Being a devoted triathlete — and all that comes with it — can seem quite overwhelming. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s how I would approach getting started for a newcomber to the sport of triathlon.
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A List Of Gear And Equipment You’ll Need For Your First Triathlon (…Plus Some Helpful Tips From An Experienced Triathlete)
To get through the race, you need not only mental toughness but a wide variety of equipment, clothing, and other essential items that might not seem obvious from the outset. Here’s the triathlon gear you’ll need, plus some training/racing tips that I’ve learned in my years as a triathlete:
Triathlon Watches: A Guide To Choosing The Best Sport Watch
A rundown of the most popular triathlon watches, plus tips for buying your first triathlon watch. Here’s what you should be looking for in a sports watch.
Running Barefoot – Are You A Triathlete Who’s Tried It?
Do you have an opinion about barefoot running? Have you experimented with barefoot running? I do barefoot running at a YMCA soccer field. Here’s the scoop behind athletes running barefoot.
WARNING: 11 Triathlon Rules You Need To Be Aware Of
The moral to the story is: as a triathlete you must be mindful of the official triathlon rules. By reading this post, you can knock ‘ignorance’ off the list of things that would contribute to you getting disqualified from a triathlon event.
Running Compression Socks – What Triathletes Should Know
It appears there’s enough ammo for any triathlete to at least experiment with compression socks to see if they are beneficial. Here are the most popular compression socks used by triathletes.
Swimmers: Should You Use A Speedsuit? Which Speedsuits Are Best For Triathlons?
Here are the pros and cons of speedsuits compared to wetsuits — to help you determine if you need a speedsuit for triathlon events or not. Plus, the top 11 speedsuits and what makes each speedsuit different from the rest.
4 Ways To Save Money As A Triathlete
I’ve learned firsthand that these are some simple ways to save big bucks on gear, equipment, events, and other things that triathletes typically spend a lot of money on.
Triathlon Anxiety – Tips For Overcoming Anxiety And Negative Thoughts As A Triathlete
One of the most significant mental or psychological disruptions for a triathlete is anxiety. Here are some common triathlete anxieties, as well as signals that anxiety may be affecting your triathlon performance.
How To Build Self-Confidence As A Triathlete
Here we delve into matters of sports psychology and the mental side of the sport of triathlon. Athletes often say about their sports performance, “It’s mostly mental.” In the sport of triathlon this is particularly true. Here’s how to build your confidence as a triathlete.
Is Triathlon A Dangerous Sport? What Are The Risks?
A study just came out which states that triathlons pose twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do. Here’s how to reduce your triathlon risk, especially when swimming — which is commonly viewed as the most dangerous aspect of the sport.
Common Triathlete Injuries & How To Treat Them
Following are some of the most common triathlete injuries and how to treat them…
Best Triathlon Gear Bags That Hold Everything A Triathlete Needs
There is a lot of gear you have to pack and carry to a triathlon. With the exception of your bike and the few items stored in your saddle bag, all the rest has to be packed in something. You could cram everything into 2 or 3 different bags, or you could purchase a triathlon gear bag that compartmentalizes it all for you.
How To Prepare Your Bike For The Triathlon Season
Here are some tips to help you prepare your triathlon bike for the upcoming triathlon season. Tips include: how to change a flat tire, how to clean your bike and lube your bike chain, how to tune-up your bike, and other basic bike maintenance tips.
High-Tech Bikes & Gear For Triathletes
Here are a few of the latest high-tech bike gear options for triathletes, including: triathlon bikes, triathlon shoes, cycling socks, LED bike lights, Lace locks for shoelaces, and gel bottles for cyclists.
Triathlete Bike Gear: Best Ways To Carry Nutrition & Hydration Supplies While Cycling
A critical time for re-fueling is on the bike, and you need a good way to carry all of your nutrition and hydration supplies. Here are some ways to carry those items with you on the bike…
Bodyweight Exercises Build Functional Strength For Triathletes
Bodyweight exercises are exercises that rely on your body weight alone — no weights and no machines that provide resistance. Bodyweight exercises are stressful on the body without being damaging to the body. Here are the best bodyweight exercises for triathletes.
Functional Strength Training vs Weight Machines For Triathletes
What kind of strength does one need as a triathlete? I got to wondering about the difference between being weight-lifting strong and being body weight strong and if mattered for triathletes. Here’s what I found…
How To Put The Fun Back In Triathlons, Training And Being A Triathlete
Sometimes, in order to survive as a triathlete, you’ve got to break the rules. You may be suffering with a severe case of the triathlon doldrums if you have any of the following signs…
How A Cycling Power Meter Can Help Triathletes
What if I told you that using a power meter could help you reach the performance level you desire in half the time you would spend training without it? It’s going to cost you on the front end, but the investment may prove quite worthwhile, even more economical in the long run.
Ironman Triathlons: Are You Ready For An Ironman?
The two main questions you need to ask yourself before competing in your first Ironman are: Should you even consider doing an Ironman? and Are you ready for an Ironman? Let’s break down all of the factors that go into answering those questions for yourself.
How A Triathlete Trains Through Nagging Sports Injuries
If you have a recent sport injury, you’re probably wondering how this is going to affect your training. Each triathlete and each injury is unique. Returning too soon can increase your risk of re-injury or developing a chronic problem that will lead to a longer recovery. Waiting too long can lead to unnecessary de-conditioning.
Addressing Lower Back Problems In The Triathlete
Between 2 and 6 million Americans suffer serious back pain every year. At some point in their lives, 4 out of 5 adults will suffer a pain severe enough to warrant medical care. In one study of Ironman triathletes, 91% had suffered at least one soft-tissue overuse injury during the previous year’s training. Spine injuries were most common, with 72% of the triathletes reporting lower back pain.
What Every Triathlete Needs To Know About Carbohydrates
It would be wise for every triathlete to learn more about the 4 key nutrients of triathlon nutrition. Let’s start by focusing on carbohydrates. Here’s how they work in your body when you’re competing. See which foods are highest in carb content.
What Every Triathlete Should Know About The Power-To-Weight Ratio
You can’t change your genetics, but you may be a candidate to significantly influence your body composition to aid your performance as a triathlete. Whatever body type you have, and whatever your body fat composition, improving your power-to-weight ratio will aid you in reaching your full potential as a triathlete.
Becoming The Peaceful Triathlete: 3 Tips For Success
What would it mean for you to be a peaceful triathlete? How could this help you succeed in being the best triathlete you can be? What follows are some discoveries I have made along the way, which I hope aid you in becoming a peaceful triathlete.
Jim’s Fun Times Guide Triathlon Awards
I decided to close out one year and start a new one on The Fun Times Guide to Triathlons with some special triathlon awards. Here are Jim’s Fun Times Guide Triathlon Awards for the year.
The Fear Of Losing Fitness In The Off-Season
During the off-season, all triathletes face the fear of losing fitness. Here are some tips to keep you on the right track all year round.
How To Be A Green Triathlete
There’s no question that the sport of triathlon leaves an ecological footprint. Thankfully, more and more triathlon race directors and organizers are going green. Here are some examples, plus tips for being a green triathlete.
Should Triathletes Do Free-Weight Squats?
In fact, there may be some very good reasons that you should be doing free-weight squats as a triathlete.
The Psychology And Physiology Of The Over-40 Triathlete
As an over-40 triathlete, I want to encourage you to extend your longevity and enjoyment in the sport of triathlon by viewing your age as an advantage. Here’s how…
New Year’s Resolutions To Help You Become A Better Triathlete
As a triathlete, there are several ways you could apply the concept of a New Year’s Resolution to your training. Following are some tips for coming up with New Year’s Resolutions that could help you to become a better triathlete.
Can The 300 Workout Program Help Triathletes?
The secret training regimen discussed all over the Internet is called the 300 Workout. Here’s how it works and how it can benefit triathletes.
Should Triathletes Eat Organic Foods?
Organic food is more expensive than conventional food. So the real question is: Does the additional cost of organic food justify going organic for a triathlete? I think most triathletes would agree that the fewer additives and chemicals they put into their body the better. Here’s more…
How To Remain A Triathlete Over The Long Haul
Here are some things you can do to increase the chances that you will actually stick with triathlon as a sport, and continue to meet your short- and long-term goals.
Triathlon Gifts: Selecting The Perfect Gift For Your Favorite Runner, Cyclist, Or Swimmer
Whether you’re a triathlete yourself or you know a triathlete and would like to get them a gift… here are some gift ideas for triathletes in a variety of different price ranges. Everything from the traditional must-haves to some outside-the-box ideas that triathletes will love!
Cycling Aerodynamics 101 For Triathletes
When it comes to cycling, there are 4 basic ways that air moves around you. Here’s how to maximize your aerodynamics while cycling and how to find the most aerodynamic position on the bike.
Social Networking Internet Sites For Triathletes
Here are a few benefits of social networking sites for triathletes — from niche networking to race-specific details, and everything in between. You’ll find some of the best triathlon sites to focus on, and ones to stay away from.
Importance Of Swimming Technique For Triathletes
Here’s one of those little triathlon ‘secrets’ that takes an amateur awhile to get in their head. Your success and performance as a triathlete will be limited more by your skills than what we typically think of as ‘fitness’. The key: FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE!
Marathon Training For Triathletes In The Off-Season
If you are a triathlete and want to complete a marathon, go for it! Marathons are a great way for the off-season triathlete to build and maintain aerobic endurance for the next season. Here are some marathon training tips for triathletes…
Triathlon Vacations: How To Turn A Triathlon Event Into A Family Vacation
There’s a lot involved when traveling and vacationing in conjunction with a triathlon event, but with proper planning, it can be a great trip for all involved. What follows are some tips for turning your next triathlon event into a family vacation.
Triathletes and NSAIDs: Do You Know The Risks?
Are you a triathlete using NSAIDs for pain relief? Are you sure you want to do that? Here’s what you need to know about the risks associated with taking NSAIDs like Advil, ibuprofen,
Training Recovery Tips For Triathletes
The best recovery tips for triathletes to practice after triathlon training sessions. Most important: rest, sleep, protein, and carbohydrates.
How To Start A Triathlon Club
Here are the benefits of belonging to a triathlon club, tips for starting a triathlon club yourself, guidelines for organizing your triathlon club, and ways to make your triathlon club successful.
How To Maximize Your Off-Season Triathlon Training
What you do this off-season is immensely important and will largely determine your in-season triathlon performance. One way or another, either through improvement or digression, how you handle the next several weeks in your triathlon training is critical.
Cold Weather Cycling Gear For Triathlon Training
Here are some obstacles to outdoor cycling training, as well as your best options for cycling throughout the cold winter months. Then, all the best cycling gear you’ll need for winter biking is highlighted.
Cold Weather Training Tips: Swimming & Wetsuits
Here are some guidelines for choosing cold weather swim gear, plus tips for cold water swim training.
How Triathletes Can Deal With Self-Esteem Issues
There is a mental and spiritual side to the sport of triathlon that is every bit as important as the physical aspects of training and competing. Here’s how to keep your self-esteem in check while training and competing in triathlons.
Hawaii Ironman: A Triathlete’s Guide
The most prominent triathlon race in the world, the Hawaii Ironman (also known as the Ford Ironman World Championship) will takes place each October. Here is a triathlete’s guide to participating in the Hawaii Ironman event.
Stretch Training & Flexibility For Triathletes
Many amateur athletes don’t place a lot of value on stretching. But professional athletes sure do! And there is no sport where stretching is more important than the sport of triathlon. Triathletes with higher flexibility and elasticity in their muscles, perform more effectively and efficiently than athletes with low-elasticity muscles. Here’s how add a basic stretching plan to your training routine.
