Preparing For your Triathlon With the Right Gear

bikingMost people who are facing the concept of their first triathlon are wondering what type of gear and equipment will best suit them. Depending on your skill level, your budget and what equipment you currently own, your needs for the right gear will certainly be difficult. Assuming that budget is a concern and you are dealing with a relatively short triathlon rather than an ironman competition, here are some considerations that you need to keep in mind:

Swimming –

You are definitely going to want to have a good pair of goggles, so do not be afraid to drop $20 or $30 dollars here. You do not want to go cheap when it comes to a nice pair of goggles, because these really go a long way. Visit a real sports store and buy a pair of rubber sealed goggles. As far as swimming attire goes, you can go the wetsuit route, or you can choose a triathlon in a climate that allows you to dress more casually. If you do decide to go the route of the wetsuit, then you are going to need to learn how to get in and out of the wetsuit quickly in order to perform well during the competition. If you own biking shorts that have a pad built in, then you may be able to swim in them, negating the need to purchase a separate swimsuit. Girls may aim to wear a one or two piece with a T-back, making sure to choose something that is light and comfortable.

Biking -

A bike can certainly blow a budget, so don’t worry about getting a good bike until after a few races. Right now, just worry about using whatever bike you can borrow, or already have stored in your garage. Road bikes, ten speed bikes and mountain bikes are all acceptable in these types of races. Make sure at the very least, however, that you have cage pedals. Biking helmets are also a complete must because you cannot participate without one. Padded bike shorts or a soft, gel pad seat are also vital so address these issues sooner rather than later.

Running -

Do not skimp when it comes to good shoes. Spend a little money here and it will certainly pay off in the end. Make sure that your shoes are being fitted properly. As far as running wear goes, make sure that you are choosing something comfortable, light and airy in order to best survive your run. Many people throw lightweight running clothes over the attire they wear for biking and swimming, and this makes the transition from one sport to the next much more fluid. You may want to consider this, but ultimately it is up to you what you choose.

There is also a lot of fun gear that you can buy to customize your experience during each triathlon race. Just don’t go too overboard at first until you know what you really need.

Photo Credits: envisionpublicidad

Originally posted 2009-06-14 12:26:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • triathlonAttain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 2 ... Continued from Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 1: The seat tubes have steeper angles and they allow for more of the leg muscles to be contributing to the pedaling force. Since more body muscles are being engaged, there is less strain being placed on each individual......
  • packingTriathlon Packing Checklist Are you a new triathlete or someone that has been around the track a few times? Whether you are brand new or have been doing this for a while, you should have an appreciation for how nice it is to have all of your gear packed up and ready to......
  • trainingTriathlon Tips Which Really Work Competing in a triathlon is one of the most challenging experiences you can hope for. This is why so many people look for good triathlon tips. This is because while many will be happy just to finish, others would like to move up in the rankings as they compete in......
  • swimgearSwim Gear There is more to swim gear than just a pair of swim trunks. The gear you purchase will help you to train as well as during competitions. You do not have to spend a lot on the stuff you will use. The important thing is more just to have the......
  • runnerRunning in a Triathlon Triathletes have a bigger challenge than just the cyclist, the swimmer or the runner since they have to compete in all three sports consecutively.  Very often, an athlete will excel at one or two parts of the competition but have room for improvement in the third, and this will very......
Online Stores

The Secret to Running Marathons Like a Pro

Marathons are run in every city. There are some more popular than others. Each offers its own challenges for the participants. No matter what skill level the marathon you are looking to enter, you are sure to want to perform well. This means doing much more than just crossing the finish line. If you would like to place high when running marathons, it will take the right kind of training exercises. It will also take the right kind of precautions to avoid injury. There are a few things you can do to make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary training for a marathon.

Avoid Injury

One of the most common mistakes people make when running marathons is tearing muscles while training. This is possible when you increase the amount of running to the level which is necessary for a marathon. The best training for a marathon means starting at least a year in advance of the marathon. This will allow you to gradually increase the speed and the distance which you are running. You should gradually increase not by the day, but by the week. This is the kind of gradual increase which will help to condition your muscles.

Stretching is one of the most important parts of marathon running which will help you avoid injury. Because you are running much longer than an ordinary run, you will have to do a more intense stretching. This means stretching before you get started. You should then run for about a half mile and stretch again. This will allow your muscles to get a more thorough stretch because they will have heated up from the exercise. The looser your muscles are, the less chance you have of tearing any muscles while you run.

Use High Intensity Training

It will benefit you to take breaks in your long distance running to use High Intensity Training. This is where you run as hard as you can for a short period of time. Take a break half as long as your exercise and then repeat. This should be done for about 15 minutes. The intervals should be one minute of running and 30 seconds of resting. This might sound like training for a sprinter, but it has been proven to be highly effective in creating endurance, strength and stamina which is handy when running marathons. Complete three of these sets in a day and you will increase your breathing capacity and so much more.

Running the Route

Good advice for anyone running marathons like a pro is to run the route you will be racing on for at least a month. If the route is not available to you, it will help you to run a route which has similar changes in elevation and the right length. This is not always easy to find. Some runners turn to stationary tracks to simulate the route. This is only recommended if you integrate it with running on the ground. There is a difference between running on a stationary machine and running on the ground.

Photo Credits: infomatique

Originally posted 2010-03-28 03:57:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • trainingTriathlon Tips Which Really Work Competing in a triathlon is one of the most challenging experiences you can hope for. This is why so many people look for good triathlon tips. This is because while many will be happy just to finish, others would like to move up in the rankings as they compete in......
  • kidsbikingMore Children Bike Competitively The popularity of biking in America has meant an increase in how many children bike competitively. There has been a switch between those who bike for fun and those who are biking for a reason. This creates a unique opportunity for parents who enjoy biking and would like to share......
  • mountainbikeChoosing the Bicycle Rides Which Are Right for You The bicycle rides you choose will depend on how you will be using them. When you are talking about rides, you are talking about your bike. Something people are not aware of when they first buy a bike is that there are different rides they can choose from. You can......
  • runningA 10k Training Program Which Works So, you have signed up for your first 10k race. You are nervous about how you will perform in the race. This is understandable. This is why you are looking for the best 10k training program to get started the right way. The good news is there have been a......
  • bikemaintenanceBicycle Maintenance Any vehicle you own is going to need maintenance to keep performing reliably. If you would like your bicycle to not leave you stranded out on the trail, then you need to keep it in good working condition. If you love your bike, then your bike will love you back.......
Online Stores

Taking Swimming for Fitness to the Next Level

Swimming is one of the few sports in which the entire body gets worked out. This is why so many people are swimming for fitness. They like the idea that 30 minutes in the pool is like an hour on the track. The problem some people find in the swimming is monotony. This is why many people have been turning to competitions as a way to excite things a little bit. This is a fun way for even those who are not competitive to have another reason to get in the pool and give it their all.

Swimming Meets

Most any gym which offers swimming for fitness will have some kind of swim meet they hold. If you cannot find one at your gym, you can often find them in the parks and recreation department of your area. You can sign up for the age group or skill level you are at. This will allow you to get involved in a competition which will be at your level. As your strength and skills progress you can elevate the level of competition you are entered into.

Swim Clubs

Most cities will have swim clubs you can join up with. These are clubs which go well beyond swimming for fitness. In fact, these are the kinds of organizations which are responsible for training Olympic athletes as well as professional athletes. You will be able to find higher levels of competition, not to mention better instruction to improve your swimming techniques. Not all swim clubs are open to the public. You may have to meet some qualifications before you are able to join. Just take a look at the club you are thinking about joining before asking to become a member to make sure you qualify.

Competing in Triathlons

For those who pursue more than just swimming for fitness, the triathlon is a great way to take your competition to the next level. This is a competition which includes swimming, biking and running. It is a total test of your abilities both in strength and in stamina. Most people are happy with just finishing the triathlon, so there is no shame if you do not come in the top ten. Training for such an event will take your fitness to a whole new level. To understand the scope of the competition, imagine your average swimming workout and then add biking and running to it.

Maintaining Fun

No matter whether you are swimming for fitness or for competition, make sure you make it fun. This is the only way you will be able to approach the training you will have to accomplish every day without resenting it. Your training and your exercise should not be something you force yourself to do. If it is, you are just doing the wrong thing. Finding something which will be fun for you will allow you to return to it every day with excitement. This will help you to stay fit as well as bring more joy into your life.

Photo Credits: Greg Livaudais

Originally posted 2010-03-22 03:06:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • runninggroupJoining Running Groups for Fun and More For many people, there is nothing more they need from running than the shear thrill of running. Others run for the exercise but take no special joy in it. Others still seek to run on a more competitive level. No matter what you are looking to get out of running,......
  • triathlonTriathlon Training 101 Given your background, do you know which triathlon training program is going to be ideal? Where does one even get started? We all come from vastly different injuries, backgrounds, genetics and so on and so forth, so there is no one size fits all solution to planning for a triathlon......
  • swimmer1Planning and Preparing for your Swimming Triathlon Make sure that you plan long ahead of time by making a list of the materials that you are going to need in order to participate in the swimming portion of your triathlon. Here is a list of basic supplies that you are going to need for your training regimen......
  • roadbikeGuide to Buying a Good Beginner Road Bike People every year discover a joy never realized before in riding a bicycle. What most people face is a huge dilemma when they go to buy a beginner road bike. Even talking to friends about what they recommend is enough to blow your mind. You end up with a lot......
  • triswimCurious About What is Involved in Training for a Triathlon? For people who are not professional athletes but are still interested in training for a triathlon, the concept of training ahead of time might seem like a lot of impossible work with no guarantee of any rewards. In reality, training for a triathlon is something that is well within your......
Online Stores
amount of time athlete bicycle bikes cadence capabilities competitions cyclists distances endurance exercise finish line fitness flexibility goggles good time handlebars legs money muscles pace pool runners running shoes sessions shape sprint stamina stroke swimmer swimmers torso training regimen transition triathlete triathletes triathlon triathlon bike triathlon events triathlon race triathlons Triathlon Training water bottle wet suit workout