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Give it a TriFeb 01 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Train - Organize - Have Fun. So you've decided to enter a triathlon? Great idea! There are few experiences which will give you the feeling of accomplishment like that from finishing a triathlon. Now that you've decided to do a triathlon, what's next? I would recommend selecting the triathlon distance. Distances will range from fun/sprint distances to unltra-Ironman distances. At the shorter distance range, the sprint triathlons are great for a first timer. You can find such races at local pools, health clubs, triathlon clubs, etc. This can consist of as little as a 200 yard swim, a 5-10 mile bike and a 3 mile run. At the other end of the spectrum are Ironman distances - 2.4 mile open water swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Leave this distance for later. A great middle ground, and also a good goal for a first time triathlon, is the Olympic distance, so named because it is the same distance as the official Olympic Triathlon. This consists of about a 1 mile swim (1.5 km), a 25 mile bike (40 km) and a 6.2 mile run (10km). Now that you have selected the distance, find a race. You can find a race on-line (active.com, transitiontimes.com, and epinions.com all have race schedules and reviews). I have reviewed a few triathlons myself here on ePinions. Another source is at local running and sports stores. Many times flyers are posters announcing triathlons are available there. Also, check out national triathlon publications - Triathlete and Inside Triathlon (see my reviews of this pubs). They have some great advice and also have race schedules. Now you have the distance and a race selected. What's next? Training! You will need to feel comfortable with all 3 events. Swim: Here, you will need to find a pool or open water. A pool has the benefits of warmth (generally), cleaner (again, generally) and a set distance for speed work. If you can join a Masters swim program, your swim time will improve dramatically. Look on the U.S. Masters swim website - they have every masters program in the U.S. listed. You will also need a swim suit and goggles (see my review of Barracudas for some goggle info). A swim cap, kick board and pull bouys are also helpful. Aside from having the lanes for training, a swimming pool offers another advantage over open water - safety. If you decide to do some open water swimming, never do it alone. Also, if it is cold, you will probably want a wetsuit. Bike: The bike training can be costly, but need not be. A solid entry-level tri bike can be picked up for a few hundred dollars. Look at eBay and tribuy.com for good tri bike deals. At the higher end, where materials like carbon fiber and titanium are used, prices can be in the many thousands (see my reviews of carbon fiber bikes and bike parts, and of the Kestrel bike). Other bike "extras" you may want include clipless peddles, aero bars, aero wheels, water bottles and/or hydration packs, bike gloves, bike computer, sunglasses, and - mandatory in most races - a good quality helmet. (I have reviews of almost all of these things - click on the LegalOpinion link above). The bike training is also the most time consuming. It helps to train with friends, but don't become too dependent on "drafting" off of friends - this is illegal in many triathlons. Run: The running is simple. Get a good quality pair of running shoes and run. A sports watch will also help. There are many books and websites devoted to running and triathlon training. Some people find a heart rate monitor very helpful also. I use a Polar model (again, see my review of this training aid). Bricks: A brick is a training element where you practice the bike to run part. When the triathlete gets off his or her bike and starts to run, the legs feel heavy and slow. Practicing this transition in your training makes it easier. To do this, simply do a training ride and immediately follow it up with a run. I have found this to be so helpful, I do atleast 2 brick sessions a week and actually find my runs to be faster in the bricks! Race Day! Once you have put in all the training miles and it is the day before the race, what should you do? Organize! You will want to be familiar with the race course and the rules. If possible, train on the course prior to the event, or at least scout it out. Also, read and re-read all rules. You won't want to flush all your training away because you didn't read the rule that all bike helmets must be on and buckled prior to leaving the transition area. The night before the race may be tough for you. You may be nervous and sleep may be difficult. Don't worry. Try to relax in the confidence that you have trained and prepared well. If this doesn't help, don't worry. I have done some races with only a few hours of interupted nervous sleep. I have found that it is actually more beneficial for your race that you sleep well 2 nights before the race, with the night before the race not really adding or detracting from the performance. When you set up your gear, lay them out in an organized manner. I like placing my helmet across the handlebars, like a basket. In the helmet I put in my bike gloves and glasses. This prevents me from leaving the transition area without my helmet and it decreases the chances of my losing my glasses or gloves. I place my socks in my cycling shoes. I find it is helpful to dust the inside of the shoes and socks with baby powder - makes it easier to slip into when your feet are damp from the swim. Along with this, a small towel is nice to wipe off your feet. I place all these under my bike so that they aren't kicked by other triathletes. Likewise, I place my running gear - usually just my shoes - under the bike. That way when I come back from the ride, my shoes are right there. As for the swim, you will want to stretch well before the event. If possible, a short little practice swim can help get the breathing down and loosen you up. Put anti-fog or spit in the goggles to prevent them from clouding up. If the race is a mass start, you will want to be prepared for the shoving, kicking and slapping that - while all inadvertent - will always happen. When there are hundreds of hands and feet starting in the same area of water, you will be hit, pushed under water, swimming over somebody. It can be very frightening. Just concentrate on breathing and you will survive. If it makes you feel better, start near the back of the pack. You won't loose time from putting goggles back on which were knocked off and your breathing will be easier. Near the end of the swim, switch to the frog kick/breast stroke. The last few yards of this stroke won't slow you down and it will get more blood into the legs for the bike and run. Upon exiting the water, if you are wearing a wetsuit, take the wetsuit off as soon as possible (without getting in other competitors' way). The wetsuit comes off easier if it is still wet. Also, lubricants such as Body Glide are great (see my review of that also). From the swim, get ready for the bike. A lot of people wear their swimsuits for the whole race - it eliminates the time wasted in changing. However, a long bike ride in Speedos can cause some chafing (again, BodyGlide can help), so it is your call. A tri short is very useful - it has padding for the bike ride, doesn't bunch up in the wetsuit, dries quickly and is comfortable for thr run. Have your bike set up in an easy gear so you can get moving faster without struggling. Follow the directions and by mindful of other racers. If you are slower, stay to the right to allow them to pass. If you are passing, say "On your Left" so that the other cyclist doesn't swerve in front of you. If it isn't a "closed" course, beware of traffic and traffic laws. Be sure to drink plenty of water and take fuel (bananas, figs, PowerBars or Gu - see my reviews of those last two). Near the end of the ride, switch to an easier gear and stand up on your pedals to stretch out your calves. From the bike to the run, be polite to other competitors and place your bike gear back in place so no one trips over it. Put on your running shoes and run. If it is cool, a t shirt or synthetic running shirt is nice. If it is warm, a singlet is better. For women, a job bra works well throughout all 3 events. Start a bit slowly so your legs and breathing adjusts (here is where the bricks pay off). Again, be sure to drink well and be aware of your electrlyte needs if it is really hot or long - here a sports drink can help. I like to give hellos and words of support to other people on the run. I also like to receive the same. When you finish the run and cross the finish line, smile. Because you have just finished your goal and because this should be fun. Good luck. I hope to see you out there.  |
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