Saturday 29 October 2016

What To Know About Triathlon Training

By Scott Bailey


Triathlon refers to a multi-stage competition that involves competitors completing three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines. Generally, triathlon involves running, cycling, and swimming, with the three activities completed in immediate succession over varying distances. The people who compete in this sport are called triathletes, and they compete for the fastest overall course completion time. Transition from one activity to another is also timed. The term triathlon has its origin in the Greek language where it translates to three sports.

Athletes change their gears in a transition region, which is provided to them in advance before race starts. In the transition area, athletes transition from swim to bike or bike to run. All the supplies and accessories the athlete needs such as bikes and sports gear are held in the transition area. Triathlon training is done intensively and vigorously to boost the endurance of the athlete in preparation for the race.

The first transition involves transitioning from swim to bike. This transition is called T1. The second transition involves transitioning from bike to run, and is referred to as T2. The overall time for the competitors include the time they spend in both T1 and T2. Since the number of participants can vary widely, transition areas vary in size a lot. Also, these areas are used as social headquarters before races begin.

The origin of triathlon lies somewhere in the 20s. However, the celebrated version as it is known began in 1974 in San Diego. The event was organized by two people called Johnstone and Shanahan. These two were associated with Track Club of San Diego. The first event incorporated running, biking, and swimming, but in a different order.

The global body responsible for governing this sport was founded in 1989. It is called the International Triathlon Union, ITU. The main goal of ITU at the time it was being established was to enter triathlon into the Olympics. Later, ITU would become the organizing and sanctioning authority for World Triathlon Series and World Cup. Three main competition levels exist, that is, age-group athletes, junior pro-athletes, and elite pro-triathletes.

To take part in an event, one needs to register and sign up before the actual race happens. When one registers, they are provided with a race number, timing band, and a colored swim cap. Timing bands are only provided in races where electronic means are used for timing. Rules, course of motion, and any problems that athletes need to be aware of are communicated in good time.

If the event is a major one, athletes are needed to check-in their bikes one or two days in advance. Once checked-in, the bikes are kept under guard at all times. Races may be started in any of the various methods of starting races. In a mass start, a single start signal is given and all athletes enter the water and start competing.

If an event is wave started, athletes are released in small bunches at predetermined intervals. A start signal is given at the lapse of the predetermined time intervals. This method is less commonly used in long races than in short ones.




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