How Does Triathlon Work? – Transitions, Relay, & More
Are you wondering how does triathlon work? You will know all about the triathlon, transitions, relay, mixed relay, and much more in our guide. Triathlon is not a single sport, but it includes 3 sports.
Triathlon is made up of swimming, running as well as cycling. Excited to know? It is an excellent sport that will have the help you to maintain your fitness level.
However, if you don’t know how triathlon work, no worries! After reading our complete guide in 10 minutes, you will know about triathlon.
How Does Triathlon Work? – 3 Things Triathletes Must Learn
Below are the 3 things that people must learn after deciding to take part in a triathlon.
Swimming
You have to learn swimming and how to float in the right way while swimming. Moreover, if you want to learn how to save your energy while swimming, then take some swimming classes. Besides, you have to get rid of the fear of drowning in the pool.
Further, you must know how to swim in a straight direction, even if the pool doesn’t have any lines or markings. It will be very helpful if you can swim in a straight direction easily.
Cycling
Next, you have to get a bicycle and learn how to ride it. Moreover, cycling is not a difficult physical exercise, but it would be difficult for you if you don’t know how to balance it on the road.
Thus, you must know how to balance the bike and change the gears while riding it. Besides, you have to know how to ride the bike downhill.
Running
Everyone knows how to run, but you have to develop your leg muscles stronger to run fast. You have to push yourself to run even when you are tired. Besides that, you should mentally train yourself to avoid giving up on the race.
Now that you have an idea about triathlon and how to learn for the three sports let’s know how triathlon works?
The Transition Stages On How Does Triathlon Work?
The following transition stages will tell you how does triathlon works. Read on!
Start with Swim
The basic start of triathlon is swimming. Though swimming is one of the most hectic sports and it requires a lot of energy. So if you took part in the triathlon, you must know how to swim faster to compete with other fellows.
Furthermore, you can set your targets and practice before the triathlon. However, if you aren’t the best swimmer, keep in mind to boost the swimming skills because it is the first step of a triathlon.
Every triathlete will get in the pile and take their position after the gun fires. In addition, you should never give up in the beginning or walk in the water because it will waste a lot of time. Also, you shouldn’t swim more than your speed.
You should comfortably swim at your normal speed and hit the ending point.
1st Transition
After you have completed swimming now, you are in the phase of TI. The TI is known as the first Transition. Indeed, TI is very critical than the other 2 transitions. Most of the triathletes forget where they parked their bicycle.
Thus, you need to remember where you kept the bicycle to save time.
Bicycle Leg
After finding your bicycle, now you have to get into the transition phase. Most of the triathletes leave their shoes with their bike’s pedal. Most importantly, you have to put the helmet at a visible place because it could disqualify you if it isn’t kept anywhere securely.
After securely placing the helmet at a visible area, keep head towards the bicycle’s route. After completing this route, you have to go for a run that includes the 2nd triathlon transition phase.
2nd Transition
Now you have entered phase two of Transition. All triathlete must stretch legs muscles so they can run easily. Furthermore, the run phase is the triathlon’s final transition phase.
The triathlon will be tough for the first time, but it will become easier after 2 or 3 attempts.
Why All Triathletes Prefer Swimming First?
As you know, swimming requires a lot of energy, so it is kept in the first triathlon sport. The triathletes are fresh in the beginning, and they can easily swim. Even the triathletes don’t have an injury so that they can swim easily.
However, if the swimming phase is not kept initially, it would be very difficult for the triathletes to complete it.
There are chances that you might fall while running or cycling and get injured, so that’s why swimming is the best start. Best of all, swimming will relax and loosen the muscles of the legs.
Now you know how does Transition triathlon work. Below we’ll tell more about triathletes and triathlon game gears.
How To Become A Healthy Triathlete?
A triathlete needs to eat healthy food. Moreover, you have to lower your sweet cravings. Try to find alternatives to sugary drinks. In addition, you should know how much sugar you have to use normally to stay healthy.
The stomach and immune system of a triathlete should be stronger. You should not eat junk food and quit drinking soda. It would be best if you consume water and green tea. Do not starve, but you have to consume a good diet that is beneficial for your health.
Gears For Triathlon
There are five important gears that you need for a triathlon.
- Goggles
- Swimsuit
- Bicycle
- Helmet
- Running shoes
- Triathlon Watch
These are the gears that all beginner triathletes must have. Best of all, these gears are not much expensive.
How Does Mixed Triathlon Work?
A mixed relay is interesting, and it has 2 male participants and 2 females. Moreover, this relay is possible when all triathletes have completed the sprint triathlon.
In addition, all the participants have to complete the running with at least a distance of 300 meters of swim, 7 km of the bike ride, 1.5 km of run. The sprint triathlon will last 80 minutes.
How Do Triathlon Relays Work?
You don’t just have to know how triathlon works do, but about the relay of triathlon as well. In the relay, there are three people for each transition phase. One person will go for the run, the other will swim, and one will do the bike leg.
There is a team of three persons, and each one is specified for doing one task. In the transition relay, while switching the Transition, they have to pass a certain thing to the next person given by the triathlon organizers.
It could be a pen or any other thing. You can give the pen to another person so they can do the next transition phase. Likewise, the timing chip should be transferred to another person as well.
In addition to this, the triathlon is an interesting game that provides a medal or gear to every participant.
Which Are The Triathlons Can Be Considered As A Relay?
You have to ask the race director about the triathlons that are considered relay. On the other hand, you can check on the triathlon event while sign up that is it a relay or not. Furthermore, the triathlon relays now have a distance of 70.3 meters that considered as a relay.
On the other hand, the independent races have a distance of 140.6 m. However, the relays are not free, and each member will get a medal, so you have to keep a high budget for participating in it.
Besides that, you have to divide the amount into three people, so it doesn’t cost a lot.
Relays Are Competitive In contradiction to Other Relays
Relays are competitive because you can build a stronger team. The relays can build a bond with other fellows in a team. You can take a fast swimmer in your team, a strong bike rider, and the fastest runner.
Though the relays have small groups than mixed relays, it is a more effective way to complete a triathlon game. Best of all, the relays helps to build a team of your own choice. Furthermore, the relays will help you to get a better score than a mixed relay.
Hopefully, after reading the full guide, you know how does triathlon works?
Thank you for the read!
