You love participating in sports, especially those that take place outdoors. Now you're looking to really challenge yourself, pushing ...
You
love participating in sports, especially those that take place outdoors. Now
you're looking to really challenge yourself, pushing the limits of your skills
and endurance. You love to swim, and run, and ride your bike, so, the answer is
clear- enter a triathlon! Australia offers too many great triathlons to list
them all, some of the favourites are The Perth Triathlon, The Jewel ITU World
Triathlon Gold Coast, and the Byron
Bay Triathlon- if these are a bit far away for you, there are sure to be events
in your area as well. Let's get started!
·
Basic
training - You might
already be in great shape, but triathlons are designed to take you to your
limits, and beyond, so you will need to start a rigorous training regimen. That
means exercising every day, without fail, always pushing yourself to go a
little faster. Think about your personal goals and strive for them, but be
patient, becoming a competitive athlete takes time and diligence. Sometimes it's
impossible to train outdoors during inclement weather, but that doesn't mean
you can't get a great workout, you can
run on a Matrix
Treadmill without leaving the comfort and safety of your
home, it's a great way to keep your body moving when the storm warnings keep
you inside, and any time it’s convenient for you! Another important factor is a
healthy diet, this is
critical to achieving and maintaining your top physical condition, and it
tastes great too!
·
The Swim - This tends to be most triathletes’ weakest event, requiring an
appropriate body of water, and sometimes these aren't conveniently located,
particularly in urban areas. Getting to the local pool and fighting your way
through the crowds can be discouraging. A pool is better than nothing, but
since triathlons are held outdoors, that's where you really need to be
training. Some larger city parks have lakes or ponds, or head to the seaside,
just make sure to follow the local rules- "No Swimming" signs mean
what they say, and with good reason! And remember, the secret is your
technique, focus on that and you've got this!
·
The Bike - The bike portion of the race requires some gear, its you and your
vehicle working together. There aren't many rules regarding the kind of bike
you ride, so you can compete on a mountain bike, or whatever you like, but a
real road bike will give you your best time. Wearing compatible shoes and
eschewing clips will ensure each pedal stroke is as effective as it can be.
Once again technique is the key, be able to pedal like clockwork and practice
your shifting on different grades so you and your bike become as one.
·
The Run - The final leg of your triathlon journey begins with your feet or
rather the shoes you have on them. Make sure you invest in a pair of
high-quality running shoes that will get you across the mark and over the
finish line in your personal record time. You can train anywhere you can take
off and run without endangering yourself or pedestrians. City sidewalks aren't
really the best for this unless it's during off hours when foot traffic is at a
low ebb. Once again, technique is key, keep practising until you hit your
stride!
Be sure to check
out the Australian Government's sports website for information on all kinds of sporting events, including triathlons.
Good luck with your first triathlon, it's a real challenge, and you can feel
very proud that you did the work you needed to make it happen!
