Do I need to train?

It is recommended – however, if you are already moderately active, you should be able to complete one leg of this event without specific training. The event does offer a great incentive for you to get your workmates together for lunchtime training.  You know, the lunchtime run you’ve been talking about all winter. Any exercise will improve your concentration and productivity in the office, not to mention make you feel fantastic!

Swim

If you don’t have a background in swimming, then finding a coach to help learn good efficient technique is essential. Developing swim technique takes time and practice, and working on specific drills between coached sessions will reduce the time it takes to swim well. Even if you swim regularly, stroke correction can make a big difference to swimming efficiency. In a triathlon, you are permitted to swim any stroke you like, although most people choose to swim freestyle. However, if you need a rest or have trouble sighting the buoys, breaststroke is a good second stroke to have.

Bike

Most people quickly learn to ride a bike however correct cycling technique and well-developed bike handling skills will improve cycling performance and reduce risk of injury and accidents. Time should be spent practicing bike skills and technique. It is helpful to find a coach to get the fundamental skills correct early on. Cycling is inherently dangerous and safety is dependent on skills such as maintaining balance while riding slowly, agility exercises, cornering and maneuvering, stopping, descending and climbing and these should be practiced often. Cycling technique can be developed and will improve cycling speed. This includes learning correct pedaling technique, appropriate gear selection and optimal cadence development. Road rules must always be obeyed. Use front and rear lights when riding at night and wear brightly colored clothing to improve your visibility. Riding with a bunch or group can improve cycling skills and provide a social component to your training. There is etiquette involved in bunch cycling and it is important to observe this if you join the bunch. If you haven’t ridden in a bunch before, have someone explain the rules to you. Learn how to sit a wheel, call out and signal all obstacles and traffic etc, so you can have a safe enjoyable training ride.

Run

You don’t have to be able to run to finish a triathlon, walking is permitted. Although running is the most natural of the 3 disciplines of triathlon, it also causes the most injuries. This is usually due to trying to do too much too soon with too much high intensity running, poor biomechanics, insufficient warm up and lack of stretching. If you haven’t run before or recently, start slowly.