Triathlon, a sport consisting of swimming, cycling and running, is a fun and challenging endurance activity that requires special equipment. If you're a newcomer to the sport of triathlon, you'll need to purchase or borrow the equipment that will allow you to successfully participate in the three phases of the event. Possessing the proper triathlon equipment can improve your performance, make your race more enjoyable and help prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Swim Equipment
The swimming portion of the triathlon typically is the first of the three activities you perform, and is contested in a large body of water, such as a lake or an ocean, although sometimes the swim portion of the event in performed in an Olympic-size pool. If you're a beginner triathlete, you should consider purchasing or borrowing the following equipment, which is recommended by OneTri.com: a swimsuit or tri shorts, a wetsuit, goggles, a swim cap, lubricant or anti-chafe, a towel and ear plugs. The equipment you use for the swim portion of your triathlon largely depends on how long you'll be in the water and the temperature of the water. Wetsuits, which can be expensive, are used for cooler water temperatures, and typically can be rented from local shops. Consider using a triathlon-specific wetsuit, which improves your buoyancy and allows you considerable flexibility for your swim strokes. Use goggles while swimming to improve your comfort and visibility.
Cycling Equipment
Triathlon bikes, which are the most important piece of cycling equipment you use during a triathlon, are road bikes built for speed, according to TriathlonHints.com. Compared with regular road bikes, triathlon-specific bikes posses a different angle between the seat post and the ground, which puts you in a more aerodynamic position. Triathlon-specific bikes often are outfitted with aerobars that allow you to assume the most efficient possible position on your bike. Other cycling equipment beginner triathletes should consider using include a helmet, bike or tri shorts, a bike jersey, bike shoes, sunglasses, water bottles, biking gloves, sunglasses, a spare tube, a bicycle computer can monitor speed and distance, and a comfortable bike seat. Consider also purchasing or borrowing a mat or towel to stand on in your transition zone after your swim. A transition mat can help you get rid of any dirt or pebbles that may be clinging to your feet after you come out of the water.
Running Equipment
When you come off the bike and transition to the running phase of your triathlon competition, you'll need to don several pieces of running equipment that will help get you to the finish line. The most obvious piece of running equipment that you'll need is some sort of footwear to protect your feet from the asphalt. According to Dr. Ray McClanahan, a Portland, Oregon-based sports podiatrist and a leader in conservative foot care for athletes, the shoes you wear while racing can have a significant impact on the health of your feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. For triathletes, McClanahan suggests you wear a shoe that allows your foot to function like barefoot within the shoe, and that you should avoid the following problematic features built into most conventional running shoes: heel elevation, toe spring, tapering toe boxes and rigid, inflexible soles. Wearing Vibram FiveFingers--a foot glove, essentially--may help you avoid running-related injuries. Other pieces of running equipment you should consider using during your triathlon include a cap or visor, running shorts and shirt, and a race belt, in which you can carry easily digestible snacks and beverages.
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