A friend of mine once told me that his motto in life is “stay ready, so you don’t ever have to get ready”.  I thought that applies perfectly to health and fitness.  The hardest thing to do is to get in shape, but once you get there it’s much easier to stay in shape.

One of the ways to get in shape and stay there is to Try a Tri-athlon.  Triathlons are held several times a year throughout the county.  Check bike shops and sporting goods stores in your area to get details about any in your area.  Triathlons include 3 main disciplines; swimming, cycling, running.  At first you may be thinking of an Ironman contest were athletes compete for about 8+ continuous hours of grueling physical exertion.  Unless you intend on becoming a pro athlete, that level of dedication isn’t necessary to get fit.  You might find however, that you love triathlon and Ironman could be a goal someday in the future.  Here are some ways to work up to that level of competition;

Sprint Triathlon (500 meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run)
There are two types of people who sign up for the Sprint; those who are new to triathlon, and “sprinters”.  Sprinters will travel all around the country to compete.  Some people find that this triathlon is too fast.  They feel that just when they get their rhythm its time to switch to the next event, then the next, then the competition is over.  However, for beginners this opens the door to a whole new sport.

Olympic Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run)
If you enjoyed the Sprint, and you’re ready for something a bit more challenging, it may be time to do an Olympic.  This triathlon allows you to enjoy each event, get your rhythm, and make up for lost time on an event that you may not be as efficient at.  In other words, you may not be a strong swimmer, but running is a breeze.  So, you can make up for lost time on the running event.

Half Ironman Triathlon (1.9k swim, 90k bike, 21.1k run)
If you find that you’ve woken up the old college athlete in you, and you’ve got your lungs and legs back, then the “Half” is your next step.  This triathlon requires significant attention given to your nutrition and training all year long.  You’ll need to be fairly strict with yourself in your everyday life if you want to compete at a high level.

Ironman Triathlon (3.86k swim, 180k bike, 42.2k run)
If you still have more left in the tank, this event will be sure to take the rest – and some.  Training for Ironman requires a change in lifestyle.  How much of a change will be up to you.  Sure, you’re still allowed days off to cheat and sneak in some junk food, but by this time you’ll more than likely be turned off by most anything that could break down the “temple” you’ve built that is your body.

The Gear
Researching the Internet, you’ll find there are many shops that specialize in Triathlon equipment.  As with anything, having the right gear makes all the difference in the world.

The Swim
You’ll want to wear a wetsuit, especially if you’re a beginner.  Wetsuits don’t just keep you warm; they’ll keep you buoyant and moving through the water’s surface efficiently.  The emphasis during the swim is to focus on your upper body muscles, preserving your legs as much as possible.  Over time, you’ll also develop techniques to help you maximize each stroke.  Goggles and a swim cap are also very helpful.

The Tri Bike
This is the most costly part of Triathlon.  Tri bikes are very light weight, strong, fast, and they look cool too. The bike’s geometry puts your body in an aerodynamic position, allowing you to cut through the air.  The seat position is at a degree where you’ll maximize the muscles in your quads, thereby saving your hamstrings and calves for the run.  A good entry level carbon fiber tri-bike starts at around $2,000 so you’ll want to be sure you really enjoy Triathlon before you invest.

The Run

Be sure to invest in a good pair of running shoes.  Steer clear of the generic sporting goods stores and talk to the running experts.  They’ll evaluate exactly how you run and will fit you into an appropriate shoe.  The sole of running shoes provides you with needed support in specific areas.  This is essential in helping you preserve your shins, knees, and hips.  Also, be sure to never run in new shoes.  Walk around in them for a few weeks to break them in.  Then, take them out for a few jogs before race day.

The benefits to doing triathlons is that you can do them twice a year; once in the spring and again in the fall.  Committing yourself to doing so will mean that you’ll train and eat right all year long.  That means you’ll stay fit and won’t have to get fit.

- Stephen Johnson

(Please be sure to always consult your doctor before engaging in any exercise)

Special thanks to Chris at Fezzari Bicycles for article support.

Triathlon bicycle specialist!
You can view their line of road bikes, triathlon race bikes and mountain bikes at www.fezzari.com.

Visit NELSON WADE for custom clothing, such as Made to Measure Suit, Custom Shirts, Custom Neckties.

Post from: NELSON WADE Magazine

Try a Tri…