The Sprint Triathlon: Getting Ready
Not many people know this, but there are actually a lot of different variations of the triathlon event. A lot of people may squirm at the prospect of swimming, cycling and then running the whole length of the Ironman triathlon, which is about a total of 140.6 miles.
Because of this, shorter-distance triathlon events have been standardized. The sprint triathlon only consists of a 0.5-mile swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1 miles of running. This means beginners can find it easier.
However, the triathlon still remains an endurance challenge. If you hope to last in the race, you really have to train hard. If you are a beginner, here are some tips for you:
1) Put your weakness first – If this is your first triathlon, it would be better if you practiced the event you are not very familiar with. People do a lot of running, so you might want to put running last.
Try to gauge how good you are in cycling and swimming first. This will allow you to learn just how much you need to work to finish the triathlon.
2) Time, not distance – when you start training, remember that the triathlon is foremost a test of endurance. This means you need to train on how long you last. People recommend that you start by working your way up to a straight 20-minute swim.
During the swim, you should not stop, so it would be best if you try and conserve your energy by using a forward crawl to propel yourself in the water. Once you’ve worked your way up to the 20-minute limit, you can start the final training regimen.
3) Work your way up slowly – getting ready for a sprint triathlon requires you to work constantly and slowly. Pushing yourself to the limits of the marathon immediately would be disastrous for your body.
It is recommended that you increase your workout time by 10 percent every day for about 15 weeks before the event. By consistently doing this, you can build up your endurance without shocking your system.
Hopefully, these tips will help you get more than ready for the challenge of a sprint triathlon. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to build up speed and win the event!
