The Ultimate Guide to Triathlon – 10 Tips For Beginners!
Triathlon is a sport with elements of three disciplines combined into one event. It is commonly referred to as a tri because of the three components it contains: swimming, cycling and running. The modern version of this endurance contest was first held in New Zealand in 1985, and it now has millions of followers across the globe. With its roots as an Olympic sport, triathlon has steadily grown in popularity over the last few decades. Whether you want to compete at amateur level or simply take part for fun and fitness, learning more about this intense mix of activities can only be beneficial for beginners wanting to get involved.
Swim-bike-run: The Basics of Triathlon
The swim leg of a triathlon is usually a short distance, usually in a pool. Swimming is the most individual of the three disciplines, and even at the elite level, very few races have been won or lost in this phase of the event. The bike phase is usually a road race and often covers a distance of around 40-60 miles. The transition from cycling to running is the most crucial part of the event, as tired legs and heavy legs can massively affect performance in the run leg.
Know Your Equipment
Swim – Swimming is all about drag, and you want to be as streamlined as you can be in the water. For this reason, swimsuits come in various designs, with athletes choosing which works best for them. The most common type of suit is one that is made of polyurethane. These suits are made of two pieces (a top and a bottom) and are designed to create as little drag as possible. The most important thing to remember is that your suit should be tight fitting, but not so much that it restricts your range of motion. If you have to tug at it or push it down to get your arms and legs in the right position, it’s probably too tight! Bike – The most important thing to remember when choosing a bike for triathlon is that you want a model that is light and aerodynamic. When you are cycling for long distances, you’ll want something that is comfortable and easy to manoeuvre. Swim – Swimming is all about drag, and you want to be as streamlined as you can be in the water. For this reason, swimsuits come in various designs, with athletes choosing which works best for them. The most common type of suit is one that is made of polyurethane. These suits are made of two pieces (a top and a bottom) and are designed to create as little drag as possible. The most important thing to remember is that your suit should be tight fitting, but not so much that it restricts your range of motion. If you have to tug at it or push it down to get your arms and legs in the right position, it’s probably too tight!
Transition Is Everything
There are different ways to approach the transition from each of the disciplines. There are three ways to go from swimming to cycling: – tuck and roll – this is a move that is used after a long swim, when your arms are tired and you are worried about your form. The idea behind this transition is that it is faster than a normal roll to a bike. It’s not recommended for short swim distances as you could hurt yourself. – roll to transition – this is the normal method for getting out of the water and onto your bike. The aim is to transition as quickly as possible without sacrificing form. – rolling transition – this is a mix of the above two techniques. It’s best to practice this transition in training to see which transition works best for you.
Where to Begin?
Before you sign up to any event, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the sport and its various challenges, including the level of fitness required. Depending on your level, you could begin with a sprint or olympic distance triathlon. A sprint triathlon is a competition of 750 meters (or yards) of swimming, 20 kilometers of cycling, and 5 kilometers of running. When you are just starting out, it’s best to start with a sprint event. A “long course” triathlon, which is the most common format, is an event that consists of a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run. If you’re thinking about competing in a long course event, you’ll need to have a basic level of fitness.
Final Words
Being an endurance sport, triathlon can be difficult, especially for beginners. It is a highly competitive sport and one that requires a lot of dedication and hard work. If you are on the fence about trying it out, we recommend doing so! It’s a really rewarding sport that pushes you to your limits in every way possible.