Triathlon Training

OK, let's get right to it: Triathlon training! Lisa has a triathlon coming up in late April and has been training (with the excellent help of her coach.) First job of the coach - get the unwilling athlete out of bed. Very difficult.

A triathlon is a 3-event race: swim/bike/run. The distances vary from short "sprint" triathlons to the "ultra" triathlons like the well-known Ironman. Lisa's race is a 1/4 mile swim, a 14 mile bike race, and a 3.1 mile run.

As her tri-coach, I decided that a helpful training aid would be to simulate the race by doing a "practice tri" at our local pool, bike trail, and running route, covering the same distances of the actual race.



For safety reasons, triathlons start with the swim race and end with the run, (although I once entered a "reverse triathlon") Better to get tired during the final event, the run, than to conk out during the swim. Here is my little fish:

Remember, clicking on each picture opens it and then click on the "back" arrow to return.

Triathlons have two transitions: the swim-to-bike, and the bike-to-run. The first one is when you come from the swim, grab your bike gear, and head out for the bike race. Placement of your equipment is critical, and making an efficient transition can shave off time of your race. Gear, like your bike, towels, water, helmet, gloves, glasses, etc., is all laid out before the race in a specified transition zone. For this practice tri, we set up the transition area in the parking lot of the gym pool. And, remember: it's a race, so every minute counts!

When the race starts, you hit the water, do the swim as fast as you can, run to your transition area, dry off, grab your helmet, and head out on the bike race. You're wet, tired, and excited. Only one thought crosses your mind: "Did I take the clothes out of the dryer?"

In case you're wondering, I waited in the parking lot during the swim, but rode with my sweetie during the 14-mile bike ride, (tougher than you think) and then waited at home while she completed the run. As coach and photographer, I had a lot on my mind. I need lots of rest.

Here is the fun transition: the bike-to-run. You're almost done, fairly dry, and ready to head out for the run. You throw off your bike helmet and gloves, and go!

And finally, the run. Just over a three mile race, but you're dead from the swim and bike race you've just completed. Your legs feel like Jello when you first leave the bike and start the run since different muscles are used. After a few minutes, you start to recover and settle into your pace.

3.1 miles later, it's over for the sprint triathlon. Hard to believe that the Ironman is a 2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike over the hot Hawaii lava beds, followed by a marathon, a 26.2 mile run. For this practice tri, Lisa was glad to arrive safely at our house and finish. Lisa did great, but as coach, I was exhausted.
Look for the real race in late April!