Triathlon: a multi-sport event consisting of three different continuous stages testing one's endurance. Although other variations exist, the most common one involves swimming, biking, and running. The term triathlon comes from Greek origins - treis, meaning three and athlos meaning competition.
Triathletes spend many hours training for competitions, like other endurance event participants. Injuries that are incurred from long hours of a single activity are not as common in triathlons as they are in single sport events. The cross-training effect that athletes achieve from training for one sport by doing a second activity applies to triathlon training. Additional activities that triathletes perform for cross-training benefits are yoga, pilates, and weight training.
After registering for a triathlon, racers are often provided a race number, colored swim cap, and, if the event is being electronically timed, a timing band or chip.
Triathletes will often use their legs less vigorously and more carefully than most other swimmers, conserving their leg muscles for the cycle and run to follow. Many triathletes use altered swim strokes to compensate for turbulent, aerated water and to conserve energy for a long swim. The majority of triathlons involve open-water swim stages, sometimes lakes or bays, rather than pools with lane markers. As a result, triathletes must swim for the best position. Triathletes will often use "dolphin kicking" and diving to make headway against waves, and body surfing to use a wave's energy for a bit of speed at the end of the swim stage.
Triathlon cycling can differ in some competitions, depending on whether drafting is allowed. Those governed by USA Triathlon and the World Triathlon Corporation do not allow drafting, and thus the cycling portion more closely resembles individual time trial racing.
Triathlon bicycles are generally optimized for aerodynamics, having special handlebars called aero-bars or tri-bars, aerodynamic wheels, and other components. Triathlon bikes use a specialized geometry, including a steep seat-tube angle both to improve aerodynamics and to spare muscle groups needed for running. At the end of the bike segment, triathletes also often cycle with a higher cadence (revolutions per minute), which serves in part to keep the muscles loose and flexible for running.
Most of the time, the running in a triathlon occurs after the athlete has already been exercising in two other disciplines for an extended period of time, so many muscles are already tired. The effect of switching from cycling to running can be profound; first-time triathletes are often astonished at their muscle weakness, maybe caused by lactate accumulation and the bizarre, sometimes painful sensation in their thighs a few hundred yards into the run, and discover that they run at a much slower pace than they are accustomed to in training. Triathletes train for this phenomenon through transition workouts known as "bricks": back-to-back workouts involving two disciplines, most commonly cycling and running.
A transition area is a place set up where triathletes can change gear for the different segments of the triathlon. This area provides a staging place where bicycles, running shoes, hydration and other gear is set up ready to be used during the course of the event. The first transition, known as T1, is between the swim-to-bike segments of the race. In some cases, triathlets leave their cycling shoes attached to their bicycle pedals and slip their feet into them while riding. Some triathletes don't wear socks, decreasing their time spent in transition even more. the second transition, T2, is between the bike-to-run segments. Some triathlons have one common transition area for both T1 and T2, while others may have two separate transition areas. The time spent in the transition areas counts toward the overall finishing time of the triathlon.
An Ironman Triathlon is one of the most challenging triathlons organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride, and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, raced in that order and without a break. Most Ironman events have a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race. Anyone who manages to complete the triathlon is granted the title of Ironman.
The original Ironman triathlon, which is now the Ironman World Championship, has been held every year in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii since 1978 and is preceded by a series of qualifying Ironman events. The Ironman World Championship has become known for its grueling length, harsh race conditions, and Emmy Award-winning television coverage.
Triathlon Jerseys Men's Competition Tanks gives racers the edge with features that help you compete longer and feel stronger while doing it. You can create a two piece racing suit with these jerseys and a pair of shorts and use the kit in all of your Triathlons. These Triathlon Jerseys are made from a soft and stretchy spandex which offers compression to your upper body and help prevent sore muscles. Our triathlon tanks feature back zippered pockets to carry essentials that you might need throughout your race. Reflective piping on the seams of the tri jersey let you be visible at night and feel safe. The seams of these jerseys are all flat locked and are soft and smooth against the skin to prevent any irritation from happening especially when you will be wet and dry throughout the race.
Tri Shorts Men's triathlon shorts are a comfortable and lightweight. We offer a couple different styles that you can wear while training or on race day. Both shorts are aerodynamically designed so you can perform at your best. Tri shorts are definitely a must whenever you have a race. Tri shorts are a necessity in any swim, bike, run event. The pad that is in the shorts is just thick enough that it will keep you comfortable on the bike but will dry very quickly after the swim. This is where bike shorts and triathlon shorts differ. Bicycle short fabric usually isn't designed to stand up to chlorine. A cycling short pad is also thicker which will not dry as quickly as our Triathlon short pads. A main part of the triathlon where racers want to save some time is during the transitions between the swim, bike, run. Since these shorts offer support on the bike, comfort while running, and ready to swim in, you will not have to worry about wasting time changing.
Tri Suits Men's tri suits are one piece swim bike run racing suits. Instead of wearing a two piece racing suit and having to worry about fitment of your Tri top and bottom, our one piece suit is made to fit, feel, and perform through your whole race. These suits have a zipper in the back with a long pull string attached for ease. They are also equipped with a thin fleece chamois pad that will dry quickly so you don't have to worry about racing in a wet suit. The fabric is chlorine resistant so you can wear it while training in the pool as well as during your race. The nylon lycra fabric is durable and stretchy but still offers compression to keep your muscles feeling great. The flat lock stitching is smooth against your skin which will prevent you from feeling uncomfortable. The leg openings have silicone grippers that will keep your Triathlon suit in place during your race so you can stay focused on winning!
