What is a Triathlon?

A triathlon is an endurance event made up of three disciplines completed one after another: swimming, cycling and running. The clock keeps running throughout the entire race, including the time you spend changing from one discipline to the next in transition.

The first part is the swim. Depending on the event, this may take place in a swimming pool, lake, river or the sea. After the swim, you enter Transition 1 (swim to bike), or T1, where you remove your swim equipment, put on your cycling kit and collect your bike.

The second discipline is the bike. Once you complete the cycling section, you return to the transition area for Transition 2 (bike to run), or T2, rack your bike, change into your running shoes and begin the final part of the race.

The last discipline is the run, which takes you to the finish line.

Triathlons come in several common distances. The exact numbers can vary slightly from race to race, but these are the standards you will see most often.

• ✓Super Sprint: ~400m swim, ~10km bike, ~2.5km run. A great introduction for complete beginners.
• ✓Sprint: ~750m swim, ~20km bike, ~5km run. One of the most popular distances for first-time triathletes.
• ✓Olympic / Standard: 1,500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run. Requires more endurance and a greater training commitment.
• ✓Half Distance: ~1.9km swim, ~90km bike, ~21.1km run. Also known as 70.3.
• ✓Full Distance: ~3.8km swim, ~180km bike, ~42.2km run. Also known as 140.6 or Ironman distance.

Not every race uses exactly the same distances. Local events may adjust courses to suit the venue, so always read the race information carefully before entering.

For me, triathlon is about much more than racing. I enjoy the challenge of combining three different sports and the fact that every distance gives you a different experience. A Sprint feels very different from an Olympic-distance race, and both are completely different again from a long-distance event.

Triathlon takes me to places I would probably never have visited otherwise. Races give you a reason to travel, explore new areas and meet people with the same interest. There is a great feeling of achievement in standing on a start line knowing you have trained for something that once seemed difficult or even impossible.

Then there are the fitness benefits. Regular swimming, cycling and running have made a huge difference to my own health and fitness. My blood pressure has been compared with that of someone much younger, and my resting heart rate has even surprised my doctor. Everyone is different, of course, but for me triathlon has been a great reason to stay active and keep setting new goals.

One of the best things about triathlon is that you do not need to be fast, and you do not need expensive equipment to take part.

Yes, it is possible to spend thousands on triathlon equipment. You will see expensive bikes, aero helmets and specialist tri-suits at races.

But none of that is necessary when you are starting out, and chucking money at tech at the start probably won't actually make you much faster.

For your first triathlon, you really only need a few basic items:

• ✓Goggles
• ✓Swimsuit or suitable swim clothing for a pool swim
• ✓A safe, working bike
• ✓Bike helmet
• ✓Running shoes
• ✓Comfortable sports clothing such as shorts, shirt, socks and sports bra if required

The best equipment when you start is simply the equipment you already own and feel comfortable using. You can always upgrade later. First, find out whether you enjoy the sport.

Triathlon should be about the challenge, the experience and what you achieve, not how much money you spent getting to the start line.