Triathlon

Beginner Triathlete - 6 Swim Tips For Your First Triathlon

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:24:05 GMT

Are you a triathlon beginner intimidated by the swim? Don't feel bad - most beginners find the swim the toughest of the three disciplines. Here are 6 swimming tips to help you perform well during the swim at your first triathlon or to improve your swim time as you advance. 1. Swim technique. The more time you work on your technique, the more efficient your stroke and the less energy you will use during your swim. You can find 5 key techniques on the triathlon swim tips page on my site. You can also seek out help from a masters swim program.

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Triathlon Bike Tips: How To Pack a Triathlon Bike Case - Part One

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:12:02 GMT

Is your next big race halfway across the country? Traveling a long distance to a triathlon adds a lot of additional stress and potential problems before the starting gun even goes off. Here are some tips on how to pack your triathlon bike and gear so that everything gets to the transition area - including you - in good shape and ready to race. Here are the steps to packing a triathlon bike. Step 1: You start with a good bike case. If you travel a lot you should buy one. If you don't, go to your local bike shop and see if you can rent one (that is what I usually do).

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Triathlon Bike Tips: How To Pack A Triathlon Bike Case Part Two

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:00:05 GMT

In part one of this article we got you halfway through packing your triathlon bike. Here are the remaining steps to packing a triathlon bike. Step 7: You may need to tie your derailleur closer to your bike frame for it to fit properly into your case (this is especially true if you have one of the smaller cases like the one I'm using here). I just use an old shoelace, although you could also use a small bungie cord. Step 8: Now you start packing the bike. Put one of the layers of foam on one of the two sides of the case.

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The Wakefield Triathlon

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:44:01 GMT

The long drive up towards Leeds took about 5hrs through what I can only describe as ever changing weather. One minute there was gorgeous sunshine and the next, torrents of rain. My emotions were quite suttle, I didn't feel like I would be racing the next day. Arriving at Wakefield I was greeted with a muddy field, a splutter of rain and some appropriately unhappy marshalls. There was no parking next to the lake or near transition, instead we were given a place in a field just off the nearest roundabout.

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Triathlon Training - 7 Triathlon Training Tips

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:20:04 GMT

If you are a beginner or just getting started in triathlon, here are 7 more tips on how to train smart for triathlon: 1. Try the distance - Do a "practice event" at your own pace a week or two before the event. You will learn a lot that will help you during your race. Think about things like: - Pacing (for example, what pace do I need to do the swim in so the bike and run are doable?) - Practice your transition strategy. - How will you feel after riding and then transitioning to the run? - Can you do the entire swim without resting?

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Triathlon Swimming - 5 Keys To Improve Your Triathlon Swim Stroke

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:00:11 GMT

Swimming is the hardest of the three triathlon disciplines to master for most of the triathletes I coach. Probably the biggest reason is that swimming is the most "technique dependent" of the disciplines. If you just jump in a pool and start flailing around you not only won't improve, but you may actually "groove" a bad stroke and make it even harder to train yourself correct form. Regular swim stroke analysis is critical if you are going to groove a good, consistent freestyle stroke. Here are 5 keys I use to evaluate the swim stroke of the triathletes I coach: 1.

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5 Keys to Race Day Nutrition for Your Next Triathlon

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:20:02 GMT

I am often asked by triathletes, "What should I eat to kick butt in my next triathlon?" The answer is, "It depends." I'm not a nutritionist, but I have learned a lot about my own nutrition planning through years of training experience. Each individual is different, and if you really want a personalized plan you should seek out a professional nutritionist. Some basic tricks to proper triathlon nutrition include figuring out what will keep the athlete fueled for optimal performance (and help them recover quickly after the event or workout).

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Triathlon Training Plan - How Do I Get My Bike Miles Up?

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:48:02 GMT

I got a question this week from a triathlete struggling to build up mileage on his triathlon bike. This is a common challenge for triathletes. The trick here is to build mileage slowly and consistently. Here are some tips: Remember to consult your physician before starting any fitness program. 1. Build up mileage slowly. Most triathletes are competitive by nature and they tend to push themselves to the limit. Out of frustration they might try to do a 4-hour bike ride when their longest ride before that is only a couple of hours.

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Triathlon Swimming - Help - I Sink Like a Rock! 5 Keys to Swimming Level in the Water

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:08:02 GMT

I got an email from a beginner triathlete that went like this: "Can you help me with my triathlon swimming? When I get in the water I sink like a rock and can't keep myself near the top of the water. Any tips?" This is a pretty common problem for triathletes struggling with their swimming. It is an important problem to fix, too. The more of your body (low hips and legs) you have to pull through the water, the slower you go and the more energy you use during the swim. Slower and more tired getting out of the water is not a good combination.

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Triathlon Bike 101 - Getting Started

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:20:02 GMT

I met with one of my new triathlon clients recently and noticed 7 things during a quick 5 minutes review of his triathlon bike (this was after I begged him to bring his bike to one of his swim training sessions). Hopefully you can learn from these 7 issues: 1. Basic triathlon bike maintenance. The first thing I noticed was his chain - it was rusty. Six drops of chain lube could have prevented this rust. Beginner triathletes often know little about basic bicycle maintenance. The chain should be cleaned when dirty and lubricated.

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