We Got Our Tan in Sportestan!!
Some Ironman distance triathlons, such as the Gatorade Hawaii Ironman, as well as some Olympic distance triathlons, such as the annual ITU (International Triathlon Union, the organizing body of the sport of triathlon) Championship race, require that individuals qualify for their age groups in order to be able to compete. This simply means that not everyone can attend these races. An athlete is required to finish in the top three or top five in their age groups in designated qualifying races to be allowed to participate in these particular races.
Finally, a third category is called "Half-Ironman" distance, which, as the name suggests, is exactly half the distance of a full Ironman. This race consists of a 1.2-mile swim leg, followed by a 56-mile bike leg, followed by a 13.1-mile run leg. Aside from the Ironman, Half-Ironman and Olympic distances, race directors throughout the world also organize other non-standard triathlons with varying distance legs. The swim leg can be from 0.25 miles to 1 mile, the bike leg from 15 to 25 miles, and the run leg from 3K to 10K meters.
Running Shoes: Running shoes should be replaced every 250 to 500 miles depending on the type of training, the type and quality of shoes, and the size of the runner. Heavier athletes tend to require new running shoes more often than smaller-framed athletes. Running shoes cost on the average from $60 to $140. On the average an avid triathlete is expected to need two to three pairs of running shoes per year.
Running Apparel: Running apparel, shirts and shorts, can be purchased and replaced at a nominal price depending on the name brand. It should be noted that any pair of shorts and shirt can be used for this purpose.
Swimming Apparel: Swimming apparel, swim suits and goggles, can also be purchased and replaced at a nominal price depending on the name brand. Most swim suits cost between $15 and $25, and are expected to last several seasons. Swimming goggles cost between $8 and $25 and are also expected to last a few seasons.
Wetsuits: Compared to other items, wetsuits are slightly more expensive, again depending on the name brand as well as the amount of coverage they provide to the body. Wetsuits are manufactured in any combination of long sleeve, short sleeve, full legs or short legs. The material that the wetsuit is made of is also a determining factor in price as it determines the temperature that the body can be subjected to without feeling the cold and losing mobility.
Wetsuits cost from $80 to $400, but are expected to last several years. Depending on the water temperature on the race day (below 60 deg. F), some race directors require all competitors to wear their wetsuits. The type of wetsuit to wear is, however, entirely up to the competitor.
Bicycle: The bicycle is by far the most expensive tool needed for a successful triathlon attendance. A good road racing bicycle can range from $800 to the sky-is-the-limit price! Professional athletes, even amateurs for whom money is not an issue, compete with bicycles that cost $6,000 to $8,000. A rumor is circulating that Greg LeMonde's (the American three-time winner of Tour de France) bike cost $15,000.
However, all things considered, $2,500 should buy an athlete a very decent road racing bicycle. A good road bicycle, one that is made of Composite Carbon Fiber, Aluminum or even Titanium, is expected to shave few minutes from an athlete's time. This is due to the fact that these materials are considerably lighter than steel, and therefore, there is less weight to be carried by the athlete, especially riding uphill.
Some athletes choose to compete in a triathlon using a mountain bike. While this practice is not prohibited at any race, the weight of the actual bicycle and its lack of aerodynamics will result in a longer bike split and prevent the triathlete from finishing with a favorable time. Maintenance of bikes (annual tune-ups, flat tires, etc.), regardless of the name brand or kind of bike and barring any accidents, does not require a lot of cash.
Cash: Cash is the most important tool needed to compete in triathlons -- as well as anything else in life!! Aside from the purchase of all of the above mentioned items, cash is also needed to register for various races. Registration fees are dependant on the race and factors such as location, race distance, sponsorship, prize money offered and the merchandise provided. These fees can range on the average from $35 to $150. All races sanctioned by the USA Triathlon Federation (Tri-Fed USA) also require the athletes to become members of that organization by paying a $5 fee towards that particular race. However, if an athlete is planning to participate in more than five Tri-Fed sanctioned races per year, it is recommended that he or she pay the annual $25 membership fee to join Tri-Fed for an unlimited number of races for that particular year.
Cash is also needed to pay for the travel associated with attending races. Not all races are located in an athlete's hometown. Races are scattered throughout the world and competing in them requires extensive travel, and therefore a considerable amount of money. One could, however, keep travel expenses down by participating only in local races, or races that are within a reasonable driving distance.
But in order to progress, it is recommended that a triathlete attend bigger, harder and better known races to compete against better athletes. Finally, cash is needed to pay for memberships at gyms, swimming pools and potentially pay for training classes.
Swimming: I, swim at least sixty laps of a 25-meter pool three to four times per week, which adds up to approximately one mile per session. Each session is usually comprised of six ten-lap segments. Each ten-lap segment concentrates on either all freestyle (crawl), all breast stroke, a combination of both (individual medley or IM), or on freestyle with a pull buoy held between the two thighs to strengthen the arm and shoulder muscles. During the off-season, sessions are usually reduced to two times per week.
Bicycling: I ride three times per week on a moderately flat terrain with some hills, at distances of no less than 25 miles and no more than 35 miles per session. During each session, I ride as fast as possible averaging speeds of 22 to 24 miles per hour. Once a week, usually on weekends, I complete a longer ride of 35 to 60 miles on a slightly hillier terrain to build endurance. During the off-season, especially since I live in the Mid-Atlantic region, biking is usually limited to a stationary bike (Life Cycle) at the gym as the weather is usually not conducive to riding outside. Approximately three to four times per week, I ride for 30 to 45 minutes per session averaging 10 to 15 miles.
Running: Running is the most versatile of the three sports, since it can just as easily be performed outside on any type of terrain as it can be performed indoors on either a treadmill or an indoor track. I usually run three to four times per week during the triathlon season at distances varying from 3 to 12 miles per session.
During the off-season, I increase my running to five times per week, peaking at 50 miles per week, with 20 miles being my longest run, if I am planning to compete in a marathon. If I am not planning to compete in a marathon, I reduce my running to two to three times per week at distances averaging between three and five miles, not exceeding seven miles per session.
Weight Training: Weight training is a very important aspect of training for triathlons. While swimming, biking and running in training for triathlons build our endurance, they, however, do little to build our strength. Muscles, especially in the legs, arms and shoulders, need to be strengthened through weight training. During the triathlon season, I normally practice approximately two to three times per week, usually in conjunction with another sport such as running indoors or swimming. During the off-season, I increase weight training to three to four times per week to strengthen my muscles for the following year's race season.
Publishers Note: Other interesting worldwide web sites about running and triathlon are:
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