What To Know About Triathlon Training

By Scott Bailey


Triathlon refers to a multiple-stage competition in which competitors complete three continuous and consecutive endurance disciplines. In general, triathlon entails running, swimming, and cycling, with all the three parts of the race completed in immediate successions over varying distances. Athletes in this sport are called triathletes. The competition is about who takes the shortest time to complete the race, including the time spent in transition. The Greek language is where the word triathlon originated. Its translation into English means three sports.

Athletes are provided with a transition area for them to change their gear between the various events. Transition areas provide an area for transitioning from swim to bike and bike to run. Athletes keep their bikes and performance apparel among other accessories in the transition area. Triathlon training is usually very intensive and endurance-oriented in order to prepare athletes better for the race.

The first transition involves transitioning from swim to bike. This transition is called T1. The second transition involves transitioning from bike to run, and is referred to as T2. The overall time for the competitors include the time they spend in both T1 and T2. Since the number of participants can vary widely, transition areas vary in size a lot. Also, these areas are used as social headquarters before races begin.

The origin of triathlon lies somewhere in the 20s. However, the celebrated version as it is known began in 1974 in San Diego. The event was organized by two people called Johnstone and Shanahan. These two were associated with Track Club of San Diego. The first event incorporated running, biking, and swimming, but in a different order.

In 1989, a worldwide regulatory body was founded to take on the government of the sport. The body is named as the International Triathlon Union, abbreviated as ITU. Its goal has changed from what it was at the beginning. Initially, the goal was to make triathlon an Olympic game and that was achieved. Competition levels in this sport are three, that is, junior pro-athletes, age-group athletes, and elite pro-triathletes.

Several days in advance are given for people who intend to participate in an event to sign up. After signing up, participants are given colored swim caps, timing bands, and race numbers. Timing bands are for use in electronically timed races only. Any applicable information that participants may need to know such as applicable rules and the course to follow is communicated beforehand.

In major events, athletes have to check-in their bikes at the transition area in advance. Bikes that have been checked in are them guarded until when they will be used by the athletes. Different methods are used to start races. Some of the methods are wave and mass starts. Mass starts involve a single start signal being given so that all athletes can start the race simultaneously.

Wave start events entail athletes beginning the race in smaller groups. A start signal is made after every few minutes. Short races tend to favor wave starts than long ones.




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