Getting Started: Training for a Triathlon

The sport of triathlon attracts people of all shapes, sizes, commitment levels, and backgrounds. It is one of the few sporting events where you can witness professional athletes rubbing shoulders with casual athletes. While this may seem like two very different groups of people, they are drawn together, at unusually early parts of the day no less, by a common thread; to challenge themselves.

With origins dating back to the 1970's, the modern day triathlon remains largely unchanged from its humble beginnings. Since the very first triathlon, the multi-sport has taken on an important role for people who look to step outside the realm of conventional sporting events. Although anyone can compete in the sport of triathlon, there is a minimum of preparation one should exercise in order to achieve an eventful and fulfilling triathlon experience. This article is to serve as a guide for those willing to be initiated into the multi-sport world.

Because of the rise in popularity of multi-sport races over recent years, it is becoming increasingly easier to find an event in your area. The US triathlon governing body cited over 1,800 events of all distances across the country in 2006. A sprint distance event is ideal for a first-time race. Although the actual distances can vary, generally a sprint race is characterized by a .5 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run. Now that you have a distance picked out, it is time to choose your event.

The only suggestion for choosing a race would be to allow anywhere from 4-6 weeks from registration to race day. Registering early will not only give you enough time to prepare for your race, but also keep you motivated now that a future event has been planned. There is another advantage to this, as race organizers usually offer a lower registration fee to those who sign up well in advance. The fees can vary greatly. For a sprint distance, the price can range from $25 to $100. Included in the price, usually, are a complimentary shirt, computerized timing, and refreshments for after the race.