Getting Started – tips and tools

The fastest way to get started in triathlon is to join in with your local Club. provide coaching and training sessions along with lots of advice about getting started in triathlon.

Swimming Essentials:

  • Goggles, chlorine resistant bathers (they last longer!), swim cap

Desirables:

  • Flippers, kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, wetsuit, race suit
Cycling Essentials:

  • A bike (preferably a road bike) helmet,
  • Tyre repair kit  – spare tube,levers (in case of the dreaded flat tyre!),
  • water bottle holder and bottle,
  • mobile phone
  • Sunscreen

Desirables:

  • Carbon fibre bike,
  • comfy bike pants with padding,
  • cycle jersey with pockets,
  • clip in pedals,
  • cycling shoes
Running Essentials:

  • Good quality pair of running shoes that suit your foot stride (flat, over-pronating etc),
  • comfortable running clothing,
  • cap to seek the sun away
  • Sunscreen

Desirables:

  • Heart rate monitor and watch with gps

 

 

 

Race Tips

Swim Start Most triathlons involve a mass start or swim starts where you compete with althetse of your same age group. Please be aware that it can feel like a washingmachine if you get caught up in the middle! If you are a weak swimmer, position yourself towards the back of the pack. If you are a strong and confident swimmer position yourself toward the front!
Wetsuits For the genral age grouper, if the water temperature is less than 24 degrees, you are allowed to wear a wetsuit. Please refer to TA ruling on wetsuits for further information. This can often bring a weaker swimmer much peace of mind as it increases buoyancy. It can also aid performance by significant amounts due to buoyancy and in cold water it makes thing much more comfortable! Please note that external environmental conditions (heat, cold, stingers, distance) may impact on whether an event allows wetsuits or if they are deemed compulsary.
Drafting Drafting is considered cheating in the sport of triathlon with the 7m rule being standard practice. Refer to the TA rules for more information about drafting. Please note in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races, the drafting zone is 12m.
No Jelly Legs Running straight after cycling is a strange sensation often likened to ‘jelly legs’. To ensure your legs can cope with this feeling, try a short 5-10 minute run after one of your cycles. It’s better to conquer the pain in training, than to shock the system on race day!
Transition A lot of time can be wasted in transition, so make sure you practise a speedy one! Onlyconduct the bare essentials in the transition zone. Do you really need socks in a 5km or less run? Try elastic laces in your sneakers which are much quicker to put on than tying up regular laces. Don’t forget you need to put your helmet on BEFORE unracking your bike and then keep it on until you have hung your bike on the racks at the completion of your cycle.
Enjoy Yourself! Completing a triathlon is a fabulous achievement, so celebrate it. Pump your fists over the finish line, high five your wife/husband/best friend in the finishing chute and make sure you smile for the finisher’s photo!