Resources on the Sport of Triathlon

Are You a Fit Triathlete?
This is an article about Sarah Scott, President and Founder of Ironsmith, who believes in triathlon performance testing before a competition should be done on a continuous basis. She does this because triathlete progress reports provide a great check up on biking, swimming and running skills. To monitor fitness, heart rates, as well as times are recorded. As triathlon specific fitness improves the athlete will be able to swim, bike and run faster at lower heart rates and resist fatigue at lactate threshold for longer periods of time.

The Psychological Side of Triathlon Training
This is an article written by a well-known triathlete and triathlon coach. In it, he states that everyone knows that training for a triathlon requires considerable practice in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, but many beginner triathletes neglect the equally important aspect of preparing themselves mentally. He recommends trying to control "what if thinking" during, and prior to, the race. One of the best ways to control fear and anxiety is to practice mental imagery. Successful athletes use this technique to prepare themselves for the expected and unexpected things that might happen in a triathlon.

Triathlon Training: Running, Swimming and Cycling
This website has useful training information, as well as a free newsletter with triathlon training tips. Articles cover triathlon training and racing, swimming, running, cycling, duathlon, aquathlon, nutrition, and more. These articles are updated once a month, and offer topics such as: power cycling training, altitude training, ironman training taper, maximizing training, triathlon nutrition, triathlon psychology, cramping and stitches, triathlon plyometrics, triathlon training and hypnonatremia.

Triathlon Race Preparation
Although this guide is basic, it is filled with useful information. It suggest making a checklist of things you need for the race. This usually includes: wetsuit, goggles, helmet, bike shoes, bike, spare tire, water bottles, socks, race numbers, towels, energy bars and sunscreen. It suggest planning race transitions mentally, checking your bike and packing up your triathlon gear. It's important to hydrate before the race, but not deplete sodium stores. Race day is not the time to experiment, according to this guide.

Triathlon Transition Tips: Running, Cycling, Swimming
Because you have three sports happening during a triathlon, it's as important to prepare from the transition to and from one sport into the next, as it is to train specifically for each sport. Preparing for both the swim-to-bike and bike-to run transitions, will increase your confidence on race day and give you advantage over other competitors. Some skills can be practiced in advance, while others are unique to a specific venue.