Triathlon Training Schedule

Welcome! Those of you that have resolved to get fit and do a triathlon this year have found your way here. You are in luck. We have many triathlon training schedules for the beginner below. This article will also serve as a 'where do I start' guide for new triathletes and especially people new to fitness that are just about to take the first steps towards becoming triathletes. This guide will also be especially useful for those needing to lose weight. This article may get lengthy but will serve as a complete guide to all of the necessary articles to start your triathlon training today

A Beginner's Guide to Triathlon
An FAQ on using the site and a compilation of basic advice

New Year’s Resolution: First Triathlon TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR WEIGHTLOSS Use these programs if you have weight to lose before beginning formal triathlon training. These are very conservative and low impact. Beginner Cycling Training Program Beginner Exercise Program EATING FOR WEIGHTLOSS Along with the weightloss training plans above, here are a collection of several great articles on the many ways to think and go about losing weight. The No-Brainer-Nutrition-Plan The Practical Way to Lose Fat Lean for a Lifetime: The Calories In/Calories Out Paradigm Sedentary Athletes: Sitting & Weighting How to Eat for Weightloss Exercise and Weight Control: Myths, Truths, and Gender Differences For Junk Food Junkies: Newtrition Resolutions TRIATHLON LINGO Triathlon has many words that you probably have never heard of...and just as many acronyms. Triathlon Glossary BEFORE YOU START TRAINING Medical Clearance Read this before you begin any training. Know the risks of partaking in this sport. Choosing a Triathlon Training Plan is a perfect article to help you figure out where to begin. TRIATHLON TRAINING SCHEDULES These are some great formal schedules to start your triathlon training in all three sports. Michael Pate's Total Sprint - 22 week The Original 13 Week Sprint Training Plan -->More Sprint Training Plans OLYMPIC TRIATHLON TRAINING SCHEDULES If you have current history as a runner, you may be able to jump into the Olympic training plans - my favorite distance for satisfying training vs family time. Olympic Triathlon Training Plans BEGINNER QUESTIONS AND ANSWER We have nearly 50 articles of member questions on many beginner topics. Beginner Q&A Articles STAYING INJURY FREE Staying injury free is doable if you listen to your body, don't do too much too soon and modify or stop your training if there is pain. Ouch! The Body’s Language of Pain—What it Means and What to Do About it. Understanding Injury: Knowing when to stop may help make your season a success Training Through Injuries The Biomechanics of Overuse Injuries in Endurance Athletes HEART RATE TRAINING Heart rate training is especially useful if you have problems going too fast or you want to really improve your training. Warning, this gets a little technical. Which Method is Best to Find My Training Heart Rate? Lactate Threshold Heart-Rate Zone Testing Protocol WORKOUT FUELING Workout fueling is just as important as the training to get the best out of the workout and to lose or maintain your weight. Frequently Asked Sports Nutrition Questions Engineered Sports Foods: Convenience or Necessity? Strategies to Eat Better VIDEO: Pre and Post Workout Nutrition for Workouts Less than 1 Hour TRANSITIONS Your triathlon transitions will save or waste precious minutes. Make sure you practice before the big day. Don't forget to print out our Race Day Checklist VIDEO: Triathlon Transition Setup and Execution Triathlon Transitions VIDEO: Swim-Bike Triathlon Transitions (T1) RACE DAY A few tips on properly eating before and during a race. If you are new to racing, get familiar with Rule Violations During Triathlon Racing VIDEO: USA Triathlon Rules Clinic Great video on the rules that you need to know for your triathlon VIDEO: Nutrition - Race Day Fueling VIDEO: Your No-Fail Triathlon Race Weekend Nutrition Plan Carbo-loading: Tips for Endurance Athletes

BECOMING A RUNNER There is nothing wrong with starting out in one sport first before doing all three. Here are the running programs that started the site (ironically). The Aggressive Couch to 5K (3mile) Program The Conservative Couch to 5K (3mile) Program BECOMING A SWIMMER The following programs are excellent for those just starting out in swimming to build endurance. They can also be used to supplement your Sprint triathlon swim training. Learning How to to Swim - 5 month series Beginner Swim Program Beginner Swim Workouts Priscilla's Beginner Swim Series Sprint Triathlon Swim Workouts SWIM TRAINING ESSENTIALS If you are new to the pool, especially lap swimming, it would be a wise idea to read Pool Etiquette for Lap Swimmers VIDEO: Getting Comfortable with the Water VIDEO: How to do Flip Turns Buoying Your Swim Beginner Swimmers: Common Swim Questions Are You a Swim-Phobe? I am a Fish. Perhaps I can Help How to Master the Top 5 Challenges to Breathing in Freestyle How Swimming Is Different From Running Open Water Swimming (OWS): M.A.P.S. to Get Ready STRETCHING Stretching is complicated. There have been and still are many debates on the merits of stretching. Like many things, it comes down to the individual and the right program. Do Triathletes Really Need to Stretch? VIDEO: Triathlon Stretching: Swim - Bike - Run Stretching - Bogus Necessity or Key to Success? VIDEO: Flexible Warrior Yoga VIDEO: Yoga for Triathletes GETTING GEARED-UP What training gear is necessary for a triathlon? What a triathlon beginner needs to get started: The Swim What a triathlon beginner needs to get started: The Bike What a new triathlete needs to get started: The Run Cost Effective Injury Protection: Important Gear VIDEO REVIEW: Floor Pumps Selecting The Right Bicycle Saddle The "Ten Essentials" for your Saddlebag Finding the Right Running Shoes VIDEO: A Beginner's Guide to Triathlon Wetsuits VIDEO Gear Review: SwimSafe by TriAids CHOOSING A BIKE Sooner or later you will be asking these questions. The following three articles will be indispensable. VIDEO: Triathlon Bike or Road Bike? VIDEO: Bicycle Fitting and Motion Capture Technology Getting a Good Bike Fit YOUR BIKE The bike portion is where most of your miles are. It's also where most of your equipment is for. Here are several video tutorials on maintaining your bike. VIDEO: Changing a Flat Tire - (in about one minute) VIDEO: Bicycle Brake Adjustments VIDEO: Adjusting Your Front and Rear Derailleurs VIDEO: Cleaning Your Bike Chain VIDEO: Basic Shifting, Gearing and Pedals BIKE TRAINING The following are not bike workouts but important concepts for better bike training. Get Acclimated To Go Aero Selecting the Right Aerobars for Triathlon VIDEO: Rollers for Beginners Zen Cycling VIDEO: Pedaling Technique RUN TRAINING Here are a few articles on run training concepts. The Myth of LSD From the Forum - Running Speed Work Treadmill Running: Just How Good Is It?

Have questions? There are thousands of knowledgeable people in our forums to help you out on any questions. Also visit our state forums to find people in your area for local information and training partners.