Multisport 101
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What is Multi Sport?
Multi Sport refers to athletes training for a wide range of endurance sports, from rowing to cycling road racing to ultra-running. Also those athletes training for a multi-disciplinary sport like triathlon or duathlon.
What is Triathlon and Duathlon?
Triathlon and duathlon are multi-discpline endurance sports, the prior involving swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession and the latter involving running and cycling. Distances vary depending on the course you choose (see below). In triathlon, your race against the clock starts with the swim, continues with the cycle ride and ends when you complete the run. Duathlon races are sequenced as run, bike, run and have similar variations on distance.
Triathlon Distances
The Swim
This takes place in a swimming pool or open water such as a lake or the sea. If you swim in open water you’ll need a wetsuit. Every year more lakes open, allowing you to develop your open water technique.
Start times for open water swims are staggered. You will be given a start time based on your predicted swim time or age. Pool races normally have individual start times, also based on your predicted swim time.
You can swim front crawl and/or breast stroke in a triathlon. However you swim, as a member of Tribal MSP Online, you will get all the help, advice, tips and support you need to unleash your full potential.
The Bike Ride
Triathlon bike routes are usually signposted, with
marshals in place to offer assistance. We do, however, advise you to
check all competitor information before
the race.
Have your bike serviced and ensure it is fully roadworthy before the event. If you’re a nervous cyclist, practice riding on quiet roads to build confidence. When you register with Tribal MSP Online, you’ll find advice on cycling drills and techniques that will help give you that competitive edge.
Helmets are compulsory for all races; cycling safety is of paramount importance.
The Run
The transition from bike ride to running can feel strange at first. Don’t
panic; it gets easier as you run.
Conditioning your body to running and increasing your distances gradually are vital to your healthy development as a runner. Every year, 85% of runners get injured, mainly because they take on too much, too soon.
Through your membership of Tribal MSP Online, we’ll help you develop a healthy, sustainable approach to running through perception, strength building and technique.
The Transition
This is where you store all your swim-to-bike and bike-to-run kit during the race. You’ll need to rack your bike and lay out your kit before the race starts. You must put your helmet on before you move your bike
- and keep it on until it’s racked again.
You’ll have a race number to wear on the bike and run and, sometimes, a timing chip to time you from start to finish.
Training for Triathlon?
Training for multi-discipline events can become a confusing juggle when compared to training for a single discipline event. Without the correct guidance the perceived training load can become quite overwhelming.
If you are healthy and active, you can train to complete a short course triathlon within 12 weeks. For longer races, we advise planning a year ahead and building your training programme gradually as you approach the event.
If you’re an inactive beginner, consider lifestyle interventions that will benefit your health, and then introduce training consistently and slowly. Short course triathlons, which have low barriers to entry, will motivate you and give you something to aim for.
As a member of Tribal MSP Online, you’ll soon identify where you can best improve. From here, we’ll help you achieve your goals through great training and recovery.
For a free sample of what to expect, just enter your name and email address into the boxes on the right of this page. We’ll then send you four daily bulletins and video clips.