Triathlon Training 101

biketrainingAre you planning on training for your first triathlon? This is not an easy task for anyone to master if they do not know the ropes. There are three completely unique disciplines that are involved, and you are also going to need to be lifting weights and training in other ways. How are you going to find the time that you need in order to achieve this goal? This particular answer is actually a great deal easier than you think, if you have prepared yourself by choosing the right first triathlon.

In other words, let us start by selecting the right first triathlon. There are four different triathlon distances that you can choose from. The shortest distance types of triathlons are known as sprints. Because they are so short, they really are more like a sprint in nature, and therefore are typically regarded as the hardest ones to master. The second type of distance for a triathlon is twice what the sprint typically is, known as the international distance or Olympic distance triathlon. Where the sprint would end with a 5K run, the Olympic distance triathlon is going to end with 10K run. The Olympic distance type of triathlon is generally the most common one that you will find.

Once you have mastered what the sprint as well as the Olympic triathlon lengths have to offer, the third type of triathlon is the half ironman triathlon. This is a race that concludes through a 13.1 mile run. The final type of distance is the ironman distance, which ends with a 26.2 mile run. If you are doing your first ever triathlon, then you should be avoiding these two types of triathlon for fairly obvious reasons. Even if you do believe that you have the stamina as well as the endurance necessary for such a length, triathlons are about more than simply physical fitness. You need to work all of the kinks out with one of the smaller triathlon events in order to prepare yourself mentally as well as physically for the longer triathlon events.

The sprint distance is typically 400 yards worth of swimming, 5 miles worth of biking and then 5K worth of running. You can spend time practicing for all of these triathlon events together, but if you do not learn how to transition from one to the next, and the second to the third, then you really are not as prepared as you think you are. Your goal for your very first triathlon training event should be to combine your running days and your biking days. Each and every single time that you get off your bike, you should begin running, even if you are only running for a few hundred yards. There is a serious muscle transition that needs to occur from pushing on your bike pedals to running. This particular muscle transition needed to excel in triathlon competitions is difficult to achieve unless you have spent time practicing, so do so!

Photo Credits: Ben Lawson

Originally posted 2009-06-26 16:22:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Curious 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 grasp, no matter what your current physical shape or abilities are. If you are serious about training for a triathlon and you are looking for the best way to get started, keep reading.

Many of the people who have regularly competed in triathlons actually began in the same state of inactivity as the next person. Some of these people only occasionally went to the gym or worked out before they decided to participate in these events. Many of these people found the inspiration to try out for a triathlon, and enjoyed the training and preparation process so much that they simply improved their physical capabilities over time. So if you are interested in training for a triathlon, you can be successful in time regardless of your current physical condition.

The real key when it comes to training successfully for a triathlon is to begin slowly, and simply work your way up over time. There are three events involved in the triathlon: swimming, biking and running. You should add elements of training that correspond to all three of these events. You may want to consider joining a health club or a gym for the best results, because this will allow you to get your swimming, your biking and your running all in during a single visit, and you can time yourself as you go.

You should make sure to track your endurance, keeping track specifically of when your energy wanes. Many people find that they need to build up the endurance, stamina and strength in their legs in order to tackle the running and bicycling aspects of the competition. You may also find that you need to build up your upper body strength in order to do well in the swimming aspect of the competition.

Some trainers also find that their best course of action is to lose weight over all, increasing endurance and aerobic activity in the process. In order to achieve either of these goals, you should aim to begin small and slowly increase your aerobic activity and weight lifting over time. If you end up pushing yourself too hard when you are training to compete in a triathlon, you can quickly become discouraged, which will prevent you from accomplishing all that you are capable of achieving. You may also end up hurting yourself if you push yourself too hard without regard for your physical well being.

Pacing yourself is vital when you are training for a triathlon. It may seem slow going at times, but it is worthwhile if you want to train the right way. You may consider aiming for a mini triathlon or a Sprint competition if you feel more comfortable competing before you are ready for a real triathlon competition as well.

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Originally posted 2008-10-31 13:10:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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How to get to the Finish Line

There are many different reasons that a person may decide that they would like to compete or participate in a triathlon, do one of the multiple types of cycling, swimming or running and more. These are all activities that many people find enjoyable but are also all activities that take training. One of the main reasons that many run triathlons are the programs themselves they may be participating in.

Some triathlons or other related evens are for causes such as breast cancer or aids and more. This can mean a great deal to a person morally and emotionally especially if they have had a family member or have themselves had to deal with the cause that the event is for. Many of these events have proceeds that go to victims or to help these things not happen to more people and for many people this is very important and is there way of making a difference. In addition, it means that each person who participate counts and each person who can make it till the end also counts, to some their speed may count but to most it is simply having the endurance to be able to make it to the end.

As mentioned above the main thing a person will need to be able to complete a triathlon is endurance. For many people they prefer to say stamina is what is needed but no matter what way you chose to look at what is needed what a person’s main goal should be is to be in good enough shape to be able to make it across the finish line. This is true for running, swimming, cycling and triathlons. When competing in order to win you still should make sure to make a point of strengthening your stamina or endurance because these are what you need to be able to make it through a triathlon or a competition in any of these areas.

When training for endurance or stamina you need to be able to make time for yourself to be able to train and you need to start early. When you find out you will be entered into one of these events you should try to start building endurance as soon as possible. It can be helpful if you use the activity itself to help you build this endurance. This normally starts with setting a timed limit for these actions such as swimming for one hour or more or running for an hour and not allowing yourself to stop.

Some individuals need to start at much lower amounts of time such as five minutes or even fifteen, and then you work yourself to longer amounts of time. When you do this you are helping to make sure you will be able to pass that finish line. While some people compete simply to win others simply enjoy the feeling of knowing that they did it and that they achieved something that others have not been able to.

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Originally posted 2008-11-10 13:28:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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