Triathlon and Beyond: The triathletes training bible for every men & women exploring triathlon science, anatomy, triathlon nutrition & the right triathlete mindset for beginners & Ironman athletes

By Sam Humphries

Triathlon and Beyond is the perfect book for all triathletes and Ironman fans.

Written by a renowned triathlete and coach, this book provides you with everything you need to know about triathlon training, nutrition and ironman training. You'll learn about the principles of training for a triathlon, the importance of eating properly for a race, how to build a comprehensive anaerobic training program and tips for improving your performance. With Triathlon and Beyond by your side, you'll be able to achieve your goals faster than ever before.

From beginner to experienced athlete, Triathlon and Beyond has you covered. This book is the ultimate reference guide for triathlon success.

Don't wait any longer - order your copy today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Z Media
• Release date: May 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798835635009

Book preview

Introduction

Are you passionate about being a triathlete, but you are a newbie and unsure whether you want to commit to finishing your first triathlon event? Don't jump the gun yet. Take your time. It's going to be a long journey ahead of you. This is certainly not for the faint of heart. As a beginner, you should also be aware of the resources you will need. There is no guarantee, after all, that you'll be able to see this through till the end. For example, you don't need a high-end triathlon bike at this early stage when you can do your training on a regular road bike. Don't go at it like a pro when you're just starting. 

The more ambitious your goals in triathlon are, the more things you need to focus on to achieve those goals. If your goal is just to complete your first half-marathon, you can afford to be a little lax on nutrition, sleep, stress, training partners, friends, stretching, equipment, training analysis, and strength training. However, if you want to win a national championship, you need to focus everything in your life on triathlon success. Some athletes are so focused on getting the right numbers on their logs that they forget why they chose the sport in the first place.

Most came to triathlon with a strong background in one or two of the three events and soon became skilled at the others, thanks to their mental tenacity and perseverance. Many people come to the sport as multisport athletes. 5-kilometer organizers design their courses to range from open water to roads, where some of the most challenging terrains can be found. Up to 140 miles are covered in these multisport events. 

More and more people are participating in triathlons to stay fit and have fun, as the sport is experiencing tremendous growth. They are all there to test their endurance and achieve their goals in life. If you want to focus on your placement, make your goal about you. Triathlon is about you. If you have participated in road races, swim races or bike races in the past, you may be tempted to set a goal time for your race.

Do not aim for a specific time in your first race. You don't want to be disappointed that you did not achieve an exact accumulation of hours, minutes, and seconds for a race that you completed. 

Triathlon

Triathlon is made up of swimming, cycling, and running. A three-part sport is a continuous event and can also be a team competition.

The first triathlon took place in 1974. Jack and Don were the pioneers of this sport: a 10-kilometer run, an 8-kilometer bike ride, and a 500-meter swim. The sport was first introduced in the 2000 Australia Olympic Games and has achieved such high acclaim in such a short period.

Triathlon has gained popularity and worldwide recognition. The first world championship in triathlon was held in 1989. The official distance was set at 1,500 meters of swimming, 40 kilometers of cycling, and 10 kilometers of running. Participants swim to the start. The transition is a crucial part of the race strategy, as there is no break between the three stages.

In the following years, triathlon became more popular as more athletes considered it their specialty. If you have already completed a bike race, you can probably participate in a triathlon. Participants are divided by age and gender. Casual triathletes are referred to as age groupers. The more serious participants are referred to as elite athletes.

The rules of triathlon are their own. Most of the rules are for safety and provide a level playing field. All three events have their own rules, some of which are universal. Depending on the length and severity of the race, time penalties up to 12 minutes can be imposed.

A Half-Distance Triathlon

The half-distance triathlon, also called Ironman 70.3, is internationally booming because it does not require as much intensive training as the full-distance triathlon.

The ultimate challenge in endurance sports is Ironman 140.6, which is another step down from Ironman 70.3. Every year, the event draws more people because of its name and reputation, making it known as a hardcore event.

The epitome of calculated adventure, a battle against the water, the wind, the course, and yourself - this is the triathlon.

Endurance and stamina are required if you want to finish the half-distance. When you tell your friends you are training for a triathlon; they'll be amazed. Every triathlon gets praised, even if the participants are not training for a 140-mile race. Put them all together, and you get the Ironman. The Ironman is the Mount Everest of triathlon, the race that all serious triathletes aim for.

You need to have a few irons in the fire to double the distance. If you do not accumulate enough training hours,