What Is A Triathlon And How To Prepare For Your First Triathlon Training Program?

Richard Cozzella Feb 24, 2013 · 5 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

If you are into sport competitions you need to prepare properly before you jumped off to any scheduled event. It is very vital to prepare your mind and body so that you will have great chances of winning, or just a mere health consciousness exercise program would be okay. Health is wealth and doing sports like triathlon is a good choice to maintain your body’s health

What is a triathlon?

Have you been into triathlon? Well, this is one of the sports that men and women wanted to join. Triathlon is a combination of swimming, running and biking. If you are a newbie in triathlon, maybe you can train from the experts or have a formal training. There are many triathlon enthusiasts which I have had observed participating in triathlon event regularly. If your passion is triathlon then you can be called a triathlete, who really understood what is a triathlon sport.

Personally, based on my experience, breathing during the swimming training is really a great challenge that everyone should overcome. It’s one part of understanding what is a triathlon. Actually, triathlon is not as hard as anyone thinks. In fact, it is a very enjoyable sports which can be participated by young and adults alike. You only need a swim suit, goggles, and a cap (if you have a long hair). You also need a bicycle, cycling shorts, shoes, clipless pedals and a water bottle. That’s it! You are ready to go for a triathlon training.

Okay, below are some tips that I would like to share with you, especially if you are also planning to participate in triathlon events. I supposed the Iron Man Triathlon event has already reached in your area, and perhaps, you want to join soon to learn what is a triathlon as a sport?

You need to do the so-called “practice run.”

This is to test triathlon distances, and “practice run” should be done at least two weeks before the main triathlon event, according to a triathlon training program coach. You will learn lots of things which can really help you into this sport discipline. You need to closely pay attention to pacing. Ask yourself this question: What pace do I need to execute swimming so that the running and biking are made doable? Here, you also need to practice your transition strategy. What are your feelings after riding and then transitioning to the run? Are you able to do the swimming without resting? (usually, most of the pool swims are going to let you rest at the wall? However, you need to get out of the way from other race competitors. Do you understand what is a triathlon all about now? Well, knowing the basics is important if you want to become a triathlon enthusiast.

Brick workouts are vital part too in understanding what is a triathlon sport

Be sure to have a practice of switching from biking to the running, that’s simply doing a long biking with a short run every once in a while. While you may feel it’s kind of uncomfortable in the beginning, the only consolation here is that you can teach your body to adjust, and soon you will feel comfortable with triathlon. Well, this is a good advice from a friend joining the Liverpool triathlon. Workouts are part of understanding what is a triathlon. Now you know. Do you?

A rested body usually performs better during competitions

You need to rest also and only do minimal exercises when triathlon event nears and you want to participate. Pushing yourself to a tough workout is not advisable everyday. You need to rest too. Remember that resting is the best body conditioning activity to prepare yourself for the final event.

Do not make surprises

Do not make surprises especially on odd challenging course such as hills, rough roads and many more, or if you do this you need to learn more, what is a triathlon? You need to train only to similar terrain.

Learning what is a triathlon course

Of course, among the best part in the training is understanding the game you choose. If you cannot do it – then I would say, you’re not really into triathlon training program. You need to define how do you enter and exit the transition area such as swim to bike or vice versa. Remember that they happen in different places sometimes. How about the turn areas? Where are they?

Do not reinvent on race day

If you are already in the race day, you must not do anything that is not on your practice routine. No new triathlon suits or even new foods. Use only your triathlon shorts or any race suit you use during the training, and use only the equipment that is already comfortable and used to you.

Before the race, go check your bike

If you want a good one, there are triathlon bikes for sale especially during the Lance Armstrong Triathlon. Give focus on the following during the checking process:

– Tire Pressure

– Check brakes

– Make sure the profile bars, handle bars and seat are all tight

– Make a check whether the bike is correctly shifting. Prepare the bike’s gear that is needed for the race (it would be climbing a hill, etc) In this way, you will be 100 percent prepared and be ready when you grab the bike.

Indeed, learning what is a triathlon, is an amazing experience.

Training season is almost here, soon to be followed by racing, so now is a great time to get out your calendar….More at How To Plan A Fun And Successful Triathlon Season

What Is A Triathlon And How To Prepare For Your First Triathlon Training Program?