Triathlon Basics
What’s is a triathlon?
A triathlon is a race that encompasses 3 different sporting disciplines. They all begin with a swim followed by a Bike and finish with a Run. Distances vary in length depending on the type of Trithalon your enter from Super Sprint through to Long course or Olympic events. Swims can be open water, enclosed water or conducted in a pool, and bikes are normally flat or open road legs of the event, although cross terrain and X-terra events also exist. Runs are the gruelling end to the event and can be set over very challenging or cross country terrain. In between each leg you have to go through a strict transition where you change between the disciplines.
How to get started in Triathlons
The best way to get involved in Triathlon is to start by picking a Duathlon (bike and run) or Aquathlon (swim and run) This will give you and idea of what you enjoy and what discipline you may need to work on to improve your performance. Triathlon has many different levels that you participate in from Sprint, Standard and Olympic distances with varying terrains. The best way to sample triathlons and get involved is simply to enter into a super sprint tri at a nice flat venue with an enclosed swim. This will give you the simplest insight into what a triathlon involves and hopefully allow you to catch the bug of the fastest growing participation sport of the moment. Check out the USN triathlon events on offer now for 2012 at.....
What’s the best body type for Triathletes?
For Triathalon, as with all endurance sports you require a body shape that is relatively lean with a capacity to store energy, basically a body that is efficient. As the sport encompasses three different disciplines (cycling, running, swimming) then there is no generic body shape as each individual maybe geared to a different leg of the Triathlon. Obviously having a strong lung capacity, VO2 and combining this with the right preparation, training and nutrition will lead to optimum performance when it comes to competing.
Should I carry nutrition with me whilst racing
In race nutrition is essential to fuelling your performance. If you are competing for 3 hours then your body will inevitably require additional hydration and energy during the event. Your body does not really want to digest complex foods and it is impractical to eat whilst performing so it is important to plan and prepare and make sure you have options to fulfil your energy requirements. This can be done through energy drinks such as USN's
Cytopower or
Active sports drinks or through Energy Gels such as
Vooma. These products will give you the essential electrolytes and minerals essential for energy convertion and provide additional sources of readily available energy.
Isn’t Protein for Body Builders?
Protein forms the structural core of the human body, it is the base cellular structure of our Muscles and It is the key nutrient in promoting tissue regeneration, development and repair. It is also responsible for many essential functions in the body such as aiding the transportation of the key nutrients oxygen and nitrogen and forms the structure for all the enzymes that control the majority of our bodies’ functions. So forget about the ideas of protein shakes “bulking“ you up or only being for those who seek muscle or weight gain. Protein is for everyone whether you train regularly or socially and is essential if you are looking to improve your elite performance. Every time you train your body will suffer from micro trauma to your muscles and skeletal system. It is essential to allow recovery and repair at these sites and failing to give your body the right nutrients to recover post training will only mean that your capacity to enhance your performance and train harder will be reduced. You should look to take
100% Whey Protein around training and a night time slow release shake such as
Casein or
Pure Protein IGF-1.