Swim Sports Wave

Home > Water Sports > Swim Sports Wave

May 31st, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Triathlon - The Specialization of Swimming, Cycling and Running in Triathlon

Each of the elements of triathlon is a little different from if those sports were encountered alone. While amateur triathletes who also compete in individual swimming, cycling or running races generally apply the same techniques and philosophy to triathlon, seasoned triathletes and professionals have specialised techniques for each discipline that improve their race as a whole.

Swimming

Triathletes will use their legs less vigorously and more carefully than other swimmers, husbanding their energy 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. In addition, the majority of triathlons involve open-water (outdoor) swim stages, rather than pools with lane markers. As a result, triathletes in the swim stage must jockey for position, and can gain some advantage by drafting, following a competitor closely to gain an advantage by swimming in their slipstream.

Triathletes will often use "dolphin kicking" and diving to make headway outward against waves and Body Surfing to use a wave's energy for a bit of speed at the end of the swim stage. Also, open-water swims necessitate "sighting", raising the head to look for landmarks or buoys which mark the course. A modified stroke allows the triathletes to lift the head above water to sight without interrupting the swim or wasting energy.

Because open Water Swim areas are often cold, specialised triathlon wetsuits have been developed. In addition to warmth, wetsuits add buoyancy and smoothness, both of which increase swimming speed. Wetsuits are only legal in sanctioned events with a water temperature below 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Some events allow wetsuits regardless of water temperature, and sometimes they are required.

Cycling

Triathlon cycling, with the exception of Olympic triathlon and ITU World Cup races, is very different from most professional bicycle racing because it does not allow drafting, and so racers do not cluster in a peloton. It more closely resembles time trial racing.

Triathlon bicycles are generally optimised for aerodynamics, having special handlebars called "aero-bars" or "tri-bars", aerodynamic wheels or other components. Triathlon bikes use a specialised geometry including a steep seat-tube angle both to improve aerodynamics and spare muscle groups needed for running. Triathletes also often cycle with a high "cadence" (pedalling speed), which serves in part to keep the muscles loose and flexible for running.

Running

The primary distinguishing feature of running in a triathlon is that it 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 very profound; first-time triathletes are often astonished at the bizarre 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 or "bricks": back-to-back workouts involving two disciplines, most commonly cycling and running.

About the Author

Edward Smith has over 5 years writing experience on the web. Visit his latest male grooming website that discusses products such as the nasal hair trimmer and nose hair remover.