Things You'll Need:
- Aerobic/fitness Shoes
- Cleated Bicycle Shoes
- Padded Bicycle Shorts
- Running Shoes
- Swimming Trunks
- Triathlon Clothing
- Bicycle Helmets
- Biking Shoes
- Sports Drinks
- Children's Bicycles
- Sports drinks
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Step 1
Know that a sprint distance triathlon is a 0.75-kilometer (K) swim (about 0.45 miles), a 22K bike ride (13.2 miles) and a 5K run (3.1 miles).
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Step 2
Consider the sprint distance if you're a beginner, have a limited training schedule, or specialize in short races where endurance doesn't come into play.
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Step 3
Understand that an Olympic triathlon employs the distance used at the Olympic Games: a 1.5K swim (about 0.9 miles), a 40K bike ride (24 miles) and a 10K run (6.2 miles).
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Step 4
Consider the Olympic distance if you're willing to push your endurance past the 2- to 3-hour mark, or if you're new to the sport and are up for the challenge.
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Step 5
Keep in mind that you'll need about 10 to 15 hours of training each week to master the Olympic distance.
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Step 6
Know that a half-Ironman event is a 1.2-mile swim (about 1.9K), a 56-mile bike ride (89.6K) and a 13.1-mile run (21K).
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Step 7
Note that half-Ironman events are for more serious triathletes with at least one year of racing experience in either the sprint or Olympic distance events.
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Step 8
Understand that athletes should commit 15 to 20 hours of training each week for half-Ironmans, which are often used as qualifiers for Ironman distance events.
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Step 9
Know that an Ironman event is a 2.4-mile swim (about 3.8K), a 112-mile bike ride (179.2K) and a 26.2-mile run (42K or a marathon).
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Step 10
Keep in mind that Ironman training requires about 20 to 30 hours each week; ideally, participants should have several half-Ironman distance events under their belts.
