| Dating back to ancient Greek times, a triathlon | | | | they started. Once the athletes are out of the |
| tests the skills of athletes in a competition | | | | water, the next phase of the triathlon begins that |
| comprised of three different events. The most | | | | requires a change of clothes into cycling gear. |
| common triathlon involves swimming, cycling and | | | | Triathlon Strategies |
| running. In this order, it is the swimming portion of | | | | When preparing your game plan for the |
| this competition that sets the tone for the rest | | | | competition, you should aim for going long, easy |
| of the contest. Athletes participating in modern | | | | and fast. This takes a lot of practice to master. |
| triathlons usually tackle all three events | | | | Most cyclists and runners believe that the |
| back-to-back. The official time received by | | | | endurance they already possess will make them a |
| athletes is a combination of their overall | | | | better swimmer, but this is not always true. |
| performance, including clothing changes and | | | | Cyclists and runners need to strengthen different |
| transition times from one event to another. | | | | muscles for the swim. |
| Training for these individual events includes learning | | | | Triathlon Training Tips |
| techniques that help to preserve the energy and | | | | 1) Start your training early for best results. |
| endurance of an athlete. There are various | | | | 2) Always take heed of the importance of proper |
| strategies and training approaches that both | | | | breathing, have a relaxed state of mind and body, |
| amateur and professional triathlon athletes adhere | | | | maintaining good body position and having a |
| to. Not all triathlons are the same in distance or | | | | positive attitude. |
| details. For example, the Ultraman Triathlon, held | | | | 3) While training, avoid movements by any part |
| every year in Hawaii, takes three days to | | | | of your body that may slow down your forward |
| complete, including 320 miles of total distance. | | | | movement. This includes no deep kicking and |
| Triathlon Swimming | | | | minimal head movement. |
| The start of the triathlon begins with the | | | | 4) To increase the speed of your swimming, |
| swimming portion of the competition. Athletes | | | | interval training is a must. Rotate timed trials using |
| prepare for the swim by changing into appropriate | | | | very short, medium and long rests. A popular |
| swim gear. Different starts are used for various | | | | training exercise is the 2000 ladder, which consists |
| races. This will depend on the number of people in | | | | of 400, 4x100; 300, 4x75; 200, 4x50; 100 and |
| the race or how much distance will be covered. | | | | 4x25. |
| Traditional Iron-distance races use a mass start, | | | | 5) Join an organized group to swim with that will |
| where all athletes enter the water at the same | | | | eventually push you towards a higher level of |
| time. Another approach is the wave start, which | | | | competition, filled with an extra boost of |
| allows athletes to begin the race in intervals. This | | | | confidence and encouragement. |
| is a common practice used in amateur | | | | 6) Consider the use of fins during training to burn |
| competitions. | | | | calories, strengthen legs, increase speed and |
| Athletes swim around numerous marked buoys, | | | | improve stroke. |
| completing the race at the same place where | | | | |