Triathletes are swimmers, cyclists, and runners. In some respects, perhaps we are especially cyclists -- particularly for those training and competing in long-course triathlon.

Many triathletes will be following the 2009 Tour de France, which is just days away. It begins on Saturday, July 4th.

Here's an overview to get you ready for the big event, with lots of fun ways to stay in the loop with all things Tour de France. Plus, interesting trivia and race facts for Tour de France spectators and fans.

So you've made the decision to train and compete in a triathlon.

You invested in the necessary gear and equipment, followed a sound training plan, and you've identified one or more triathlon events to compete in.

It would also be wise to be mindful of the triathlon rules. Here's why...

Compression socks are the newest rave on the triathlon scene as people seek every advantage and benefit possible through the best gear.

If you watched any of the Kona Ironman on TV, you noticed that many of the elite triathletes were wearing compression socks. Even triathlon guru, Joe Friel, discussed the issue of compression socks on his blog.

So, what follows is a crash course on compression socks to bring you up to speed and help you make an informed decision about using them.

For many triathletes it is the running aspect of the sport of triathlon that is the most demanding.

For some of us, running is the least enjoyable part of training and competing in triathlons. Putting in all those miles on the road running can take its toll on the body.

Most of us have had to deal with one or more injuries associated with running. If you're over 40, you may especially be concerned about managing the wear and tear of running.

A lot of focus is placed on correct technique when it comes to swimming. But what if I told you that there was a running technique that would result in:

• Injury-free and pain-free running
• Increased running efficiency
• Effortless hill running
• Increased running speed with reduced effort
• Greater enjoyment of running

Yeah I know; it sounds too good to be true! There is no magic bullet, but the above mentioned results are claimed to be the benefits of the running technique known as ChiRunning.

A popular ChiRunning site says:

ChiRunning combines the inner focus and flow of T'ai Chi with the power and energy of running to create a revolutionary running form and philosophy that takes the pounding, pain, and potential damage out of the sport of running. The ChiRunning program increases mental clarity and focus, enhances the joy of running, and turns running into a safe and effective lifelong program for health, fitness, and well-being ... Conditioning your mind can be just as important as conditioning your body. ChiRunning can be a meditative practice that focuses your mind, lifts your spirits and opens the flow of chi in your life.

Triathletes are endurance athletes. We swim, we bike, we run -- we put it all together in the sport of triathlon, ranging from sprint to long-distance triathlons.

Some say that every triathlete has a little spark of madness that inspires and drives them. We challenge and push our mental and physical capacities to the brink. We endure pain in the process, but this is just all part of it. As crazy as it may seem to some, we choose to do this and enjoy doing it.

It should be no surprise then that triathletes become interested in other endurance sports. For some people, triathlon is just the beginning. Seasoned triathletes also become involved in other endurance events for the purpose of challenging themselves in new and different ways or just to add a little diversity and spice to their endurance sport interests.

If you are interested in exploring the world of endurance sports beyond or as a complement to triathlon, here are some areas worth investigating...

We adopt our views of health and nutrition from a variety of sources, and it’s not uncommon for a triathlete to drag a nutrition myth or two into the sport.

Some of these myths could easily prevent a triathlete from performing optimally.

Here are 4 nutrition myths that the typical triathlete may be in danger of believing...

The longest leg of any triathlon is the biking portion. Triathletes spend countless hours on the road, training on their bike. Most triathletes also compete in road races and other cycling events -- such as riding a century or other popular long-distance rides.

Yes it is truth that a triathlete is a swimmer, a cyclist, and a runner. But on May 20th, being a cyclist pulls rank.

I want to encourage you to consider participating in The Ride of Silence.