What is a Triathlon?

[BigDane92]

I like triathlons

 

[theWD]

As a newby to (sprint) Triathlons, this is a usful guide - thanks.
Personally, I did a pool based sprint to start with as it seemed simplier (with regards wetsuits etc) and less intimidating on the swim section (said as a breaststroke swimmer). Can only recommend it! A great experience and now really looking forward to my next one in October, in Wadebridge.

If in doubt - give one a go.

 

[magpie21]

Thanks for this, really informative for someone like me who is looking to get into triathlons

 

[Ajax Bay]

Thought I'd update the 'distance' bit as, 11 years on, there's been some development.
Short course, which at a pro level is draft-legal, is raced at:
1) Standard (named as such because 'Olympic' is TM'd): 1.5km/40km/10km S/B/R
2) Sprint: half that (750m/20km/5km)
3) Super Sprint: half that again
Middle Distance, which is all draft illegal, but draft zone varies:
4) T100: 2km/80km/18km (draft zone 20m)
5) IRONMAN 70.3 (aka half Ironman): 1.9km/90km/21.1km (draft zone 12m)
Long Distance (aka 'full' or 'Ironman'):
6) Ironman: 3.8km/180km/42.2km (draft zone 12m)
7) Challenge (long, eg Roth): same

Our daughter is racing in New Zealand next Saturday (14 December 2024) in the 70.3 World Championships in Taupo:

Live broadcast (1745 UK Friday) if interested: Ironman Youtube (no sign in)

 

[Ajax Bay]

Our daughter is racing in New Zealand next Saturday (14 December 2024) in the 70.3 World Championships in Taupo:
Live broadcast (1745 UK Friday) if interested: Ironman Youtube (no sign in)

Race went well, including averaging over 40kph on the bike for 90km and finishing off with a 1:15 half marathon.

Photo: Kevin McKinnon

 

[Homers Double]

That’s an amazing time, I’ve got IM 70.3 Bolton in a few weeks and shan’t be anywhere near that pace 😞

 

[Tenkaykev]

That’s an amazing time, I’ve got IM 70.3 Bolton in a few weeks and shan’t be anywhere near that pace 😞

I agree, that's a truly laudable effort ( I was browsing " recent posts " and didn't notice the thread originated in 2011)
It's great to be up the sharp end, but if you've given your all in the race you should be justifiably proud of your achievement whatever the clock says. Good luck in Bolton 👍

 

[Ajax Bay]

Yes - good luck in Bolton. Daughter's latest success is a win at Ironman Texas, in the world best ever time for an Ironman (8:10).
https://www.ironman.com/news/kristi...ies-during-thrilling-day-racing-2025-memorial

 

[Homers Double]

Thank you and stop it. I’m 48, slow and shoot… but possibly less shoot than most people my age!
I’ve ran 2 x marathons which is an achievement in itself but cycling is my forte so Tri seemed like a good idea hammered on a Saturday night.
I’ve completed an Outlaw 70.3 during Covid so wasn’t in the best shape and in reality I’ve not committed to this one 100%.

Updates to follow…

 

[Homers Double]

I forgot about this thread, well I finished at towards the back end of the field as the run was hell on legs.
Since the 70.3 I've done very little, a few gentle swims and a few road bike rides. I'm booked on the NW sprint distance tri at Barony park this weekend and have done sod all training leading up to it as I pulled my hamstring in Italy a few weeks ago.
Oh well, at least it's only a short event.

 

[Beebo]

Just caught up with the woman’s Ironman on Kona.

The final run was so dramatic. It was so hot that Brit Lucy Charles-Barclay had to drop out in second place as she was overheating. The uSA leader Taylor Knibb then totally bonked and ended up sitting on the side of the road whilst the others overtook her.
The Brit Kat Matthews who came in second ran 2.47 for a final leg marathon. That’s crazy fast in that heat.


View: https://youtu.be/9sYEMnhjMH0?si=Lot0t4XF60JhSjp2

 

[Ajax Bay]

Just caught up with the woman’s Ironman on Kona.

The final run was so dramatic. It was so hot that Brit Lucy Charles-Barclay had to drop out in second place as she was overheating. The uSA leader Taylor Knibb then totally bonked and ended up sitting on the side of the road whilst the others overtook her.
The Brit Kat Matthews who came in second ran 2.47 for a final leg marathon. That’s crazy fast in that heat.


View: https://youtu.be/9sYEMnhjMH0?si=Lot0t4XF60JhSjp2

Charles-Barclay was pulled out of the race about 17 miles in (2/3rds round): she had had some struggling for at least 5 miles, from overheating, as you say. Knibb didn't "bonk" as in run out of fuel: she too overheated (and was still well over 40oC core temperature when measured in the med centre after being 'casevaced' from the place she collapsed, only 3 miles from the end. Both overheated because of the conditions, obviously, but under their control, they ran too fast in the first third.

The winner Solveig Loevseth was chasing them all the way and that pressure from behind forced these two epic fails. Even before they slowed down Loevseth's better pace was such she would have caught them both. As would our daughter who chased Loevseth to the very end, but was 35 seconds down. she ran the last 2km at 3:30 mpk pace, btw.

I confess slight disappointment/annoyance that all the chat (including yours, first part) is about the failures as opposed to the winner and all the others who didn't blow themselves up!

Yes, vicariously, Saturday was great: on to the Half-ironman world champs in Spain in 24 days!

 

[Beebo]

Charles-Barclay was pulled out of the race about 17 miles in (2/3rds round): she had had some struggling for at least 5 miles, from overheating, as you say. Knibb didn't "bonk" as in run out of fuel: she too overheated (and was still well over 40oC core temperature when measured in the med centre after being 'casevaced' from the place she collapsed, only 3 miles from the end. Both overheated because of the conditions, obviously, but under their control, they ran too fast in the first third.

The winner Solveig Loevseth was chasing them all the way and that pressure from behind forced these two epic fails. Even before they slowed down Loevseth's better pace was such she would have caught them both. As would our daughter who chased Loevseth to the very end, but was 35 seconds down. she ran the last 2km at 3:30 mpk pace, btw.

I confess slight disappointment/annoyance that all the chat (including yours, first part) is about the failures as opposed to the winner and all the others who didn't blow themselves up!

Yes, vicariously, Saturday was great: on to the Half-ironman world champs in Spain in 24 days!

You must be very proud.
I understand your comments about the focus on the two ladies who over cooked themselves.
The tightrope that they have to navigate between under pacing and over pacing makes for the drama. And it’s the drama of sport that makes these things exciting to an armchair viewer who isn’t going to watch a full 8.30 hours.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I confess slight disappointment/annoyance that all the chat (including yours, first part) is about the failures as opposed to the winner and all the others who didn't blow themselves up!

I met up with my triathlete friend and she described the race to me. Sorry to report she only mentioned the ones who blew up.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Remember it’s about those who take part. The winner should play but one small part in the conversation.