k*******n
发帖数: 567 | 1 http://www.triathlon.org/agegroup/gettingstarted/
Getting Started in Triathlon
Triathlon is an exciting multi-discipline sport involving a continuous race
over various distances in the three disciplines of swimming, cycling, and
running. A standard triathlon is made up of a swim, followed by a cycle ride
, followed by a run.
Competitors race against the clock, which starts as they enter the swim and
stops as they cross the finish line after the run.
For this reason, triathlon is often reported as having a ‘fourth discipline
’ known as the transition. The transition is the point in the race when
competitors change from swimming to cycling, and from cycling to running.
Race Distances
Distances of individual events may vary from race to race, but there are
some standard triathlon distances, quoted in terms of swim/bike/run:
Super sprint - 400m/10km/2.5km
Sprint distance - 750m/20km/5km
Standard distance - 1500m/40km/10km
Middle distance - 2.5km/80km/20k
Long distance – 4km/120km/30km
Ironman distance - 3.8km/180km/42km
Triathlon Clubs
Joining a club is an excellent way to get more involved in triathlon. Many
clubs cater to all levels of ability and experience, and either have their
own coach or access to one.
Apart from the coaching and camaraderie, being a club member also entitles
you to club competitions and allows you to find new training partners.
Competition Status
Triathletes fit into one of two categories -
1. Elite - professional triathletes who compete at an international level
2. Age Group - triathletes who are non-professional. The Age Group system
allows you to compete against other triathlon entrants of the same age (
within a five year band) and sex.
Triathlon and duathlon World Championships give all triathletes the chance
to enter - they have an Age Group category as well as an elite category.
What Do I Need?
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on all the latest triathlon gear, a
few of the basics are all you need to get started. It couldn’t be simpler:
Swim
Novice events are often pool-based, although some may be open-water swims.
The type of event will affect what kit you need.
Goggles are essential; they protect your eyes from the water and improve
visibility, helping you stay focused on the task at hand. Try out a few
different types of goggles to see what fits your face best, making sure to
select a pair with a proper seal. To test the goggles, hold them to your
eyes, press the eye cups into your eye sockets and let go. A good fit will
stay in place by suction alone.
A swim cap keeps your hair from getting damaged, helps keep your goggle
straps in place, and lowers water resistance. Both goggles and swim caps can
be picked up at low cost in any sports store and are well worth it.
Cold open-water swims longer than a couple of hundred metres call for the
use of wetsuits, which are compulsory in water temperatures below 14 degrees
Celsius. Although summer is the official triathlon season, a full-length
wetsuit is still advisable for cold open-water swims. Not only do wetsuits
keep you warm, they also increase your buoyancy making it easier to swim.
Very few beginner triathlons will require wetsuits.
A triathlon-specific tri-suit is not essential, but you will require
something close-fitting and comfortable, a singlet and shorts will serve you
just as well. If you are taking part in an open-water swim, clothing that
can be worn under a wetsuit is ideal.
Bike
As mentioned above, a tri-suit or singlet and shorts can be worn, but extra
padding in the saddle area is desirable.
Helmets are mandatory; you’ll never see a triathlete riding without a lid,
not even an elite. New helmets are comfortable, reasonably priced, simple to
use, and offer proven protection.
A bike is an essential piece of triathlon equipment, but until you get to a
more advanced level you need not worry about having a tri-speicific bike,
any bike will do. Be sure to give it a good service - check the tires, fill
tubes with air or replace if need be, oil the chain, and check to make sure
the brakes and gears are operational.
Cycling shoes are a luxury if you’re just starting out, more important is
having shoes that are easy to get on and off during transitions. The
advantage of cycling shoes is that they attach to the pedals giving you
better cycling stability and power.
Run
Again, there is no real need for investing specialized running gear at the
beginner level. Swim, run and bike kit can double up; just make sure that
the outfit you choose to wear is comfortable, even when you’ve been cycling
in it. Breathability is always an advantage.
Shoes are the most important part of your running equipment. If your feet
are well supported and comfortable, it will make your run seem much easier.
Consult a running shoe expert before you buy, as your foot-type and running
style will dictate specific requirements. | i*********5
发帖数: 19210 | 2 When would you get started in triathlon? | k*******n
发帖数: 567 | 3 still planning
【在 i*********5 的大作中提到】
: When would you get started in triathlon?
| i*********5
发帖数: 19210 | 4 别plan了，找个春天的比赛把名先报上。
【在 k*******n 的大作中提到】
: still planning
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