Are YOU Ready for a Triathlon? Getting Fit and Getting… Kit

We write quite a bit about fitness because it’s something every man must make time to do. As your fitness improves, it’s fun to take exercise outdoors and even enticing to enter races or sports competitions. So, if you haven’t already, get out of the gym and enjoy the wind in your face or the refreshing feeling of cold water from the ocean, lake, or outdoor pool.

With summer comes triathlon events that test the fittest men’s ability to run, cycle, and swim fast. It’s an endurance test, and a badge of courage to wear proudly among friends, family, and co-workers. Ordinarily a triathlon is a three stage marathon style race consisting of running, cycling and swimming with little or no breaks and, for most, finishing a triathlon is an awesome victory. Here’s how to choose, then train for, your physical and mental test of a lifetime:

Choosing a Triathlon

Decide which triathlon you want to do, do your research. If you have been training already you will have a better idea of your skill level and the most suitable triathlon. If you’re strongest in cycling then you may want to choose a race that appeals more to cyclists. Or, if you want more of a challenge the off-road triathlons will definitely provide you with a harder course to complete.

man running in triathalon
Photo by Barely

Types of marathons include Sprint, Olympic, Half Ironman, Full Ironman, Ultimate Triathlon. You can find out more information about different types of triathlons, visit the Examiner website or Triathlon England for scheduled triathlons in the UK.

Training

You will need to train in all three categories, so this means swimming, cycling and running. Try and practise training sessions back to back, for example, swimming then cycling to get the right sort of training for your triathlon.

Create a Calendar

Create a training calendar to organise your schedule. Training will probably take up a lot of your time for the next few months so be prepared for this big commitment. You will need to monitor your times and pace too and you could add these into your calendar. It’s great to line up a friendly competitor to improve time and pace. Friends and acquaintances tend to bond whilst training for and competing in a triathlon.

swimming people
Photo by Claire Williams

Nutrition is really important when training for a triathlon because, yes, you’ll need to eat more food that’s high in complex carbs and protein. Keep a food intake calendar, because you’ll probably find it challenging to eat as much food as you need.

If there are any personal trainers in your local area it may be a really good option to have, this would be an especially a good idea if they have practise in entering triathlons.

Kitting Out

If you don’t buy the right gear then you will struggle during the race and this will in turn effect your performance. High Octane Sport offer a range of wetsuits specially designed for triathlon racers. For example, their Zone 3 Men’s Aspire wetsuits are comfortable, high quality and specially designed nano coating to reduce the amount of water ‘drag’.

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michael

I work as a full time hair stylist but love writing about life. I hope to become a full time writer one day and spend all my time sharing my experience with you!

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