Triathlon Training
Triathlon lengths range from the sprint distance to the ultra-distance. Sprint distance triathlons comprise any triathlon with a length under the international distance. The international distance, more frequently known as the Olympic distance, entails a 1500-metre (9 mile) swim, 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) of cycling, and 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) of running. Like sports that contain only one of these events, triathlon training is optimised when the training programme is periodised. The individual needs to bear in mind that balancing training for all three events makes triathlon programme design more problematical than the plan for single-activity sports. Nevertheless, the periodisation of training is vital for maximising performance and the gratification of the sport. For numerous amateur athletes, training programmes entail an annual plan that is typically developed at the conclusion of a previous competitive or training year.
The yearly plan is separated into training periods, or macro-cycles (which can be as long as 3 months). A meso-cycle is a smaller period in the interior of the macro-cycle. For triathlon preparation, each meso-cycle ought to have a principal focus on refining aerobic endurance, strength endurance, or power endurance and can be discipline-specific. Micro-cycles (smaller training segments within the meso-cycle) usually last for a 7- to 10- day period. For every micro-cycle design, a volume and volume of intensity (VOI) are explicit for each discipline within each training session.
For cycling, this would take into account the intervals upon which the athlete will repeat hills or hold a particular wattage or tempo. For running, this may consist of intervals that contain distances and time at the track, scheduled intervals on a hill, or exact rhythm turnover rates. Some of the running sessions make use of a Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale from 6 to 20, where a 6 would be an easy exertion and a 20 the greatest effort. The VOI can be handled in work-to-rest quotients in order to target precise energy systems in the aerobic and anaerobic development of each distinct athlete.
Each training phase embraces a main focus. For base phases, the primary emphasis is on aerobic endurance. Build periods place an importance on race-specific stresses that may include anaerobic endurance or any abilities that need to be addressed during training.
Pre-competition periods include fine-tuning and permits the athlete to uphold intensity while decreasing volume; these phases close with a race taper intended to help the athlete attain a peak performance in the race. Athletes who are preparing for their first event may not be training to realise their highest level of performance; however, finishing the competition within a certain time or simply covering the distance still necessitates the body to be rested and ready on race day. For reference, the average triathlon participant can complete these races in around 2.5 to 3 hours while triathletes at the professional elite level generally complete the distances in just under 2 hours.
Download a PDF Mesocycle here Mesocycle-1.pdf
