Training: Part III

If you have zero swimming experience, and are planning to participate in a triathlon with an open water swim, it is strongly recommended that you get some swimming in open water prior to race day. Also, search online for swim clinics at local lakes or triathlon clubs with routine open water swims.

Being able to swim continuously in open water is a huge confidence booster!

Bike training can be done on any bike you currently own or one you can borrow from a friend. Remember, you’re just testing out the water, so spending a ton of money on flashy gear is not a wise investment if you are not certain you will commit to the sport for years.

I’ve seen athletes on rickety mountain bikes zoom past others on far more expensive race bikes. Consistent training beats fancy gear any day! 

Running is the typically the toughest discipline because it is the last leg of the race. Even the strongest runners run a little slower in a triathlon than they do in a stand-alone running race. It takes time to learn how to run comfortably after swimming and biking; most participants are fatigued to some degree when they start the run leg.