Triathlon Training Guide

The triathlon is a rather young, but popular sport that started in the early 20th century. Triathlon is basically not an independent sport, but is a combination of three different disciplines, namely swimming, cycling and running. The three disciplines of triathlon are very much physically demanding, and one needs to complete all three disciplines in consecutive sequence, without a time interval to finish the event successfully. In short, the triathlon is not only physically demanding, but it also tends to test your endurance, killer instinct and an aptitude to strive for success. Overall, you need to be physically and mentally fit to compete and excel in this sport. The following is a brief, yet elaborate action plan that you can implement to compete in a triathlon heat.

Training Guide to Successfully Complete a Triathlon

You might consider the following to be a training guide for beginners, as some basic concepts have been elaborated in this guide.

Swimming
Swimming is the most exhausting discipline of a triathlon. While swimming in a triathlon event, you will have to compulsorily undertake the freestyle swimming technique as your stroke. Thus, step one is to undertake a series of freestyle sessions. Basically, you should be able to acclimatize yourself in the freestyle stroke, in order to comfortably swim in the freestyle for a prolonged period of time. A very good method that is used to master the freestyle is the 'gradual increase' method. On the first day try to swim say, 100 meters at a maintained and steady pace. Go increasing the quota till say, 2,000 meters. You should be able to comfortably and steadily swim 2,000 meters, without running out of breath.

The key to really master swimming for triathlon is to make your body get used to such a workout. An average human body, with regular levels of fitness, is able to withstand such physical exertions but at the cost of strength and stamina. To compete in a triathlon you will need to train your body in such a manner, that after getting out of the water, you should not be exhausted. To make a long story short, accustom yourself to a 2,000 meters swim. Afterward, you will need to start timing yourself in order to complete the said task in a least possible time. It must be noted that a standard swim of triathlon, according to Olympic standards is about 1,500 meters.

Cycling
The second discipline of triathlon is cycling. Many people underestimate cycling to be the easiest part of the heat. Well, to be very frank, it is a myth. Cycling, might be a pleasurable, but it is definitely not a simple one. The logical reason that why cycling is difficult, in a triathlon even, is that it is supposed to be done after swimming. Cycling should not be taken lightly because, a light approach would reduce the momentum of your body and it is definitely very difficult to regain such a momentum. In addition to that, if you think about cycling from a competition's point of view you would be able to get the lead of the whole heat, if you concentrate on the cycling part. The logic is simple, your competitors who are tired, are bound to lose the lead. The best way to develop your cycling speed is to gain control of your breathing and learn to cycle steadily. You must also master the art of slowly increasing your speed.

Running
Running is the most tedious disciplines of triathlon. The key to master this disciplines is to develop a steady pace of running and avoiding short sprint. Triathlon training basically, promotes any eventual and steady build up of stamina and endurance. Hence, the best advise about running that you can have is use the maximum span of your limbs. In short, stretch your legs to the maximum possible extent to get the maximum mileage out of each stride. It is also necessary to maintain a constant rhythm and steady pace while running. It is advisable that one learns to maintain a steady pace while running. A running workout is especially difficult and patience testing.

Remember, the key to complete a really good triathlon, is to be persistent and steady. One of my coaches often recommended that "...raising and reducing speed is a very bad option. Keeping it constant, is the best option...". It must be also noted that your own killer instinct plays a very important role in the total heat, the more determined you are the better your performance is. I hope that you find the triathlon training guide useful and resourceful. It has been written after 4 years of experience, as a national level triathlon contestant.

Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life! ~ Commander Collins, USN, promoter and early organizer of triathlon.