New-to-Triathlon?
If you are new to triathlon and you’re gearing up for a swim meet or running a long distance, the transition from one activity to another is key. Getting into the right mindset for your next challenge can be difficult, but there are some things you can do to help.
For example, after a run, eating a snack can improve your performance by helping your body to better absorb nutrients and metabolize waste products.
What Happens Before the Swim?
Whether you’re training for your first sprint or Olympic distance triathlon, the swim is one of the most important parts of your preparation. It’s a crucial part of building up your endurance, which can have a big impact on how you perform the bike and run segments of a race.
It’s also a crucial element of safety for your race and can help you avoid the risk of drowning. For this reason, many triathlons begin their races with a swim.
A swimmer’s technique plays a key role in how fast they can go, so it’s critical to spend time perfecting the correct technique. Here are some common mistakes that triathletes make when swimming and how you can fix them to improve your results:
Over Rotating
When a triathlete over rotates, they often come out of alignment which can cause them to work against more resistance. This can also lead to a loss of power and momentum which affects how they propel themselves forwards in the water.
The goal for most Age Group Triathletes is to rotate between 25-35 degrees relative to the surface of the water. This is the range of rotation that we have found most athletes have limited flexibility and feel for, but it’s enough to keep them moving forwards without overcompensating.
Low Hips
Typically new swimmers have low hips which slows them down by creating drag as their legs sink to the bottom of the pool. They also tend to over-rotate when they breathe which will prevent them from getting their mouth out of the water.
In addition, a high head position can also create drag which can be problematic for new swimmers. The best way to combat this is to train with a coach who can help you learn how to swim correctly.
If you’re a newer triathlete, it’s recommended that you commit to at least 4-6 months of consistent training (2-3 swims per week) before your first sprint or Olympic distance race. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes once you have a strong base of swim fitness.
What Happens After the Swim?
The transition from the swim to the cycle ride is often a time when athletes make mistakes. This is especially true for first-timers, who should spend most of their technique time here.
Having a bad transition will cost you both time and points in the race. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to shave seconds off this part of the course and avoid getting disqualified.
If you’re a beginner, start by practising swimming in the shallow end of the pool. This will help you get used to the feel of the water and improve your stroke. Then, after you’ve mastered the basics, move to a deeper pool, where you can practice longer distances and more technical aspects of the swim.
When swimming in the deep end of the pool, try to stay afloat as much as possible by using your legs. They should kick down at the same rate as your hands enter the water so that you counterbalance yourself as you swim. This will help keep you on your feet and stop you from rolling over onto your back.
In general, experienced swimmers can rotate up to 45 degrees relative to the surface of the water, but Age Group Triathletes usually are better suited to limiting their rotation to 25-35 degrees. This will allow you to use your hip switch to drive your body forwards as each hand hits the water and extends.
It also helps you conserve power and momentum, which will benefit your cycling and running. In fact, according to a recent study, runners who preserve their leg stiffness from the outset of a run are more likely to maintain economy during the entire event than those who lose it early on.
The swim is a critical element of any triathlon, and it’s crucial to do your best to ensure you’re in control. That means getting your entry right, improving your stroke, and ensuring you don’t over-rotate or overstretch your legs.
The swim is the most dangerous segment of any triathlon, so it’s important to train safely. It’s also vital to know the rules of the sport and be familiar with what you’re expected to do. This will ensure you don’t become a statistic, but also give you the confidence to enjoy the experience and push yourself to your limits.
What Happens After the Cycle Ride?
The bike-run transition is a critical period in a triathlon race, as it can make the difference between winning or finishing last. Top triathletes can complete the first transition (swim cycle) in less than a minute, and the second changeover (cycle run) in less than 30 seconds.
However, transition times vary based on both the preparation and individual race organization. In general, good triathletes can complete the cycle-run transition in about 2 minutes.
There is a wide range of strategies available to reduce transition times and increase running performance. One of the most effective is to avoid drafting in the cycling portion of a triathlon. This is because drafting can decrease the amount of oxygen, ventilation, heart rate and blood lactate that athletes consume during the cycling segment of a race.
Another important strategy is to load your muscles with glycogen and drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Increasing glycogen levels can help improve performance during the cycling stage of a triathlon.
Using a sports drink with potassium is also a good idea during the cycling phase, as this can help preserve energy and decrease muscle cramping caused by the loss of sodium. Likewise, having a protein shake in your nutrition bag will help ensure adequate recovery.
A third strategy is to focus on preventing mechanical movements during the run phase of the transition. During the cycling phase, your nervous system is still geared towards controlling the mechanical movements needed for riding, so your body will take some time to get used to the completely new patterns of neuromuscular coordination required during the running portion.
In addition, your leg muscles may be depleted of glycogen and/or have been dehydrated from the high-intensity exercise you’ve just been doing. This can make your legs feel heavy and unresponsive, leading to slower running.
To counteract the effects of depletion and/or dehydration, many triathletes will use an energy gel to help boost their glycogen levels or a high-octane fuel such as a banana for speed. This strategy can shave some time off the bike stage, but it could negatively impact the run phase.
What Happens After the Run?
The run is the most critical part of a triathlon race. It has the largest impact on your body and can deplete your energy stores if you aren’t able to pace yourself correctly.
You are going to have to get a good amount of rest and refuel after the run, otherwise, you’ll be in trouble! Your muscles are sore, and you’ve spent a lot of energy on the bike and swimming. So it’s best to get a good night’s sleep and eat a meal that contains a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
It’s also important to drink water and eat food as soon as you finish the race. Try to stay away from the chocolate milk and other celebratory drinks until you’ve had something to eat in your stomach.
Your heart rate will probably have dropped significantly and your breathing will be much more shallow than it was on the bike. You’ll need to do a “square” breathing technique for the first few minutes after you finish running until your lungs feel like they’re working properly again.
If you’re struggling, a massage can help keep your blood flowing and the system circulating. Then you can go for a walk, aqua jog or another easy recovery workout.
After a few days, you can start re-starting your training and preparing for another race, but remember that you’ll need to gradually build back up to full fitness. It’s best to begin with light non-weight-bearing activities for a couple of days and then build up to running slowly, but steadily over a week.
In addition, be sure to take plenty of rest and avoid life stress for 10 days after the race, as that can greatly inhibit recovery. Taking time to relax, have fun with friends and family, and enjoy your life again is essential for a successful recovery.
