How should a beginner train for a triathlon?

If you’re not already going to the gym a few days a week, start your training with four weeks of doing some type of cardiovascular exercise two to three times a week, just to build your base. “As a beginner triathlete starts their training, I suggest doing two swims, two bikes and two runs per week,” says Ms.

How long should you train for your first triathlon?

When to begin: In general, if you are aiming to complete your first sprint triathlon, plan for at least 12 weeks of training prior to your event. If you are very healthy, physically fit, and familiar with swimming, biking and running, an 8-week build program could be sufficient.

Can a beginner do a triathlon?

Training Plans As a triathlon beginner, we recommend starting with a sprint triathlon (generally a 500-meter swim, a 20K bike, and a 5K run), but if you’re interested in longer distances you can learn more about what those entail here. Now here are some beginner triathlon training plans to get you started.

How do you get in shape for a triathlon?

Depending on your current level of fitness, you’ll likely need at least 8 –12 weeks of consistent training before a super sprint (400-meter swim, 10K bike, 2.5K run) or sprint distance triathlon (750-meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run). Each week, plan to train 4–6 hours of total exercise time over five days.

How many hours a week do triathletes train?

The truth is that most age group triathletes excel with around 9-14 hours per week of training. You can accomplish a lot with 10 hours a week if you stay focused, put everything into your intervals and cut out all the junk miles and wasted time like long bike stop groups and hanging out in the locker room to talk.

What is a respectable triathlon time?

To finish near the top of your age category, under 1.5 hours is a good ballpark time. Elite men and women typically finish under the one hour mark, although women might be a little bit higher.

How far do you run in a triathlon?

This triathlon distance requires a 2.4 mile swim (3.9K), 112 mile bike (180.2K), and 26.2 mile run (42.2K). Depending on your fitness level, course conditions, and the weather on race day, you can expect to complete these three legs in about 10 to 17 hours.

How difficult is a triathlon?

For most, the hardest part will be either the swim or the run. The swim is obviously the most challenging leg of the event if you don’t know how to swim (see below)​. The run poses problems especially if you carry more weight than you should, and have been sedentary for many years.

How often should I swim for triathlon training?

An occasional steady endurance swim is appropriate when training for longer swim races, but it should only be one time per two to three weeks when approaching your key event. In general, main sets are broken up swims: 100s to 500s for endurance, 50s to 200s for mod-hard/tempo efforts, and 25s and 50s for sprints.

Is a sprint triathlon for beginners?

Both Sprint Triathlon and Ironman are specific distances of triathlon. Because of their shorter distances, sprint triathlons have become well-known and are ideal for beginner or novice athletes.

What is the best triathlon for beginners?

Whether you want to get in shape or simply take on a new challenge in 2019, here are five of the best triathlons for beginners.

• Blenheim Palace Triathlon.
• Castle Howard Triathlon.
• The Slateman.
• IRONMAN Austria-Kärnten.
• Novice Triathlons in Shetland.

Can you train for a triathlon in 4 weeks?

Sprint Training Plan: The Program This sprint training plan begins six weeks prior to your first sprint triathlon. Before starting, you should be generally aerobically fit and able to swim, bike and run. Weeks 4 and 5 continue to focus on race-pace fitness, and will give you practice running off the bike.

Why is the swim first in a triathlon?

The idea behind swimming first is that the open water poses the greatest threat to an exhausted athlete. If the swimming portion were last, then it would increase the chance of a racer cramping up or collapsing with exhaustion in the water and possibly drowning.

Is a triathlon the same as an Ironman?

All Ironman races are triathlons, but not all triathlons are Ironman races. A Triathlon refers to a race that consists of three disciplines completed back to back; swimming, cycling and running. There are other triathlons that cover the same distances, but these are simply called ‘Iron-distance races’.

Can you do a sprint triathlon without training?

Racing a triathlon without training properly is a magnificent way to ensure you hate the day and the sport. Doing the bare minimum is better than not training at all, but this generally means you will just spend the day hanging on for dear life.