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What is a Triathlon? A triathlon is an endurance sport, competition that includes three legs of a race, swimming, cycling and running. To be good at competing in and doing triathlons you have to be good at all three sports, swimming, cycling and running. Being good at only one of the three sports will not get you a good time in races. |
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SWIMMING Swimming is the first leg out of the three. Many triathletes use altered swimming strokes to conserve energy for a long swim. Most triathletes have to swim in the out doors (not in a pool but in the ocean). Following a competitor closely to swim in their slipstream, gives them a advantage by drafting. The swimmers use body surfing to use a wave's energy for a bit of speed at the end of the swim stage. Because open water swim areas are often cold and because wearing a wetsuit provides a competitive advantage, specialized triathlon wetsuits have been developed in a variety of styles to match the conditions of the water. They have to swim, cycle and run in the same suit! |
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CYCLING Triathlon cycling is very different from most professional cycling races because it doesn’t allow drafting. Triathlon cycling is more closely resembles individual time trail racing. Triathlon bikes have special handle bars called "aero-bars" or "tri-bars". At the end of the bike segment, triathletes also often cycle with a higher "cadence" (revolutions per minute), which serves in part to keep the muscles loose and flexible for running. |
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RUNNING The running comes after the athlete has already been exercising in two other disciplines for an extended period of time. The effect of switching from cycling to running can be profound; first-time triathletes sometimes get pain sensation in their thighs a few hundred meters into the run, and discover that they run at a much slower pace than they are accustomed to in training. |
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RULES OF TRIATHLON Traditionally, triathlon is an individual sport, each athlete is competing against the course and the clock for the best time. Athletes are not allowed to get help from get help from anyone else inside or outside of the race. Triathlons are times in five sections, but the main ones are the swim time; cycle time (with transitions included); run time; and total time taken to complete the race. There are also other rules for triathlons which are allowable equipment. |
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By Isabella Freijah |