How long does it take to train for triathlon?

Most people can go from fit to triathlete in six short weeks. If you are starting from couch potato, you’ll need to spend a few months building your fitness — three days a week of running, swimming or cycling — before starting your six-week triathlon training plan.

When should you start training for a 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.

How many days a week should I train for a triathlon?

Join Triathlete For intermediate and advanced athletes, running five or six times per week can provide increased speed. A rule of thumb is three times per week to maintain performance and four to five to get faster. But more important than frequency and volume is intensity.

How do triathletes recover?

Triathlon recovery is an absolute truth in every athlete’s training program, and most multi-sport competitors are keenly aware of this. However, many triathletes only consider the most obvious recovery methods: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

How do beginners train for a triathlon?

Work out how many minutes each day you can train. For those with limited time combine the workouts: e.g. run to the pool, do a spin class followed by a run etc. In block one, the focus is on consistent movement and enjoyment. One session ‘easy’ and two sessions ‘steady’ in all three disciplines.

Is training for a triathlon healthy?

Although it remains true that people who exercise are generally healthier than those who don’t, a study published this month in Mayo Clinic Proceedings and a study presented last week to the American College of Sports Medicine find excessive training for ultramarathons, Olympic-length triathlons and other endurance

Can I 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.

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.

Can you train for a triathlon in 6 weeks?

The Beginner’s Triathlon Training Plan. Six weeks to a successful swim, bike, run. You really only need about 6 weeks to train for your first triathlon. This beginner plan challenges you mentally and physically while getting you race ready on just four workouts a week.

How many hours a day 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.

Can you backstroke in a triathlon?

Triathlons allow swimmers to utilize any stroke and as many different strokes as preferred to propel themselves through the water. Not only can the competitive strokes be used but others as well, e.g. sidestroke, elementary backstroke, trudgen crawl even treading water.

Do triathletes weight train?

Scheduling Your Triathlon Strength Workouts Pencil in a recovery week, every four weeks, where you either cut the weight session to one effort or reduce the number of sets. The growth of sport science means triathletes of all levels and experience partake in weight training. It’s time you did the same.

How many days rest after Olympic triathlon?

Recovery From An Olympic Distance Triathlon Typical Recovery Time: 10 to 14 days. After your race take 48-72 hours off to allow for full recovery. Then train in Zone 2 only (Easy or Steady) for up to two weeks. Include further recovery days if you need to during this period.

How many days rest before Olympic triathlon?

A successful strategy is to take off two days before the race to rest. Complete your final workout the day before the race. In that workout, if it is possible to swim on the race course, try to get into the water at the same time your swim wave will go off on race day.