Triathlon FAQs

Triathlon FAQ
What is the most important part of preparing to complete my first triathlon?
Join a club, you will be surrounded by like minded people and can gain a lot from their experience, there will be people in the same boat as you which is a great motivator.
 
What type of person can do a triathlon?
Pretty much anyone, once you're healthy and committed to a challenge. It does take some training of course!.
There is an almost even spread of male and female members in Sligo Tri Club and ages range from early 20s to 60s. There's a place for anyone who wants to take on the challenge.

What's invovled in doing a triathlon?
Triathlon is a multisport endurance event. There are different distances but they all involove a swim followed by a cycle and finish with a run. The main distances are all follows:
 
Sprint : 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run
Olympic: 1500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run
Half Ironman: 1900m swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run
Ironman : 3800m swim, 180k cycle, 42.2k run
 
Try a tri events are typically shorter than those above and often have the swim leg in a pool. STC will be running one of these events in Spring 2012 featuring a 250m pool swim, stay tuned to the website for more details.
 
A sprint triathlon is ideal as a taster of what's invovled in the sport and is of a manageable distance for newcomers. This year (2012) Sligo Tri Club hosts a Sprint and Olympic Distance Event.
 
Will I enjoy it or is it all painful training?
Yes you will, the health and mental health benefits of sport are already well proven. As a multisports event there's always something new to learn and indeed share with others. Triathlon tends to be a social sport and is a great way to meet new people and take in the wonderful outdoors that County Sligo has to offer.
 
What equipment is required?
This need not be expensive but at the very least you will need the following:
 
Swim: Swim Hat, Goggles, Wetsuit (a surfing/general one is fine if you don't have a swimming one),
Cycle: Helmet, Bike, Runners, Shorts, Top
Run: Shorts, Top, Runners
 
Do I need a fancy bike like I see on TV?
Absolutely not, use whatever you can borrow so long as it's safe and the brakes work when you're starting out.
In time you may want to upgrade to something faster and get clip in pedals etc, these things do make you faster but are not essential while trying out the sport.
 
What do i wear during the triathlon?
For the swim in Ireland you must wear a wetsuit due to the water temperature. For the cycle and run it's up to yourself, the only rule is that you cover up and don't expose your chest! Ordinary or padded shorts plus a fitted top are fine for your first event or two.
In time you may want to use a one piece triathlon suit, these are excellent and save a lot of time when moving from one leg of the event to the next. No one will be looking at you so don't be self conscious, most triathletes are more interested in themselves on race day than what's going on around them.

How hard is the swim?
For many it's not difficult at all but for people new to swimming it can be the most daunting leg of the event, especially if the seas are rough. Sligo Tri Club have a well developed Swim Program to help get you ready for this.
 
Is it cold?
Wearing a wetsuit while swimming in Irish waters in the summer is not cold, the average time for a 750m swim leg is about 16 mins so you won't even be in the water for very long. Short version, there's nothing to worry about.
 
How much training would i need to do to complete a Sprint Distance event?
How long is a piece of string! It depends on your current level of fitness and if you have swum before etc. Talk to any of the club coaches who will help you figure this one out. As a very basic rule of thumb you should be able to cover the distance of each leg without feeling too much strain.
 
Do I need food or drinks during the event?
This is a science in itself and also depends on the individual. For your first sprint triathlon make sure you're well hydrated before the event and all you should need is to have a drink on your bike, water or an isotonic drink whatever you normally have.