I have my very first triathlon coming next week on sunday. It is a 750m swim, 38km bike and 10,5km run. So an Olympic distance but with a sprint-swim. It is called the City Triathlon of Leuven. Wish me luck ;-)
As a student in the late 80s, triathlons of varying distances seemed to attract far more weekend warriors than now. It was before the days of extreme bicycle tech - most of us just used our steel frame “racing” bikes (student commuter bikes, lol). I think the high bike overheads became a deterrent to those who couldn’t afford it.
I’ve done an “adventure” triathlon, it was a kayak (or canoe for a team of two), a mountain bike trail ride and a trail run. Have also done plenty of Olympic distance and sprint distance. Lately I’m doing the swim bike options that are available as my knees don’t let me run any longer, but I’m glad I can still participate. I also love being part of relay teams!
A triathlon I did a couple of years ago has announced that this year they're doing a reverse Olympic triathlon. 10 km run, 40 km ride, 1500 m swim, in that order. Seems kinda crazy to me, but an interesting way to add variety compared to the more popular events.
I've done a few sprint tris, this year hoping for Olympic distances (but not in an event, just distances by myself). Running is a challenge but the other two are a breeze! Love your channel!
Great summary. Thanks. I’m working towards a 70.3 in 2025. I’ve decided to do some sprint/Olympic this year and also split (kind of) the 70.3 into 3 races and complete them this year: 5k open water swim, Century ride and 1/2 marathon.
My first Triathlon was a 400m swim, 18.5km bike and a 4km run. I always love the "everyone" triathlons as we call them since they tend to have rather "difficult" (as in lots of elevation gain and/or lots of extremely technical all the way to rather dangerous roads on the bike) bike and/or run parts over the short distances. That being said for me it's Olympic for this year as the main focus :x
EHHH I disagree. The swim is by far the thing that puts the most people off doing a triathlon. Extending the distance will put off an even greater percentage of potential newcomers
Tom Pelton is correct. The swim is where most people make or break their race. Human body wasn’t designed to be horizontal while exercising. If you have poor swim technique you’ll burn up significantly more calories than needed, depleat sodium and electrolyte stores, etc…. That puts you in a bad place to start the bike. Swimming isn’t about muscling thru the water it’s about technique, feeeel the water in your forearm, and being as hydrodynamic as possible. The goal is to keep the HR down, and make sure you’re using the lats and not the shoulders, plus all the other bits.
@@TPelton22biking 180k is an incredible feat. Running a marathon is a Huge acomplishment. Swimming a 3.8k is less than half of what swimmers do on a daily basis. The distances should be daunting. Should be 2.5 for the half and 5k for the full.
I suppose I count as tri-curious. I have done one and enjoy the videos. I will do another this year. The same event as my first attempt. It is a sprint-ish format. The bike and run lengths match the sprint distances, but the swim is shorter at 400m as it is indoors. You swim up and down a lane, duck under the floats and then repeat until you have done all 8 lanes, hence 400m for a 25m pool. I am an indifferent swimmer at best, so it suits me fine. I would love a canoe leg instead of a swim! I am not that good in a kayak either, but considerably better than as a swimmer. I can swim a long way, just not very fast.
Good tip. I had looked at kayak based ones a few years ago and struggled to find an event. The SUP option seems more popular. I shall investigate further. Cheers.
Doing my first Duathlon next week with the aim been probably either a sprint or Olympic distance tri later in the summer. Unsure of the swim so hence why I haven’t decided on a tri distance just yet
Sorry but don’t disrespect the super sprint distance - There WAS a world championship Elites in Hamburg and Age group in pontevedra in 2023 - many elites have said how hard the distance actually is because it’s a totally flat out race.
Done a couple sprints, trying to work up to my first Olympic distance but will likely stay there. I dont really have the desire or dedication to attempt something longer than that.
Before the Sprint distance there were the 1/10th of an Iron Man (distance) and were often referred to as a Tin Man (distance) in the 80s and 90s. (and yes it were my first triathlon)
I would have bet money that it started at the shorter distances then someone went “bet I could go farther” and the Iron distance would be one of the latter distances established. Thanks for the insight!
And also don't forget the WTO Long distance, when they are not piggybacking on a iron distance event. The Relay will merit its own episode on the channel?
Triathletes, We make exercising three times harder than it has to be. LOL. I have 2 duathlons in spring and two Olympic distance planned for this summer. I will also volunteer at another. I found three Olympic distance in summer too much for me.
After completing all the distances, I think that Half of the Full Iron distance is the most comfortable distance for health. Half is not as exhausting as Full, and you don’t have to die as much in the high heart rate zone as Olympic or Sprint )) I think Sprint is most dangerous distance for your heart ) P.s. I'm 55-59 AG ))) I did 6 Sprints, 1 Olympic, 3 Half, 1 Full within 20 months
Stating that the shorter and shorter distances are beginner events is like saying the 200 m run is a beginner event compared to a marathon. People can specialize at shorter distances if that's what their physiology dictates.
One thing they all have in common; THEY ARE ALL MAD. When I was swimming as a child I had to get back home on a bike. Got sore spots from it. But somebody thought: "Oh, lovely, let's create a sport, were this is always the case." Don't get me wrong, I like running and swimming and cycling, but one at a time. But, I guess, it takes all sorts...
