January 27th, 2012 — Clothes and Gear, Just for Women, Swim Bike Run
Dressing for your first triathlon can be a challenge. It’s easy enough to dress to go running, but you’ll be cycling and swimming, too, so do you choose one outfit for all three races, or change each time? The time you take between events counts toward your overall time so you want to minimize it as much as possible.
Unless you’re terribly fashion conscious or very modest, you can probably do the entire race in a simple one-piece swimsuit, or a top and bathing suit bottoms. You’ll want to wear a sports bra, no matter what you wear on top, just for adequate support. And you may choose to wear tight-fitting shorts like biking shorts even for the swimming portion. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference, depending on how you feel comfortable.
Some things to consider are whether or not you’re comfortable cycling in a swimsuit, or you’d rather slip on bike shorts for that portion of the race. Alternatively, do you want to go running in the triathlon in bike shorts that you wore swimming and now are wet? It doesn’t take that long to change, and it’s much better to be dry and comfortable as possible instead of distracted by your clothing as you forge through the race.
You can purchase special triathlon shorts
, if you’d rather avoid time spent changing, that can be worn the whole race. They’re similar to biking shorts, but are designed to be worn during the swimming portion while protecting you from chafing during the cycling and not weigh you down during the running part of the triathlon race.
You can also opt to wear special swimming gear, like a wetsuit. A wetsuit will keep you warm, but unless the water is strangely cold that day or the triathlon is in an usual place, water temperature usually isn’t a factor. Wetsuits can also help you stay above the water. If you opt to wear a wet suit, wear your running clothes beneath it to make the transition easier—just peel off the wetsuit and go.
If you want to wear a wetsuit for the swimming portion, be sure you purchase a triathlon wetsuit, not one designed for scuba diving or other water sports. Triathlon wetsuits have slicker outside which promotes faster swimming, and they’re much more easily removed than other wetsuits.
Also, some prefer wearing socks, some blister without them. If you can manage without them, you’ll save time when it comes to the swimming portion. Elastic laces eliminate the need to tie and untie the shoes, as well. You can wear the same shoes for both running and cycling—special cycling shoes clipped to the pedals aren’t necessary.
The most important thing, though, after figuring out what triathlon clothing you prefer, is to train in that clothing. Don’t wait until race day to wear that triathlon wetsuit or shed your socks for running. You’ll swim, bike and run faster and better if you’ve practice in your triathlon clothing for quite a while already.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2008-12-08 18:13:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 23rd, 2011 — Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips
… 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 muscle, which gives you a much greater balance of the energy reserves when you transition from biking into running.
Sadly, there are also triathlon athletes that are not using these specific bikes, and they are putting themselves at an enormous disadvantage as a result. This is because most if not all of their pedaling power is coming from only a few of the muscles in their legs, and this is resulting in a much quicker loss of their vital energies. When you are an athlete, it is easy for you to see that science is capable of being a friend to you. In order for you to pick out the best of the best when it comes to triathlon gear, you need to be able to set your mind on a budget that is going to allow you to be competitive in not one but all three of the legs of this race. You should not, then, only be spending your money on a top of the line triathlon designed bike only to fail in the other aspects of the competition for example.
Sure, it may do you well to have a top of the line bike for the triathlon portion of the race, but a cheaper and better rounded bicycle may achieve the same. Who cares if your bike isn’t as sexy as a Ferrari, what you really need for it to do is get you through the race, getting the job done and keeping you in good shape along the way.
By budgeting a little less for your triathlon bicycle, you can spend more money on your shoes, your wet suit and any other items that you need for the entirety of this three leg race. You are going to need good goggles and a good wet suit if you want to do well in the swimming portion of the race and you are going to need good running shoes and comfortable running clothes if you want to run well. As a general rule, you should be investing in all of these things, rather than scrimping in one part of your gear and spending too much in another. It is definitely going to be a good idea for you to save up to make sure that you buy the right gear, because having the right gear can really make or break your ability to succeed in any triathlon competition. If you want to improve your training and improve your actual competition as a result, then choose the right gear and invest in the right things right off the bat.
Photo Credits: Diamondduste
Originally posted 2009-08-28 03:37:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 26th, 2011 — Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips, Triathlon Training
Triathlon races are among the most challenging things people will do in their lifetime. This is true no matter what your athletic level is. This is because you challenge your body to stand up to the abuse from three different sports back to back. Racing in one of the sports is enough to wear most people out. To complete the triathlon with a good time, you will need the right kind of training. This includes training in each other events as well as making the transitions from one event to the next.
Practicing Transitions
One place where people lose a lot of time is when they are transitioning from swimming to biking or from biking to running. The challenge you run into is the fact you will be wet from swimming and from sweat at every point in the challenge. This is why when training for triathlon races, it is important to train in changing your equipment from one event to the next in the fastest possible time. While you will not be able to have instantaneous changes, you will be able to shave off precious seconds from your final time.
Practicing Your Start
The norm for triathlon races is to start with a run into the water for your swim portion. You should practice being able to easily transition from a run into swimming. Some people prefer to dive in while others prefer to get under water and push off from the sandy bank. Choose the one which feels right to you and improve upon it. Time yourself in your ability to go from shore to full swim. The faster you are swimming, the faster you will reach your destination. Do not waste your time wading in as far as you can before you start swimming. Start swimming as soon as the water is almost to your groin.
Using a Training Schedule
Plan out how you will train for your triathlon. Proper scheduling is the only way to make sure you will be properly prepared for every part of triathlon races. You will be able to not only schedule out when you will be training and in what ways. You will be able to keep track of your progress and make expectations of how you will perform in your next training session. This will give you an accurate indicator of how you are progressing.
Use Dry Runs to Your Advantage
While you might not have the route of triathlon races available to you for training, you can create your own route for a dry run. Have a friend help you to make sure your equipment is in the right place and is left alone. This will help you to concentrate on making your transitions as well as running through the actual event. The first dry run should be much shorter than the length of the race you are competing in. As you get closer to the race, improve the length of the dry run. You will notice your endurance level increasing and your time decreasing.
Photo Credits: Mat Honan
Originally posted 2010-03-24 03:15:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 18th, 2011 — Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips, Triathlon Training
Some people think competing in a triathlon means wearing what you would normally wear in the different individual sports. This is not accurate. In fact, you should have special triathlon equipment to help you get the highest level of performance possible. Make sure you choose the equipment which is recommended by those who have competed in triathlons before. You should try the different components if possible to make sure they will work for you before using then in actual competition.
The Triathlon Wetsuit
The wetsuit is what you will start your competition in. This is dubbed as one of the more important pieces of triathlon equipment available. There are different styles which are available to you. In colder weather events, many people will opt for the long sleeve wetsuit. In warmer weather, most people will opt for the shorts only. Some people will simply wear the swimming trunks to start out the race when in warm months. Choose the one which will make you comfortable as you enter the water, swim and exit for a transition.
The Triathlon Bicycle
While it is possible to complete a triathlon with a road bike, the triathlon bike is considered to be much better. The specialized piece of triathlon equipment highlights a handlebar which has bars which will allow your skeleton to support your upper body. This will prevent stress on the back while you are riding the bike. This will make the transition to the running section a lot easier. You will notice other changes in the dimension of the bike including a frame which is lower to the ground and a more forward leaning angle to the seat tube. This is a good bike to buy if you plan to race in more than one triathlon in your life.
The Right Shoes
The shoes you wear are very important pieces of triathlon equipment. You should have different shoes for biking and for running. This will help you to perform at the top of your game. Your ability to change your shoes between sections is part of what will help to make a difference in your overall time. You do not want to lose what you are gaining by having the right equipment simply so you can have the ability to put it on.
Training Schedule
One of the most important pieces of triathlon equipment is something you will not even physically have during the race. This is the schedule you will follow as you are training for the event. Creating the right schedule is important to keep you on track. You will be able to create a schedule which will keep you challenged and will improve your endurance and strength. By following the schedule you create, you will have all of the tools you will need to succeed on the day of the race. This is the best way to make sure you will do your absolute best when it really matters.
Photo Credits: Mat Honan
Originally posted 2010-03-23 10:12:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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