So You Want to do a Triathlon – Part 1: Choosing a Race
Photo courtesy of Julie Marsh
As a fitness advocate and mom of three, I prefer to train for a race rather than a pants size. I also need variety to keep my training from getting stale, especially in those dreary winter months. Triathlons are the ideal fitness pursuit to keep me active all year long.
Apparently I’m not alone. Triathlons have been growing in popularity in recent years, which means it’s easier than ever to find races that are suited to your personal preferences.
Not all triathlons are created equal. You can start with any race you like, but some provide a gentler introduction to the sport than others.
Distance
There are four types of triathlons – sprint, Olympic, half Ironman, and Ironman. I highly recommend starting with a sprint triathlon, though “sprint” is a misnomer. In a sprint triathlon, the swim may be anywhere from a few hundred yards to half a mile, the bike is usually between 11 and 13 miles, and the run can range from two miles to a full 5K.
Location
Triathlons start really early in the morning. Races that are close to home are a good bet for beginners, logistically speaking. Not only is it easier and more convenient to start with a tri that’s nearby, you can also familiarize yourself with the course in advance.
Events
The swim is the first event. Many triathlon swims take place in open water, but some sprint triathlons have a pool swim. I recommend starting with one that has a pool swim. You won’t have to buy or rent a wetsuit, nor will you have to contend with the additional challenges of swimming in open water, like sighting buoys and being swum over by other triathletes. A pool swim will be easier on you, both mentally and physically.
The bike comes next. Bike courses can vary widely depending on race location. Sometimes the course is a single loop; sometimes there are multiple loops (which means you have to remember how many you’ve done). Some courses are hillier than others. Streets may or may not be closed. I recommend starting with a race that has a single loop bike course in an area where you can ride the course beforehand to familiarize yourself with it.
The final event is the run. Run courses are often an out-and-back route – sometimes on a paved trail, sometimes on gravel. Gravel may be easier on your joints, but pavement is less slippery. Consider your personal preferences regarding terrain.
Cost, support, and swag
Triathlons aren’t cheap, and in many cases, you get what you pay for, in terms of race support and commemorative gear. Personally, I don’t care too much about the contents of the swag bag, but a well-organized race with great volunteer support is key to a good triathlon experience for me.
Where to find races near you
Active.com is a great comprehensive source of race information, both for adult and kids triathlons. The American Triathlon Calendar is another good site to visit as is BeginnerTriathlete.com .
Next post in the series: Triathlon gear. What you need, what’s optional, what you shouldn’t bother with.
Julie Marsh blogs at The Mom Slant, an op-ed blog about issues affecting parents. She’s also a sprint triathlete, with several of them under her race belt and many more to come. She’ll be sharing her triathlon training tips and experiences here at the Shredheads blog.
Hooray! Glad you are doing this series! I’m eager to read the gear post because one concern I’ve had is how to transfer from suit to bike/run gear, especially since I require rather hefty support up top in order to run that I wouldn’t be wearing in a pool. Is it a flash-fest during transition?
Thanks for the question! I will definitely cover that in the gear post.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jillian's Bitches, Kristen Chase. Kristen Chase said: So pleased that @momslant is doing a Triathlon series @shredheads! http://ow.ly/2fx7C #shredheads [...]
So glad you are doing this! I have my first sprint in late September and I’m a bit clueless – its short for all three dsitances and all women which I think is good for a first timer… (Rambling Rose in Charlotte). Definitely looking forward to your next column.
Checked it out – looks like a great race, with good organization and support!
When I started in triathlon there was an even shorter race distance – the try-a-try (375 metre swim, 10 k bike, 2.5 k run – metric because Canadian). This was a really great way to try out the sport without huge pressure. The coolest thing was seeing the huge variety of people who compete from teenagers to grandmothers. I didn’t have to worry about what I looked like in a bathing suit or what type of bike I was riding because every body type and type of gear were represented.
Agreed! It was the wide variety of sizes, shapes, and ages that convinced me I could do it too. And I’ve learned you should never underestimate (or overestimate) someone based on how they look.
This is great! I just signed up for the Ramblin’ Rose in Chapel Hill, NC this coming October – wondering what to wear and how best to train for it as well. Heard that a lot of people where some sort of bike shorts that they can swim in and then don’t have to really “change” after the swim?
Cool! I’ll definitely cover triathlon wear in the next post.
[...] So You Want to do a Triathlon – Part 1: Choosing a Race | Shredheads [...]
I am totally looking forward to this – instead of training for a marathon I switched my focus and plan to do a sprint and then olympic tri this summer/fall. Definitely looking for hints for first timers. Totally got the training part, but definitely have no idea what to expect come race day!
…
Hi! Your publish rocks and is often a beneficial go through!…