Distances

All triathlons are not created equal. Although there are ongoing arguments about the original distances of each discipline, modern-day triathlons are usually broken down into one of the following four categories :

Sprint Distance : Sprints usually consist of a swim that could be anywhere from 300 to 800 yards or meters, depending on the venue, and may be held at a pool or in open water. Pool swims are usually seeded - when you enter, you record your estimated swim time on your entry form, and are assigned a number as a result : fastest swimmers first, slower swimmers follow. Swimmers usually enter the pool in 10 or 15 second intervals. It's VERY important to put down an accurate time on your entry form, as padding your time makes others have to swim around - or over - you, and tends to make Race Directors a little upset. Open water swims are separated by age groups (usually five year increments); your swim cap color (included in your race packet) usually denotes the group you are in. Age groups usually are separated by two to five minutes, depending on the venue.

 The bike portion of a sprint is usually anywhere from 10 to 20 miles or so, once again depending on venue. Courses can be out-and-back, or might follow a different path. All depends on location.

 The run portion of a sprint is usually 3 miles or 5 kilometers. I've run on everything from gravel roads to golf courses to highways - once again, location is the factor.

Olympic Distance : So named because the Olympics Triathlon utilizes these distances (although it's been around a little while longer). Swim is 1500 meters (approx. 1 mile) and pretty much always open water (age group, or 'Wave' starts). The bike portion is 40k ( right at 25 miles), the run is 10k.

Half-Ironman Distance: I guess the name is self-explanatory. 1.2 mile open water swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. Something to note here is that in ANY open-water swim, there is a rule concerning the use of wetsuits. USAT (the governing body for triathlon) allows use off wetsuits when the water temperature is below 78º F. If the water is above that temperature, you may still use a wetsuit, but you are then ineligible for age-group awards. If the temperature is above 84º F, wetsuits are not allowed. And as a sidenote, any time you enter a race and wetsuits are allowed - WEAR ONE. The added buoyancy it gives you helps tremendously.

Ironman Distance : 2.4 mile open water swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. And they make you do every bit of it. Only the fittest triathletes attempt this distance, after months or even years of training.

If you've never done this before, you might not know what to bring to the race. Obviously you'll have the equipment that you train with, but it's a good idea to put together a little checklist before your race just to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. And I'm SURE I've forgotten something, so forgive me in advance.

Before I get into specific equipment, one of the most frequently asked questions is "What do I wear?". The answer is simple, but it varies from individual to individual, and depends on the distance of the race. It's a pretty good rule of thumb to try and wear something that will accommodate your activities for the entire race - and is, most importantly comfortable.

For men, that usually means a pair of tri-shorts (with a thin pad in the crotch that dries faster than the pad in traditional bike shorts) and, if you choose to wear a shirt (you don't have to) something that doesn't bind and is as form-fitting as possible. Remember, the more time you spend changing clothes in transition, the longer your race will last.

For women - Many women put on a pair of running shorts over their swimsuit before they get on the bike. Some women put on running shorts and a tank top or t-shirt over their swimsuit. Many women who race in a one-piece swimsuit will wear a sports bra underneath their swimsuit. Some women wear a sports bra and tri shorts.

Some people dress for speed, others dress according to their level of modesty. Again, as long as you're comfortable, you'll have a better race. If you'd like to dress for speed, less is better. Many men and women complete the entire race in only a swimsuit. Some swimsuits have a tiny bit of padding built in to the bottoms (these are called tri-suits). For a sprint-distance race, however, you may not need any padding. Just make sure your saddle is a comfortable one!

Bear in mind that if you are racing in a longer event (Half or Full Ironman); changing from tri shorts to bike shorts (with more padding) is common, as is changing tops between the bike and the run. If you're competing in a race with an open water swim and you are wearing a wetsuit, whether you wear your top under your wetsuit is a matter of personal choice.

What happens to my bike while I'm swimming?

Your bike will be set up on one of many bike racks in the transition zone. Some transition zones are organized by race number or age group; others are first-come, first-serve.

 

What does transition mean?

Some people say a triathlon consists of four sports - swimming, biking, running, and the transition. The transition is the period of time between each sport. The time between the swim and the bike is called T1, and the time between the bike and the run is called T2. The time you spend in transition is counted towards your overall time for the race. All races will have a transition zone, with row after row of bike racks. Each athlete will place his or her bike on a bike rack , with just a little bit of space between each bike. You will place a towel right next to your bike, and all of the gear you will need during the race must fit on your towel. Examples of items you'll place on your towel will include: running shoes, helmet (a MUST), cycling shoes if you use them, your race number (must be worn during the run), sunglasses, socks, any clothes you'd like to put on over your swimsuit, etc.

 

What is a wave start?

Many triathlons with an open water swim (in a lake, ocean, or river) will have wave starts. It is safer to start the athletes in waves rather than all at once. Often, there is about 5 minutes between each wave. Waves are typically set up by gender and age group. There might be anywhere from 40 - 100 people in a wave. So for example, a race with 200 - 300 people might have 4 waves: Men under 40, Men 40 and over, Women under 40, and Women 40 and over.

 

What is it like to swim in open water?

The biggest difference between swimming in open water and training in a pool is that there are no lane lines! And there is no side to hang on to if you get tired. Some open water courses are out-and-back, and others look more like a loop. Either way, the course is marked with buoys. It is important to sight (look up and see where you are) every so often so you swim fairly straight. The wave start can be tricky - if you're uncomfortable being shoulder-to-shoulder with 40 or 70 other people, just count to 10 or 20 when the bullhorn sounds and let everyone else get out on the course. Or stay to the outside of the pack. Most triathlons will have safety canoes and kayaks out on the water, along with lifeguards. If you ever feel like you're having trouble during the swim, just wave your hands and a rescue boat will be at your side soon. Open water swimming can sometimes be wavy or choppy, depending on weather conditions.

 

Why do I have to race in the swim cap they gave me?

Everyone must wear a swim cap for safety reasons. A swimmer is easier to see in the water if they're wearing a swim cap. All athletes who start in the same wave will have the same color cap on.

 

What is a pool swim like?

Triathlons with a pool swim will seed the athletes in order of their estimated swim time. The entry form will ask you for your estimated swim time, and it's important to be as accurate as possible. All athletes will be lined up on the side of the pool in the order of their swim times (fastest first). They will then be allowed to enter the water at one end of the pool, with about 5 - 10 seconds between each athlete. Swimmers will go down and back in the first lane, then go under the lane rope and go down and back in the second lane, and snake their way through all the lanes in this fashion until they are at the other end of the pool, then they climb out and begin T1. If you end up swimming faster than the person in front of you, you may end up passing them. Or you may get passed by someone faster than you. If you must pass, simply go to the outside of the person you are passing (towards the middle of the lane), but be aware of swimmers coming from the other direction. If you are being passed, stay as close to the lane rope as possible.

 

I have a mountain bike -- is it OK to ride that?

Absolutely! There are lots of triathletes who ride mountain bikes. You may want to consider adding "slicks" if you can afford them. Slicks are smooth tires, which would be faster on the roads than the nubby tires that come on mountain bikes. Bear in mind that if you plan to compete regularly, or are looking at competing in races longer than Sprint distance, you should probably think of investing in a road bike or tri bike.

 

Why is bike fit so important?

Are your knees bumping into your chin? Do you risk serious injury every time you try to get off the seat of your bike? It is important that you can adjust your seat so that there is only a slight bend in your knee when your foot and pedal are at the 6 o'clock position. It is also important that you are able to stop and get off your bike without injuring yourself. Bikes come in all sizes, and the seat post can be adjusted somewhat to make sure the height of your bike is correct for you. But besides the height, there are other important factors to consider, for example: does your seat need to be adjusted forward or back? Is your seat level? Are the handlebars too far away or too close? If your bike is not fitted properly for you, you risk serious injury after prolonged riding. Take your bike in to a local bike shop and have them take a look for you (one of our sponsors, Bikesport, will be happy to help).

 

What is a race number belt?

It is required that triathletes wear their race number (sometimes called a bib) during the run portion of a triathlon. Some athletes put on shorts and/or a t-shirt over their swimsuits after the swim and simply pin their bibs to their shorts or shirts before the race. For those athletes who race in their swimsuits (or tri suits), there is nothing to pin their bib to. They use a race belt, or tri-belt, which is a very simple stretchy band with two plastic prongs that hold a race number. As these athletes leave the transition zone for T2, they clip the belt (with the bib already attached) around their waist, and off they go!

 

Training sounds impossible how will I come up with enough time?

You can prepare for your first triathlon by training four or five days per week. If you are currently working out every other day (or can make the time to do that), you will be fine. Just make sure to spread your workouts between swimming, cycling, and running over the week. It's helpful to keep a training log to see which sports you have done and to monitor your progress.

 

Why is hydration so important?

It is important to drink water, and plenty of it, during training and during a race, especially here in the Texas heat. Even becoming slightly dehydrated can impair your performance by a surprising amount. Sports drinks are formulated to be absorbed by your body better than water, but be sure to train with whatever you think you'll use on race day. Do not introduce anything new on race day! It is important that you consume a full bottle of fluid during the bike portion of a triathlon. If you are uncomfortable removing your bottle and drinking while riding, be sure to practice during training so you can stay steady while you drink. A word about backpack style (Camelback) hydration systems : For a sprint-distance race, a system like this is most likely not necessary. Donning and doffing it takes additional time during transition, and for a 20 mile or less event, you should be OK with the bottle (maybe two at most) on your bike.

 

I'm just a beginner - shouldn't I wait until I'm a "real" triathlete before I go to a Houston Racing meeting?

By all means, come on down! Our meetings are lots of fun and very informative. We discuss upcoming races (and often have race entry forms available) and results from past races. We announce fun and exciting club training events and we have guest speakers who talk about important training concepts and sport-related issues. We socialize, eat pizza, and drink beer! A brewery is our sponsor! How cool is that?