- Let’s Take it From the Top: The very basics
- Getting Started: How do I begin?
- The Mechanics of a Triathlon: (not the folks who repair bikes, but how one works)
- Essential Equipment: What do you really need in order to race?
- Race Tips: Ways to shave off a few seconds here and there.
- Bike Links: Websites from the top bike names as well as gear review links
LET’S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP
This portion of the site is dedicated to those who have not yet competed in their first triathlon, or those who are just getting started and are still trying to get a grip on the basics. We’ve all been there at some point in our triathlon careers, it’s an exciting place to be! For whatever reason, you have decided to participate in this incredible sport, so let’s dive right in!
WHAT IS A TRIATHLON?
Well, technically you could probably get away with saying that a triathlon is a combination of any three “sports.” Anyone up for bass fishing, base jumping, and bowling? No? Well, thankfully the triathlon community is a little better structured than that. Your typical triathlon will consist of a swimming portion, a cycling portion, and a running portion. On some occasions the order is reversed just for kicks, but 99.9% of triathlons you encounter will follow the traditional arrangement. In the US, there are four pretty common classifications of triathlons. Events are classified by distance, and the following are fairly typical:
SPRINT: 400-750 meter swim, 10-15 mile bike, 5k run (3.1 miles)
INTERNATIONAL/OLYMPIC: 1500 meter swim, 40k (25 mile) bike, 10k run (6.2 miles)
HALF/HALF IRON: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
FULL/ULTRA/IRON (as in Ironman): 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run
Distances can vary somewhat for Sprints and Olympics, but this list will give you a reasonable idea of what to expect.
GETTING STARTED
So where do you start? What kind of shape do you need to be in? What type of gear is required? Do I need a new bike? Do I need a coach? How do I set up a transition area? All good questions, all answered right here. GET STARTED NOW!