Tips for Choosing Which Triathlon to Enter As a Beginner

It is often a difficult task to decide on the type of race that you should complete in for your very first triathlon. The type of race that you choose to complete in depends on a number of factors:

i) How fit are you?

ii) Are you a natural swimmer, cyclist or runner?

iii) What is the climate (temperature, humidity, etc) of the area you are going to be racing?

iv) How much triathlon training have you done? If any?

v) Is the swim an open water swim?

vi) What are your goals for triathlon?

All of the above factors will have an impact on the type of triathlon race to enter. There is no hard and fast rule on this decision. There have been many new triathletes go out in complete in a half-ironman races for their very first event.

So, before you can make a decision on the type of race to enter, you need to know the types of races that are out there. There are various triathlon races all of differing lengths. The most common triathlon races are: Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman and Ironman.

The Sprint distance involves swimming 0.25 to 0.62 miles, biking 5 to 18.6 miles and running 1 to 3.9 miles.

The Olympic distance involves swimming 0.93miles (1.5km), biking 24.8miles (40km) and running 6.2miles (10km)

The Half-Ironman distance involves swimming 1.2miles (1.93km), biking 56miles (90km) and running 13.1miles (21.09km)

The Ironman distance involves swimming 2.4miles (3.86km), biking 112miles (180km) and running 26.2miles (42.2km)

A Sprint distance race is usually the best choice for the new triathlete. The Sprint distance race provides you with a distance that is very achievable for triathletes of any athletic ability, yet at the same time providing you with a challenge. The Sprint distance race will give you a taste of what triathlon is all about.

One of the best pieces of advice that I can offer is regardless of the race type that you choose, make your decision and stick to it. Once your decision is made, get registered and pay for the race - you have now made the commitment. Then spend the coming weeks preparing for the race that you have just entered. Amazing things will start to happen with your training now that you have committed to a race. Believe it or not, your body will do everything it can to make sure that it is ready for your race.

TIP: Do not make the mistake that many would be triathletes out there have made (and I have been one of them), and that is to wait for everything to be perfect before choosing a race. Things are never going to be perfect. Just get out there and (as Nike) would say, "Just Do It".

Jarrod Fritsch
http://www.multisportfitnesstips.com/

Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Jarrod offers Triathlon Training for Beginners.
Jarrod offers a unique approach to training and racing, one that cuts through the "mystery" of how to train and prepare for your triathlon racing. Jarrod understands the needs of the beginner triathlete and offers an approach to training that caters for the demands of a busy schedule.

If you want to learn more about preparing for your first triathlon visit http://www.MultiSportFitnessTips.com/offer and purchase my "Triathlon Training for Beginners" guide. this guide will demystify how to get started in Triathlon and prepare for your first race.