Confused by triathlon jargon? Discover the 37 essential triathlon terms every athlete must know to enhance your training, gear up properly, and excel on race day.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what a “brick” workout is or found yourself in a conversation with triathletes who seem to be speaking a different language, using terms like “FTP,” “dialed in,” or “lactate threshold”? Whether you’re new to triathlon or a seasoned athlete, understanding the jargon is crucial for effective training and racing.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify the top 37 training, racing, and equipment terms that every triathlete must know. Some of these may even surprise the most experienced athletes!
Chapter 1: Essential Training Terms
Let’s kick off with some essential terms you’ll come across in your training.
1. Brick Workout
A brick workout involves completing a bike ride immediately followed by a run. This session is essential for getting used to the “jelly-leg” feeling when transitioning between these two sports.
2. Open Water Swim (OWS)
An Open Water Swim involves swimming in rivers, lakes, or oceans, as opposed to a pool. It’s a different beast altogether, with water currents, varying temperatures, and environmental factors like sun glare making swimming more challenging than indoors.
3. Sighting
Sighting is a crucial skill in open water swimming. It involves glancing forward during your swim stroke to see where you’re going, helping you stay on course and saving you time and energy by swimming the most direct route.
4. Bilateral Breathing
If you breathe every three or five strokes while swimming, you’re practicing bilateral breathing. This method is generally more efficient, but it’s advisable to consult a swimming coach for personalized advice.
5. Negative Split
A negative split is a strategic approach where you start a session or race slower and aim to get faster as it progresses. It’s a challenging method to execute, as even advanced athletes can get carried away in the opening stages.
6. Fartlek
Fartlek is a Swedish term meaning “speed play.” This training session involves varying your speed at irregular intervals. For example, you might run fast for two lamp posts and then jog for the next two. It’s a fun and flexible way to add intensity to your workouts.
Chapter 2: Essential Equipment Terms
Triathlon requires a fair amount of gear. Let’s break down some common equipment terms.
7. Tri Suit
A tri suit is a specialized piece of clothing that athletes wear to seamlessly switch between the three sports without changing clothes. Unless you’re competing in extreme temperatures, this is likely the only piece of clothing you’ll need during a race.
8. Aero Helmet
An aero helmet is designed to reduce air resistance, helping you go faster on the bike. Just make sure it meets the safety requirements for your event.
9. Aero Bars
Aero bars are handlebar extensions that allow you to adopt a more aerodynamic position on the bike. Before trying them, it’s highly recommended to consult a bike fitter, as some athletes may find the position challenging.
10. Dialed In
Being “dialed in” refers to having a well-optimized bike fit. Many cyclists use this term to describe a position that is both comfortable and efficient.
11. Tri Shoes
Tri shoes are specialized cycling shoes designed for quick transitions. They are easier to get on and off, reducing your transition times and minimizing the chances of getting dizzy or disoriented while changing shoes.
12. Elastic Laces
Elastic laces are an inexpensive and effective way to save time during transitions. They eliminate the need to tie your shoelaces, shaving precious seconds off your overall time.
13. Transition Bag
A transition bag is designed to carry all your race-day essentials, including your wetsuit, running shoes, and helmet. It often features multiple pockets to help you stay organized.
If you’re finding these terms useful so far, please share this article with fellow triathletes—it genuinely helps others grow their knowledge, much like your understanding will with these training and performance terms.
Chapter 3: Training and Performance Terms
Now let’s delve into terms that help measure and improve performance.
14. Split Times
Split times refer to the times for individual segments of your race (swim, bike, run) or intervals in training. Monitoring your split times can show how well you paced your session and help identify areas for improvement.
15. The Wall / Bonk
Hitting “the wall,” also known as “bonking,” occurs when your body runs low on fuel during training or racing. Proper fueling and pacing can help you manage this, provided you spot the signs early enough.
16. Taper Phase
The taper phase is the period before your main race when you ease back on training to give your body the rest it requires. Think of it as entering energy-saving mode before the big day.
17. Personal Record (PR)
A Personal Record (PR), or Personal Best (PB), is your best performance time in a specific event or distance. While setting a new PR is always exciting, it’s unlikely to happen every week, especially for seasoned athletes.
18. Training Stress Score (TSS)
On platforms like TrainingPeaks, each session is assigned a Training Stress Score (TSS), indicating how strenuous the session was or is expected to be.
19. Performance Management Chart (PMC)
The Performance Management Chart is a tool that coaches use to track how your body is adapting to the stress of training. It provides a visual representation of your form, fitness, and fatigue over time.
20. Form, Fitness, and Fatigue
These are key metrics displayed on the PMC chart. Increased training raises your fatigue and fitness levels but may lower your form, impacting your ability to perform. Your form improves after a period of lighter training, known as tapering.
21. Functional Threshold Power (FTP)
FTP is a measure of your cycling fitness. It’s calculated from a 20-minute all-out effort and requires a power meter to measure the watts you produce and a heart rate monitor.
22. Power Meter
A power meter measures the number of watts you produce while cycling, providing real-time feedback on your performance.
23. Heart Rate Monitor
A heart rate monitor measures your heart rate in beats per minute (BPM), helping you gauge effort levels across different training zones.
24. Threshold Running Test
Similar to the FTP test for cycling, the threshold running test involves a 30-minute all-out run to determine your running fitness level based on heart rate and pace.
25. Critical Swim Speed (CSS)
The Critical Swim Speed test determines your current swimming pace by having you swim a 400m and a 200m time trial in the same session. These times are used to calculate your training zones.
26. Training Zones
Training zones relate to the intensity levels of your sessions. Zone 1 is very low intensity, like walking or light cycling, while Zone 5 is an all-out sprint. Endurance athletes typically spend most of their training in Zone 2.
27. Coach Support and Training Plans
Having a structured training plan and access to coach support can significantly boost your performance. Platforms like TrainingPeaks offer various plans to suit different needs and goals.
Chapter 4: Race Day Terms
Understanding race day terminology can help you navigate the event more smoothly.
28. Transition
Transitions are critical phases in a triathlon where you switch from one sport to another. T1 is the transition from swim to bike, and T2 is from bike to run. Time can be lost or gained here, so practice is essential.
29. Age Groups
Age groups are categories, often broken into five-year increments, that allow you to compete against athletes in your age bracket. Keep an eye on competitors in your category!
30. Race Number
Your race number must be displayed on your back during the bike segment and on your front during the run. Using a number belt makes this switch quick and easy.
31. Wave Start
Many events use a wave start for the swim, allowing athletes to begin in smaller groups to enhance safety. Be sure to read the race briefing to understand the start format.
32. Did Not Finish (DNF) / Did Not Start (DNS)
These are terms no athlete wants next to their name. A DNF means you did not finish the race, and a DNS indicates you did not start. Knowing these terms can help you avoid common pitfalls.
33. Cut-Off Time
The cut-off time is the maximum time allowed to complete the course. Failing to meet it often results in a DNF.
34. Drafting
Drafting is when a rider saves energy by riding in the slipstream of another cyclist. In many triathlons, drafting is illegal and can result in time penalties or disqualification. Always leave plenty of space between you and the rider ahead.
35. Finish Area
The finish area is where you complete the race and celebrate your achievement. Despite any fatigue, there’s usually a medal to collect and post-event refreshments to enjoy.
36. “Never Again” Syndrome
Despite muttering “never again” after a grueling race, many athletes find themselves signing up for the next event soon after. It’s all part of the triathlon experience!
Conclusion
This brings us to the finish line. We’ve covered 37 essential triathlon terms, from training basics and gear to the nuances of race day. Understanding these terms will not only make you feel more confident but also enhance your overall triathlon experience.
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Don’t forget to leave a comment below with any triathlon terms you think we missed. Share this article with fellow triathletes, and stay tuned for more tips and guides!
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