What You Need To Know About...
Triathlon
1. The Basics
2. The Races
3. Swim
4. Bike
5. Run
9. Books
10. Useful Links
Want to discuss Triathlon? Visit our
Triathlon Forum!
News:
12/17/2005 A member of China's women's Olympic triathlon team is in critical condition after being struck by a car during bike training.
The Basics
1.1 What is Triathlon?
Triathlon is an athletic competition comprised of three events: swimming, bicycling and running -- typically in that order.1.2 What if I'm slow, will the other racers laugh at me?
Not likely. Especially in the sprint distance races there are a lot of beginners and fitness athletes. Just go out and have fun -- the really fast people are too busy competing with each other to laugh at beginners and most of the triathletes I've met are actually very supportive of new athletes.1.3 Ben's Golden Rule of Racing
Never, ever, ever do anything for the first time on race day. No new shoes, no new bikes, no new goggles, no new foods. Race day is not the time to find out if Tangerine-flavored PowerGel makes you nauseous. Race day is not the time to find out that Coppertone or Body Glide gives you a rash. That's what training days are for - any gear or food you're going to use in the race you should have already trained with at least once or twice to make sure it works the way you expect it to.The Races
2.1 What is the Ironman?
When somebody refers to "The Ironman" they usually mean Ironman Hawaii which is considered the world championship of triathlon. Ironman Hawaii is a triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike, followed by a 26.2 mile run."Ironman" can also be used more generically to refer to any triathlon event that covers the same distances. There are several notable Ironman races such as Ironman New Zealand and Ironman Canada.
2.2 What is an "Olympic Distance" triathlon?
Somewhat self-explanatory, actually - it's a triathlon raced at the Olympic distances. The swim is 1500 meters, the bike is 40 kilometers (just shy of 25 miles) and the run is 10 kilometers.2.3 What is a "Sprint Distance" triathlon?
There isn't a set distance for spring distance triathlons, only that they are shorter than the Olympic distance. Some of them can be quite short -- 500 meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run for example.Swim
3.1 Is the swim in the ocean or a pool or a lake or ?
Yes. Depending upon the race it could be any of those.Bike
4.1 Do I need a special kind of bike for triathlon?
No. If you're just looking to enter a triathlon to finish and enjoy the personal accomplishment then just about any bike will do. To be more efficient and competitive you'll want to have a good bike designed for racing. There is some disagreement within the triathlon community about whether road bikes (sometimes referred to, inaccurately, as "10-speeds") or hybrid bikes (which look more like mountain bikes do) are better for triathlon. I happen to prefer a road bike but ultimately it comes down to what you're most comfortable and fastest on.4.2 Is drafting allowed?
Read the race rules for your race but usually no, it's not. At least not on the bike.Books
9.1
Triathlon: Achieving Your Personal Best by
Rod Cedaro - Excellent book, one of the better ones in my
collection.
9.2
The Triathlete's Training Bible by Joel Friel
Useful Links
10.1 Wikipedia
- Triathlon
10.2 FavoriteRun.com - Build running
routes on the streets and areas around your home, work or other place.
Create and save maps, it automatically calculates distances and you can even
build a runner's diary. Search and view routes created by other runners in
the area too.
10.3 BCEndurance Trainings -
Brian Clarke's website - a running and triathlon coach in Honolulu, Hawaii.
10.4 Sheldon Brown's Tires &
Tubes - A good site with information about bicycle tires and tubes including
information on how to change them.
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