I know a lot of my readers are runners (yes, you are a runner if you run – it doesn’t matter how far or fast) and you know I love running! It’s an easy sport to get started in, pretty inexpensive to participate in, and you can take it with you when you travel. :)
But you also know that I don’t stop there. I also love multisport events – like triathlon and duathlon races! Have you ever thought about trying a triathlon?
Picture from my first triathlon in 2005!
You’ve probably heard that cross-training is a great way to help prevent injuries and can even strengthen your muscles in your primary sport. Biking is GREAT cross-training for running! Swimming is a great way to add variety without any impact – and in the summer it can be very refreshing. :)
And if you’ve been really focused on running through the winter, you might just be ready for something different – something to add variety to your workouts and keep you inspired.
Triathlon might be just the thing you’re looking for!
If you’ve already been running this year, you’ve already got one of the sports under control.
Running Basics
- Running Shoes – A good pair of running shoes that are fit correctly for your feet. Spend some time at a running specialty store to get this crucial piece of running equipment.
What equipment do you need to get started in swimming and biking?
Swimming Basics
- Swimsuit – you could swim in a bikini, but it’s not going to be quite as comfy. It might also turn a few heads when you swim laps. :) Pick up a plain one-piece suit at Target (or similar) or an online swimming store. I have had good luck with uglies at swimoutlet.com.
- Goggles – This is another thing you can pick up at Target or an online store. I use Aqua Sphere Kaiman, but goggles can be personal, so just give one a try.
Biking Basics
- Bike – any bike will do. If you’re just thinking about your first triathlon, there’s no reason to go out and buy a fancy bike. Have one collecting dust in the garage? Pull it out and put it to use. Have a friend with a bike collecting dust? Borrow theirs. If absolutely no one owns a bike you can use, look for a used bike on Craig’s List or eBay or a local garage sale.
- Helmet – Please DO NOT ride your bike without a helmet. You can get one at Walmart, Target, or a bike store – it can save your life and it’s irresponsible to ride without one. Get a helmet!
- Shoes – If you’re on an old or borrowed bike, you probably can just use running shoes to ride your bike. If the bike has clips on them, you can swap them out or you’ll need a pair of cycling shoes (is you have a pair from spin class, those will work!). You will need to get cleats that screw into the bottom of your shoes that match your pedals. You can bring your bike to a bike store for help in finding the right ones.
- Padded Bike Shorts – You can technically go without this one, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It will make you more comfortable to get a pair of padded bike shorts – check out the sale racks for inexpensive options.
- Bike Pump – Unless you live near someone’s you can borrow, you should probably get a bike pump. I pump my tires every 2-3 rides, depending on the frequency and the distance.
On my mountain bike at my first triathlon (2005)
So that’s it! For my first two triathlons, I rode an older mountain bike (knobby tires and all) with regular pedals and my running shoes. After that first year, I decided I really liked the sport and we upgraded to a road bike. Bikes aren’t cheap, so save that investment until you know you’re going to have it (and use it) for a while!
So what do you think – are you up for the challenge? Let this be the year that you try a tri!!
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Questions for you:
- Have you done a triathlon? What was your favorite (or least favorite) thing about your first race?
- Have you thought about doing a triathlon? What’s held you back?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I did one sprint triathlon last summer and LOVED it! I needed to change up my usual running workout routine and the tri was the perfect thing. I grew to love swimming (after I learned how to swim competitively). Biking I still don’t love, but I definitely don’t hate it. I love how the sport incorporates three sports and even the short distance that I competed in was super challenging!!
My preference is always for the bike over the swim, but it’s that awesome swimming background that helps you! Triathlons & Duathlon have to be some of the longest events that are called a “sprint”. :) Will you do another?
I do want to do another! Haven’t got anything in mind right now though
I never learned to ride a bike, and though I can swim, I’ve never been all that good at it. haha – I guess training for a tri would be a LOT of work for me!
Swimming will never be my strength, but you should have seen me when I started! I think Kirk lovingly called me a “flailer”. Anyone can get better though – I promise! :)
But the bike thing might be harder for you – you never learned to ride a bike? I think you need to add that to your to-do list – it’s fun! :)
Great post and totally true! I did my first and second tri last year on a 30-year-old Raleigh road bike I bought at a police auction for $80 (not including the $150 I put into it to recondition it – still much cheaper than buying new). I swam in a one-piece Speedo, pulled bike shorts on over.
This year I’m upgrading to a tri suit, but I still have the Raleigh and still DON’T have bike shoes and clips (next year, I hope). I’m not the fastest tri-er, but I have fun!
Oh, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and that type of store is also a good place to get high quality swimsuits on the cheap. I’ve purchased Speedos for as little as $17.
Awesome!! And even without fancy gear, it sounds like you still got hooked! :) It’s not about being the fastest (especially at first), it’s about enjoying it and getting better!
Great suggestion on Marshall’s/TJ Max. Although I’m not patient enough for those stores – too much stuff!
We’ve had this conversation, but I’d love to do a tri if it weren’t for the swimming. I think I want to look into the tri where the water portion is kayaking or canoeing.
Or a duathlon! Run-Bike-Run is still lots of fun. :) I’ll have to post about that in the future too.
I’ve never considered a triathlon–but that’s because I really don’t like swimming/being in water. I think I’m part cat, haha. I would love to try biking–especially now that I live too far from a grocery store to walk but definitely close enough to bike! I’d definitely start with something cheap and used (Craigslist ahoy!) to make sure I liked it, as I haven’t been the biggest fan in the past. Maybe I’ll have to redefine a triathlon to slow jog-walking, biking, and lifting weights :)
You need to try a duathlon then (I’ll write a post on that too!) – run/bike/run is for those of us who don’t love swimming. So once you get that bike to help with errands, you can train for a duathlon too! :)
Great post! I made the transition from running to triathlon in 2007 after completing a marathon in 2006. I liked endurance training, but it was just so much running! I was already using swimming and some biking as cross-training, and a friend told me once you try all three in a row, you’ll never look back, and he was right!
Great advice, I’ve got a couple of caveats/comments
1.) Helmets aren’t just ‘responsible’, they’re mandatory in any organized race. You can’t even take your bike off the rack until your helmet strap is done up, or you risk disqualification.
2.) Please don’t make a half or full Ironman your first triathlon. There are sprints and try-a-tris for getting used to the format and at that distance, no, it doesn’t matter what kind of bike you have. I’ve seen a few people now who seem to want to cross an Ironman off their bucket list or whatever, but don’t seem to realize the benefits of starting small and building your way up.
Great points!! And great info about the helmet rule – a lot people don’t realize that also applies if you ride your bike to & from the race. And I agree 300% about not making your first tri a half or full. There’s no rush and you’re just asking for trouble!
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never done a triathlon, though I’ve thought about it. Truth is the swimming portion terrifies me, something about open water & a ton of people going in at the same time is a little scary haha
I totally get the open water swim fear – I had to work to get over that myself and I didn’t think it would be a problem. I was able to overcome it with some practice – but there’s always duathlons! :)