. Have my swim just over 2mph and rising, can stay above 21mph on the bike. The run is surprising on how much work it is taking to come back. I am glad to see that i am not the only one who struggles with the run.