I really want to do a full triathlon (swim-bike-run). However,

no race schedule means no motivation for me for train
anti-epidemic measures mean not able for me to plan a proper training season, and races aren't announced until close to the date

and now, I have just got a race announcement (swim-bike-run) happening in 7 weeks, but it is unlikely that I can train for 75 km bike and 25 km run in such a short period with no prior experience in biking (I haven't even got a race bike yet as I'm emigrating soon and don't want to buy one unless there is a race, in such case I will buy a second-hand bike) and 10 months off running (since my last registered race was cancelled due to pandemic).

If there are more than 3 months between the announcement and the race, I may be able to do it, as I trained for my first half marathon in 3 months time after an extended period off running. But 7 weeks is definitely not enough. I have asked my triathlon coach about this so I decided to skip it for my health.

I'm interested how many people here have signed up and done triathlons in short notice. What is your shortest period between your race was announced and you actually raced it, how long was your race and how did it go?

As long as you are in reasonable shape, 7 weeks of training before the race is very doable, just don't have high expectations. People run marathons off zero training, though that's definitely not advisable!

I did my first triathlon (olympic distance) off pretty much just run training and a bit of swimming, but no biking at all. As long as the course is not too hilly the bike should be fine if you go at a comfortable pace. The run would be the biggest worry, but in 7 weeks a decent amount of fitness can be built up. This is assuming you are not terribly out of shape, but I've seen your other posts about your swim training, so assuming you have been keeping this up.

I say go for it, you will be always be able to find excuses not to do something.

Running marathons off zero training?! That's insane. How badly do they hurt afterwards?

If you are paying somebody to be your triathlon coach then I would listen to what that person is telling you.

I'm listening to him now. I am just curious how many people do triathlons in short notice.

I won Ultraman Canada in 1994 with 30hrs notice on my Ironman training but I've bored enough people here with that story already..

That's normal. You are on Ironman training when you ran that race. Similar to those who run a marathon while training for another half marathon. Tough but still doable.

Nothing more to say then this.

---

-shoki

.
.
In the Canadian winter of 1988/89 I was working in the ski town of Fernie,BC and at the end of each season they have a race called the "Powder-Peddle-Paddle" which involved a ski boot run uphill to our downhill skis,a ski down the mountain to the village,a bike ride into town,a kayak paddle down the river back to the ski hill entrance and a final run up to the main lodge.I had done absolutely no bike training,kayaking or running and finished 2nd overall in the solo division.There were only two of us in the solo division.I was drunk for the next few days so I don't know if I was sore or not.
.
Later that year I was working as a gym instructor at Fitness World in Victoria.BC and a couple of weeks before the Royal Victoria Marathon held in October every year I had a "discussion" with some meatheads in the free weight section of the club about the benefits of circuit training and we ended up betting on whether I cold run the marathon without any actual run training ,just the fitness from the gym circuit and the stationary bike. I did one training run to test the new pair of running shoes I got for the marathon and that was it.I finished in 3:50'ish. At work a few days later an old lady had to help me off the floor after I showed her how to do some abdominal exercises.
.
I won Ultraman Canada in 1994 with 30hrs notice on my Ironman training but I've bored enough people here with that story already..