Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pool swim like?
I have a mountain bike -- is it OK to ride that?
Why is bike fit so important?
What is a race number belt?
Training sounds impossible how will I come up with enough time?
Why is hydration so important?
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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. 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. 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. |
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