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Triathlon Training: Running, Swimming, Biking And Triathlon Gear
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Published: June 27, 2007
Across the board, athletes push themselves to the limits of their physical ability. Triathlons are one such sport. Triathlons incorporate swimming, bicycling and running into one long, painful race. Many people believe that triathlons are the ultimate race; they test human strength and endurance on three separate levels. In order to participate in the three-tiered competition, participants have to commit fully and train for months in advance.
Training for triathlons varies according to the length of the race. Sprint triathlons are the shortest, with a .5 mile swim, a 13 mile bike ride and a 3.2 mile run. This race is ideal for people who do not have as much time to commit to training and at the maximum, requires 7 hours per week. The Olympic triathlon distance is used in the Olympic games and includes a .93 mile swim, a 24.8 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run. For Olympic triathlons, participants need to spend about 12 hours per week training until the date of the race. The other triathlons are the half-Ironman and the Ironman. Ironman triathlons include a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Needless to say, Ironman competitions are not for the faint of heart. For the Ironman race, athletes should train for about 18 hours per week.
Deciding which triathlon to compete in requires honesty on the part of the athlete in order to create achievable goals for triathlon training. For example, the participant needs to consider how much time he or she has to train, what sport (swimming, biking, running) the athlete has his or her base in, and whether the athlete has sustained prior injuries or is overweight. All of these factors help determine which type of training plan the competitor will need. But for any triathlon competitor, an essential part of training involves building up an anaerobic threshold. This term regards the exercise intensity at which a person suffers from muscle cramping. In order to increase the level of anaerobic threshold, athletes need to train at an intensity level that borders the threshold. For triathlons, athletes need to know their physical limits and they have to push themselves.
Another key part of participating is the Triathlon gear. Because many athletes wish to save time, they wear only one outfit during the events. Triathlon equipment varies depending on where the race is held and depending on the length of the race. In either case, it is important that racers wear proper footwear during triathlons so that they do not sustain blisters or other injuries. Competitors are also advised to choose shoes with elastic laces so that they can switch out of shoes quickly. Long distance runners especially have to find shoes that allow for both comfort and speed. Also, for longer runs and biking distances, pockets are important for carrying nutrition and hydration. For the swimming portion, some races require the use of wetsuits because of the temperature of the water. Shorter races and indoor races will not usually require wetsuits. Onetri, an online triathlon gear retailer started by triathlon enthusiasts, offers customers everything they need to train for and compete in triathlons.
Competing in triathlons can yield rewards; the contentment that comes with self-betterment, the self-assuredness that follows losing weight and sculpting muscle, and the euphoria that accompanies crossing the finish line. With proper training, equipment and a good mindset, participants can have a fun, challenging and even life-changing experience by competing in triathlons.
Sources:
Watson, Lance. "3 Key Workouts." Inside Triathlon: The Multisport Life. 17April 2003. 20 June 2007
http://www.insidetri.com/portal/news/news.asp?it em=100021
Choosing a Triathlon Training Plan. Beginner Triathlete.com. 28 Aug. 2004. 20 June 2007.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-de tail.asp?articleid=19
About Us. Onetri.com. 2006. One Triathlon Gear, Inc. 20 June 2007.
http://www.onetri.com/about_us.php
Training for triathlons varies according to the length of the race. Sprint triathlons are the shortest, with a .5 mile swim, a 13 mile bike ride and a 3.2 mile run. This race is ideal for people who do not have as much time to commit to training and at the maximum, requires 7 hours per week. The Olympic triathlon distance is used in the Olympic games and includes a .93 mile swim, a 24.8 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run. For Olympic triathlons, participants need to spend about 12 hours per week training until the date of the race. The other triathlons are the half-Ironman and the Ironman. Ironman triathlons include a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Needless to say, Ironman competitions are not for the faint of heart. For the Ironman race, athletes should train for about 18 hours per week.
Deciding which triathlon to compete in requires honesty on the part of the athlete in order to create achievable goals for triathlon training. For example, the participant needs to consider how much time he or she has to train, what sport (swimming, biking, running) the athlete has his or her base in, and whether the athlete has sustained prior injuries or is overweight. All of these factors help determine which type of training plan the competitor will need. But for any triathlon competitor, an essential part of training involves building up an anaerobic threshold. This term regards the exercise intensity at which a person suffers from muscle cramping. In order to increase the level of anaerobic threshold, athletes need to train at an intensity level that borders the threshold. For triathlons, athletes need to know their physical limits and they have to push themselves.
Another key part of participating is the Triathlon gear. Because many athletes wish to save time, they wear only one outfit during the events. Triathlon equipment varies depending on where the race is held and depending on the length of the race. In either case, it is important that racers wear proper footwear during triathlons so that they do not sustain blisters or other injuries. Competitors are also advised to choose shoes with elastic laces so that they can switch out of shoes quickly. Long distance runners especially have to find shoes that allow for both comfort and speed. Also, for longer runs and biking distances, pockets are important for carrying nutrition and hydration. For the swimming portion, some races require the use of wetsuits because of the temperature of the water. Shorter races and indoor races will not usually require wetsuits. Onetri, an online triathlon gear retailer started by triathlon enthusiasts, offers customers everything they need to train for and compete in triathlons.
Competing in triathlons can yield rewards; the contentment that comes with self-betterment, the self-assuredness that follows losing weight and sculpting muscle, and the euphoria that accompanies crossing the finish line. With proper training, equipment and a good mindset, participants can have a fun, challenging and even life-changing experience by competing in triathlons.
Sources:
Watson, Lance. "3 Key Workouts." Inside Triathlon: The Multisport Life. 17April 2003. 20 June 2007
http://www.insidetri.com/portal/news/news.asp?it em=100021
Choosing a Triathlon Training Plan. Beginner Triathlete.com. 28 Aug. 2004. 20 June 2007.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-de tail.asp?articleid=19
About Us. Onetri.com. 2006. One Triathlon Gear, Inc. 20 June 2007.
http://www.onetri.com/about_us.php
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