Discovering Which Distance is Right for You

     When you look at all of the different lengths and different types of triathlons, it is easy to not know which one you would like to compete in. Regardless of your goals you should start with a sprint or an olympic triathlon in order to fully understand what it takes to complete a triathlon under pressure.
     Many people like to be able to find a distance that they really like and stick with that for years. Others, however, may try all of the different types of triathlons and enjoy mixing it up. This is difficult because it is best to train for one specific distance rather than training for an ironman and competing in an olympic distance triathlon.
     Try what you want but remember to be careful when training and always make sure that it is something that you want to do, not something that you feel like you have to do.

    

Different types of Triathlons

     There are four different lengths to a triathlon: sprint, olympic, half-ironman and ironman. Each has its own difficulty and its own techniques.
     A sprint triathlon is the shortest of the four. It consists of a .75 kilometer swim, a 20 kilometer bike ride, and a 5 kilometer run. It is for people that are new to triathlons and for people that like to keep a fast pace the whole race. If you cannot train for more than ten hours a week, I would recommend this distance for you.
     An olympic triathlon is a 1.5 kilometer swim followed by a 40 kilometer bike ride and then finished with a 10 kilometer run. This type of athlete would be someone that has a solid amount of endurance built up and people who can spend 10 to 15 hours a week training.
     A half-ironman triathlon consists of a 1.2 mile run, a 56 mile bike ride , and a 13.1 mile run. This is for people who have been competing in triathlons for over one year and have at least 20 hours a week to train.
     An ironman is the longest triathlon there is. It consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a marathon (26.2 mile run) to finish the race. These are for the most experienced of triathletes that can dedicate at least 30 hours a week in training.

Swimming Technique

Swim training 19 By Michael Lokner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lokner/3551186181/

     Swimming can be broken down into two parts: arms and legs. Your arms are doing one thing while your legs are doing another at the same time.
     Your legs should never stop moving while you swim. There should be a nice 3 to 1 ratio of kicks per stroke when swimming. try to focus on keeping your legs straight and have them kicking at a constant rate.
     A lot of people think that the faster you move your arms, the faster you will go. This is not true. When swimming, your arms should guide your body as you reach forward and then pull the water back. When you reach, you should try to reach as far as you can and slice through the water. When you pull, You should be feeling it in your chest. This is where a lot of your speed comes from.
     It is important to remember that the best swimmers have a small splash. Try to minimize your splash by focusing on everything.

To Train or Not To Train

     In the off season of triathlons, I find myself getting lazy with my workouts. I debate whether or not I should go all out in a workout just to see where I am or if I should just stick with my basic "just stay in shape" workouts. There really isn't an off season for triathletes, but I like to know that I don't have a competition any time soon.
     The more I think about training the less I actually want to go and do it. I believe that the winter time is a good time to focus on the fundamentals of each part: swimming, cycling, and running. In order to do this you must do your workouts at a comfortable pace and try to over exaggerate everything. If you do this, the "off season" will not last so long.

Goggles for Life

Goggles By Julie K in Taiwan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliekintaiwan/143427203/

     When we go to the store we can try on all of the clothes that we want to make sure that they are the perfect fit. If we want to, we can even walk around in them for a little while. You know, get the feel for them. The thing about shopping for a good pair of goggles is that we can't try them on in the store.
     Do you know what size nose piece you have? Do you think that you would be able to tell just by looking through a package? I didn't think so. Also, some goggles might fit you perfectly when you aren't in the water, but right when they touch one drop of water, they leak like its their job.
     My recommendation is, if you ever find a pair of goggles that fit you perfectly, remember them. Hold on to that pair of goggles for your life. Take care of them like they were your baby, because it can take a long time to find the perfect pair of goggles.

How Much Do You Inspect Your Shoes?

171.365 By rbbaird
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbbaird/4636728964/

     When looking for a good type of running shoe, what are the things that matter most? For me, I like my shoes to be a little tight around my foot, yet still be comfortable. It's not only about the comfort though, I also try to go for the look. I'm an athlete and people should be able to tell that I am by looking at my name brand athletic apparel. Anyway, I think that people buy shoes for many different reasons.
     For a triathlete, shoes are like a mathematicians calculator or a chefs frying pan, without them, you probably won't get very far. When you go to get your shoes, know what you want, know how much you are willing to spend and know how to inspect a shoe.
     How do You inspect a shoe? To inspect a shoe you first have to look at it. Decide if you like they way it looks. Then, try it on. Is the bounce nice? Do they fit right? How do you think they will feel after running a 5k? Then, tug on the sides a little bit to see how much they stretch out. I like to have a little stretch in my running shoes for the occasional swollen ankle.
     Happy shopping!

Are Triathlons Easier if Your Flexability is High?



HathaYoga Championships -Bikram-Ron Sombilon Gallery (466) By Ron Sombilon Gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23889619@N04/4151856340/


     If you are flexible, your muscles have a larger range to extend and give you a better projection when running and swimming.
     When you are swimming, flexibility plays a major role in the extension of your forward arm. It will give you a better "glide" motion and help when you make the second part of your stroke by allowing you to pull more water.
     When you are running, flexibility help you complete an entire leg rotation and make it so you can spring off of the ground easier.
     Cycling is in another category because being flexible doesn't help cycling too much, do to the fact that your legs can only go where your pedals allow.
   All in all, your flexibility will help you immensely, from start to finish. You can get a better stretch before and after races and help prevent pulled muscles.