While doing a running race is a common bucket-list item for many people, taking part in a multi-sport event like a triathlon can seem like a daunting task. But, it doesn't have to be impossible -- in fact, it can be really easy! If the idea of doing a triathlon is something you're excited to take on, then read on.
In this guide, you’ll learn the answers to many questions beginner (and even some experienced triathletes) have about doing a race. We'll tell you everything you need to know to get started.
We'll give you comprehensive answers to the following topics and questions:
- How to Start Training for a Triathlon
- Triathlon Distances Explained: Sprint, Olympic, Half-IRONMAN, IRONMAN
- How long does it take to train for a triathlon?
- How long does it take to train for a sprint triathlon?
- What do I need for a triathlon? Ultimate Beginner's Checklist
- What is a good triathlon time?
- What to Wear for a Triathlon: A Guy's Gear Guide
- What to Wear for a Triathlon: Female Edition
- What to Wear for a Triathlon: Simple Tips to Look and Feel Like a Pro
- How long is the swim in a triathlon?
- Triathlon Swim Workouts: Training Tips for Your Best Race
- How To Train for Swimming in a Triathlon: A Beginners Guide
- Do I need a wetsuit in a triathlon? Expert tips for first time racers
- Can you use a snorkel in a triathlon on race day?
- How to breathe while swimming: a guide to mastering the swim in triathlon
- Triathlon Swim Training: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
- Triathlon Bike Training
- What size triathlon bike do I need? A Complete Fitting Guide
- What kind of bike do you need for a triathlon?
- Triathlon Run Training
- Beginners Guide to Triathlon Brick Workouts
- How To Train for a Sprint Triathlon + 8 Week Beginner Training Plan
- What to eat the day before a triathlon: Your fuel before a race
- What to eat the night before a triathlon: Fueling for your big race
- What to eat for breakfast before a triathlon: Pre-race fuel
- What to eat during a triathlon: a complete guide to fueling your best race
- Triathlon Strength Training: Train smarter for maximum race day gains
- Yoga for Triathletes: What works, what doesn't, and how to do it right
For a personalized training plan that is customized to your ability, your personal schedule, and your goals, check out our MOTTIV training app where you can train for free!
Complete TRIATHLON Race Guide
HOW TO START TRAINING FOR A TRIATHLON
From the distances of each leg of a triathlon, the different triathlon race distances, to how to train for races, and the type of gear you'll need to get started, we answer all of the basic questions in the article How To Start Training for a Triathlon.
Triathlon distances explained: sprint, olympic, half-IRONMAN, ironman
There are four main race distances in triathlon. We break down all of the most common triathlon distances, and explain how long each discipline (swim, bike, run) is in each of the distances. Check out our article: Triathlon Distances Explained: Sprint, Olympic, Half-IRONMAN, IRONMAN.
How long does it take to train for a triathlon?
How long it takes each person to train for a triathlon depends on a number of factors: your current fitness, your familiarity with swimming, cycling, and running, and what distance of triathlon you'd like to do. We provide a comprehensive list of average times and a calculator you can use to determine for yourself How Long Goes It Take to Train for a Triathlon?
How long does it take to train for a sprint triathlon?
A sprint triathlon is the shortest of the four most common distances of triathlon (there are things such as a Try-a-Tri or a Super Sprint, which allow people a chance to get the feel for a three-sport event, but they're much less common).
In this blog post, we give you all of the answers to the question How Long Does It Take to Train for a Sprint Triathlon?
what do i need for a triathlon? An Ultimate Beginners Gear checklist
So you know you want to do a triathlon but you're not sure about all of the equipment required to do a race. Our article What Do I Need for a Triathlon: An Ultimate Beginners Checklist will make sure you've got every piece of gear you need for tri training and racing.
What is a good triathlon time?
Before starting a race, athletes often want to know approximately how long it will take them to actually do the race. We take a look at every distance of triathlon, and the average times for every single age group in each one, so you can answer the question for yourself, What is a Good Triathlon Time?
What to wear for triathlon: A guy's gear guide
The needs of male and female athletes doing triathlons are similar but with some key differences. We explain all of the most important pieces of gear for a male athlete in our article What To Wear for Triathlon: A Guy's Gear Guide.
what to wear for triathlon: Female edition
The needs of women in a triathlon are quite different than that of men, which is why we put together this comprehensive guide: What to Wear for Triathlon: Female Edition.
What is an average ultra marathon pace?
Doing a race with three different sports combined into one means athletes require some unique pieces of equipment and clothing. We give you the rundown in our article What to Wear for a Triathlon: Simple Tips to Look and Feel Like a Pro.
HOW LONG IS THE SWIM IN A TRIATHLON?
Swimming can be one of the most intimidating parts of doing a triathlon, so it's important to understand how long the swim leg is in each of the common distances of triathlon. We break it all down for you in our article, How Long is the Swim in a Triathlon?
TRIATHLON SWIM WORKOUTS: TRAINING TIPS FOR YOUR BEST RACE
So you know how long the swim is in the type of triathlon you want to do, but how to you best train for open water swimming? We answer that in our article Triathlon Swim Workouts: Training Tips for your Best Race.
How to train for swimming in a triathlon: a beginners guide
Many adults haven't done any serious swimming since they were kids, and don't feel confident about hitting open water in a race. That's why we put together the article How To Train for Swimming in a Triathlon: A Beginners Guide.
Do I NEED A WETSUIT IN A TRIATHLON? EXPERT TIPS FOR FIRST TIME RACERS
It's one of the top questions we get from new and aspiring triathletes. Interestingly, the answer actually isn't straightforward. We give you all of the details it in our article: Do I Need a Wetsuit in a Triathlon? Expert Tips for First Time Racers
can you use a snorkel in a triathlon on race day?
Snorkels are a common training tool for swimming, allowing athletes to focus on technique in the water without worrying about getting enough air. But what about in a race? We answer the question in our article, Can you use a snorkel in a triathlon on race day?
How to breathe while swimming: a guide to mastering the swim in triathlon
Humans aren't built to breathe under water (no kidding!) That's why learning to breathe while swimming can be such a challenge. We just happen to be experts in teaching adults how to swim. Get started with our article How to Breathe While Swimming: A Guide to Mastering the Swim in Triathlon
triathlon bike training
Although most adults can ride a bike, getting ready to ride in a triathlon is a whole different ball-game. We explain the nuances of triathlon cycling and how to get ready for your race in our article Triathlon Bike Training.
what kind of bike do you need for a triathlon?
We always say the best kind of bike for your first triathlon is whatever bike you have available. But, for some folks, your dad's old mountain bike isn't quite what you want to use. So in this article we answer the question, What kind of bike do you need for a triathlon?
triathlon run training
Running after swimming and cycling is a unique experience, which is why we have written an article detailing everything you need to know about Triathlon Run Training.
beginners guide to triathlon brick workouts
Getting off your bike and immediately running can be a big shock for the body when it's not used to doing it, making racing difficult. That's what bike-to-run "Brick" workouts are for, and we show you how to do it in Beginners Guide to Triathlon Brick Workouts.
how to train for a sprint triathlon + 8 week beginner training plan
This article is a comprehensive guide on what you need to get ready for the shortest distance of triathlon, a sprint triathlon along with a basic 8 week beginner training plan. You can see it in our article here: How To Train for a Sprint Triathlon + 8 Week Beginner Training Plan
what to eat the day before a triathlon: Your fuel before a race
Nutrition is the fourth discipline in triathlon. You won't perform well if you don't fuel your body properly in the days leading into your event. We run down your pre-race food and hydration needs in our article What to Eat the Day Before a Triathlon: Your Fuel Before a Race
what to eat the night before a triathlon: fueling for your big race
Getting your body ready for your triathlon begins the day -- and especially the evening -- before your race. In this article, we give you the details you need on What to Eat the Night Before a Triathlon: Fueling for Your Big Race
what to eat for breakfast before a triathlon: Pre-Race fuel
The food you eat in the hours before your triathlon will set the stage for whether you have a good day or a bad one. In this next article, we go into detail on What to Eat for Breakfast Before a Triathlon: Pre-Race Fuel
what to eat during a triathlon: A complete guide to fueling your best race
Planning your fuel for during a race can be some of the most important choices you can make, and can absolutley make or break how the day goes. We go over everything to consider (how much food, what food, and the timing of when you take it) in our article What to Eat During a Triathlon: A Complete Guide to Fueling Your Best Race
triathlon strength training: train smarter for maximum race day gains
Although you're training for an endurance event when you're doing a triathlon, strength training is one of the lesser known keys to staying healthy and being faster with less effort. We explain how to integrate strength training in our article Triathlon Strength Training: Train Smarter for Maximum Race Day Gains
yoga for triathletes: what works, what doesn't, and how to do it right
Endurance training can take a toll on the body. One critical way to stay loose and keep your muscles working well is by adding flexibility exercises like yoga. We explain how to add it to your routine in our article Yoga for Triathlets: What Works, What Doesn't, and How To Do It Right
Wrap-Up
Read through our triathlon training guide articles and you’ll learn what it takes to get yourself totally ready to race in a triathlon.
But, for free personalized training to help you complete a triathlon of your choice, be sure to check out our app!
