A Triathlon Resource Guide: Swimming, Cycling, Running

A triathlon, as the name suggests, is a sporting event made up of three different types of events: swimming, cycling, and running. All three of these events involve long distances and are typically done one right after the other. After each leg, competitors have to change into their gear for the next event as quickly as possible. The first triathlon took place more than 50 years ago, and today, they are regularly held around the world. Anyone considering competing in a triathlon needs to begin a rigorous training regimen and learn how to adjust their diet to get proper nutrition during training and on competition day.

Swimming

Most triathlon swimming events are a little less than a mile long and take place in open water. Many competitors find this to be the most challenging part of the entire event. Learning to successfully complete this leg includes learning how to swim in open water and what stroke works best.

• Swimming Strokes and Techniques for Triathlon: Most competitors believe that the front stroke is the best swimming stroke to use during a triathlon.
• Nine Swim Tips for Beginner Triathletes: It’s important to remember that most triathlons use open water, not pools, for the swimming portion of the event.
• The Fundamentals of Triathlon Swimming: Those in training need to be able to identify their weaknesses so they know what to work on before the event.
• Three Reasons Why Swimming Is the Triathlon Bottleneck and How to Change That: Swimming is the most difficult event for many competitors.
• How to Survive a Triathlon Swim: The mass start is the most difficult part of the swim for many people.
• Quick Facts About Swimming: The sidestroke is one of the slowest swim strokes and therefore not a great choice for a triathlon.
• The Myth of Triathlon Swimming: Swimming Is Swimming: The good news is that at its heart, swimming in a triathlon is much like any other kind of swimming.
• What Is a Good Triathlon Beginner Swim Time? Most beginners aim to keep their time under 20 minutes.
• Swimming for a Triathlon: Six Pro Tips to Put You at the Front of the Pack: For some competitors, swimming is their best event.
• Dealing With Wind and Waves During Triathlon Swim Training and Competition: One of the challenges of open-water swimming is dealing with the effects of the weather.

Cycling

The bicycling portion of the triathlon lasts for almost 25 miles. It takes place after the swimming portion of the event. One challenging part for many competitors is learning how to conserve their leg strength. Setting the bike up properly is also part of the preparation for the event.

• How to Train for the Bike Portion of a Triathlon: Like all other portions of the event, cycling requires dedicated training.
• Base Building: Cycling for the Beginner Triathlete: All triathlon athletes have to focus on building their endurance.
• How to Go From Cyclist to Triathlete: Those who already own good cycling gear have a leg up on the competition.
• Buying an Entry-Level Triathlon Bike: Buying cycling gear doesn’t have to be an extremely expensive undertaking, but it can be.
• Transitioning From a Cyclist to a Triathlon Cyclist: All competitors have to figure out how to pace themselves so they have enough energy to finish all three parts of the event.
• Does Cycling Make You a Faster Runner? Cycling regularly can help people avoid injuries while running.
• Seven Pro Tips to Crush Your First Triathlon, Just for Cyclists: Doing mini-tris, or short versions of all three events in succession, is one of the best ways to train.
• Triathlon Cycling Distance: What it Is and How to Do It: Distance-wise, cycling is the longest part of any triathlon.
• How to Prepare Your Bike for a Triathlon: It’s not just the athlete but their gear that needs preparation before triathlon day.
• Do These Five Essential Bike Checks Before Your Triathlon: Prepping the bike isn’t just for a competitive edge; it’s also for safety reasons.

Running

A triathlon concludes with a 5k run. Regular training that includes running after cycling and/or going for a swim can help competitors increase their endurance and learn how to push through tiredness. The most challenging part of this section of the triathlon is simply that it’s the final event.

• Here’s How You Can Benefit From Training Like a Triathlete: Even people who don’t plan on seriously competing in triathlons will still become healthier and better runners by preparing for one.
• Triathlon Training: Runner’s World has tips and tricks for runners preparing for a triathlon.
• Why Runners Should Think About Giving a Triathlon a Go: One benefit of triathlon training is improved core strength.
• Four Weeks to a Faster Triathlon Run: How long training for a triathlon will take depends on the competitor and their schedule, but it’s possible to prepare for the running portion of the event in about a month.
• Training Plan: Your First Triathlon: Women have special considerations to take into account when planning their training programs.
• Sprint Triathlon Training Plan for Beginners (12 Weeks): This training program requires 12 weeks to shore up running skills and develop the necessary speed and endurance for the event.
• How to Plan Your Triathlon or Running Season: Serious runners have to take into account all of the events they want to participate in when planning their training calendars.
• Triathlon Training Essentials: Exercise, Refueling, and More: Learning when and how to refuel is a necessary part of the overall training for a triathlon.

Additional Training Information for Triathlons

• Let’s Try a Triathlon
• Seven Tips to Remember When You Start Training for a Triathlon
• Five Tips for Surviving Your First Triathlon
• Triathlon Training Nutrition Tips
• Triathlon: Long Course
• Women’s Swimsuits
• How Training for a Half Ironman Challenged Everything I Thought I Knew About Nutrition
• How Triathlon Training Nutrition Works
• What to Eat for a Triathlon