What is triathlon ?
A triathlon consists of 4 main elements. Swimming, cycling, running and transition. The 4 elements are completed in succession with your total time, including transition, being your race time.What are the distances, they seem to vary a lot ?
Triathlons come in all shapes ans sizes, but the generally accepted distances are (in swim, bike, run order):Super Sprint 400m / 10km / 2.5km (sometimes called Novice or Try a Tri)
Sprint 750m / 20km / 5km
Standard 1500m / 40km / 10km (aka 'Olympic')
Middle 2.5km / 80km / 20km (sometimes called Half Ironman - the run is sometimes 21km 13.1 miles= half marathon)
Ironman 3.8km / 180km / 42.2km
Sometimes an element will vary. For instance the Haddington Sprint Triathlon has a 7km run instead of 5km.
What is 'transition' ?
This is the part of the triathlon where you swap from one element to the other. T1 (transition 1) is between swimming and cycling. T2 (transition 2) is between cycling and running. During transition, you prepare for the next element as quick as possible. This includes putting on a bike helmet, removing a wetsuit, putting on trainers, etc.How does it work ?
After registering, you lay out the items you need at T2 for the run. This usually includes a bright towel or T-shirt, that is laid out, so you can easily find your gear. On this you set out your trainers, cap, drinks bottle, etc. You then go to T1 to rack your bike. The same situation occurs there. You lay out everything you need for the cycle ride. Then you make your way to the swim start.Should I swim the first two lengths really fast?
(There does seem to be a lot of really thin people here.)No. Swim the first two lengths at a really comfortable pace, and then swim the rest at a really comfortable pace. I know you are all excited and have spent the last six months learning to swim freestyle, but please try not to swim fast right at the start, you haven't even got on the bike yet and you have got to try and run after that.
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Yes. Then swim the rest of the lengths even faster. This is a race, not a spa session.
What kit will I need? Is it expensive?
The basics are obviously just swim kit, bike and helmet and running kit. But there are a few mandatory bits that you might not think of:Number belt - this is a bit of string to hang your race number on. When you run, you normally have a number on your front. When you cycle, it's invisible, so it goes on your back. To make it easier to move from one t'other, it goes on a wee bit string, rather than being pinned on (can you imagine undoing 4 pins to move it front to back?!
)Helmet - you must have a bike helmet
Swim cap - you will probably be given a swim cap at the race registration (or poolside). These often indicate waves or groups for the swim start.
Sunglasses (or clear glasses) - for biking. Flies in eyes, wind etc.
Goggles - if you swim with them. Which everyone does!