All about triathlon

Do you want to practice a sport that's a change from the ordinary? Opt for the triathlon! This versatile outdoor sport offers you to link three events: a swimming part, a cycling discipline and a running section. Focus on this fascinating activity that everyone can do to make it your next sports challenge!

Triathlon: definition of this triple sport

Do you know someone you know who does triathlon? This is not surprising: if it comes straight from the United States, this intriguing activity is booming in France!

But then, what is triathlon? It is actually a three-in-one sport. In triathlon, you swim, pedal and run! This is referred to as a chained discipline, since the events follow one another one after another. The transition from one sport to another, also timed, is referred to as transition.

Practitioners are referred to as triathletes or triathletes.

What is the order of the three triathlon activities?

There is one golden rule: the different triathlon events always take place in the same order, namely swimming, cycling and running.

The first swimming event is contested in open water, most often in a lake or the sea. Participants then race on their bikes before running across the finish line.

There is also a

Swimming event

There is a 4th discipline that is an integral part of triathlon: transitions. Indeed, the triathlete must hurry when he gets out of the water, retrieves his bike, puts it down again and puts on his running shoes. Otherwise, he or she risks losing precious minutes with the result being a tumble in the standings.

What are the distances of a triathlon?

You should know that triathlons can be run over short distances as well as long, even very long distances. It will therefore delight sprint and explosiveness enthusiasts as well as endurance-minded long-distance runners.

The race formats of the short distance triathlon:

triathlon XS (discovery distance);
S triathlon (sprint distance);
M triathlon (Olympic distance);

The race formats of the long distance triathlon:

L triathlon;
triathlon XL;
ironman 70.3 triathlon;
triathlon XXL or Ironman.

With only 400m of swimming, 10km of cycling and 2.5km of running, the XS format is ideal for beginners who want to discover the discipline. In contrast, the famed Ironman competitions require diligent practice and substantial training to come to grips with the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.195km marathon.

Of course, the intermediate distances allow you to go at your own pace, bit by bit. Between short distance or long distance, the choice is yours!

Why do triathlons

Triathlon is a very complete sport with many benefits! That's right, because the three disciplines promote the work of different muscle groups and solicit endurance and breath. The variety of workouts allows you to break the routine and never get bored. In the saddle, on the track or in the pool, there are always thrills to be had!

Triathlon is also an activity that is practiced outdoors and shared. It's the perfect sport to enjoy nature with friends!

In addition, participating in a triathlon can be a great challenge to take on, a challenge to surpass yourself and gain self-confidence.

Moreover, triathlon is a mixed sport accessible to all: the youngest and the oldest! Everyone chooses the race format that suits them and trains at their level. It is possible to start practicing from 6 years old, in club and competition. Of course, the distances are adapted according to the age of the children.

How to equip yourself for triathlon.

If you decide to embark on the triple effort adventure, you'll need to equip yourself accordingly. As you can imagine, stringing together three sports as varied as swimming, cycling and running requires specific equipment that meets the constraints of triathlon.

Keep in mind that this equipment represents a certain budget. You're doing three sports, not just one: logically, you'll need equipment specific to each discipline. But you're not necessarily going to use the same equipment in training and competition. Why not? For the simple reason that when you practice, you don't necessarily chain activities together.

Here are the main elements of triathlon gear:

the road bike or triathlon bike;
triathlon bike shoes and a full cycling outfit (shorts, jersey, helmet, gloves, goggles);
technical running clothes and a pair of runners;
a swimsuit, swim cap and goggles;
the specific equipment for training in the pool (pull buoy, pads, fins, elastic).

In addition, the essential equipment to participate in competitions:

The trifunction: the centerpiece of the triathlete's wardrobe, it acts as a swimsuit, shorts with its light chamois and running gear.
The neoprene suit: depending on the water temperature, it is sometimes mandatory to swim with a triathlon suit. In addition to protecting you from the cold, it improves buoyancy.
Self-locking speed laces to make transitions easier.
A transition bag to store all your stuff in the bike park.
A bib belt.

What competitions in triathlon?

Triathlon is represented at the highest international level. The chained discipline is on the Olympic program. It is on an M race that triathletes compete in the Olympic Games. That's why this format is nicknamed "Olympic distance"!

Every year, the elite of short-distance triathlon compete in the World Triathlon Series (WTS), the world championships, which combine several events in the S or M format. The winner of the World Triathlon Series is crowned after a grand finale.

Long-distance triathlon enthusiasts, meanwhile, compete in L-, XL-, or XXL-sized events. These include the impressive and renowned Ironman and half-Ironman (Ironman 70.3) races, such as Ironman Nice or Vichy in France. The Ironman World Championships bring together the best long-distance triathletes in the United States on the Kona course: The Hawaii Ironman is a true myth in the history of triathlon, a dream, a consecration!

The ancillary disciplines of triathlon

The French Triathlon Federation (FFTRI) brings together other disciplines that are close to triathlon, equally demanding, dynamic and exciting:

Paratriathlon to allow everyone to take part in this fabulous sport, including people with disabilities.
The cross-triathlon: cycling and running circuits are conducted off-road (mountain biking and trail running).
The snow triathlon: head to the mountains where swimming is substituted for cross-country skiing.
The duathlon: two sports for three events with, in order, running, cycling and again running.
The aquathlon: like the triathlon, but without the cycling part!
The bike and run: a pair competition where partners run and pedal, swapping bikes as they please.
The swim bike: a recent discipline where athletes swim before getting in the saddle.
The swim run: a course alternating swimming and running sections on which swimming equipment is allowed (pads, pull buoy, etc.).

So, ready to rock triathlon?

How about discovering track cycling, another atypical discipline?