How do I equip myself for a triathlon?

With its three disciplines - swimming, cycling and running - triathlon requires a lot of equipment, both for training and for race day. To help you find your way around and get to the start of your (first) triathlon in the best possible conditions, here are the essentials for both training and race day.

Key points

• Swimming: swimsuit, wetsuit, goggles, hat, pads, pull-buoy ;
• Cycling: racing bike or CLM bike / Triathlon, helmet, goggles, hydration accessories / nutritionrepair kit);
• Running: shoes, visor or cap, quick laces, compression socks;
• For D-day: tri-function, transition bag, quick-drying towel, foot pump, sun cream, number belt, etc.

EQUIPMENT FOR EACH TRAINING DISCIPLINE

SWIMMING

In swimming, for thepool trainingapart from swimsuits, caps and goggles, pads and pull-buoys will quickly become your best allies for improving your swimming technique and making rapid progress.

Visit pads help build upper-body strength by increasing the surface area of water displaced with each movement.
Visit pull-buoyallow you to concentrate solely on arm technique by keeping your legs on the surface of the water, while the boardsboards, on the other hand, are ideal for improving the quality of your leg beats without worrying about arm work.

If you're train outdoorssome swimming goggles with tinted or photochromic lenses will give you added comfort. Likewise wetsuit for triathlon or open-water swimming, to withstand cool or even cold water.

CYCLING

When it comes to cycling, many beginners wonder what kind of bike to choose: Classic race or Time Trial / Triathlon i.e. with a specific cockpit incorporating a base bar, extenders and gear controls at the end?

It all depends on the race profile and your level. On a very hilly or even mountainous eventa racing bike is preferable, unless you're already a good cyclist, as a CLM bike will require more energy on the climbs. This kind of bike also needs time to be "tamed" and to deliver its full potential.

On a triathlon with a less hilly profile and a fortiori over long distancesa specific bike will be fully justified. It should be noted that the difference between a CLM bike and a triathlon bike lies in its UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) homologation. A triathlon bike, for example, does not have the same fairing or seat tube angle limits as a CLM model. A CLM bike is allowed on a Triathlon, but not vice versa. So keep this in mind if you're thinking of taking part in both types of event.

A intermediate solution especially if you're just starting out, is to install extension cords on your racing bike to work on your position and see if you're comfortable in this kind of position. Note also that in some races where drafting is allowed, the length of the extensions is limited (usually to the half-crowns).

RUNNING

Last but not least, for running, you'll need one or even several pairs of shoes depending on distance and terrain. From compression socks can help you cope with your training load and keep up with your efforts.

SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT FOR RACE DAY

The most important element for a competition is the trifunction because it's the only equipment, along with your multisport watchthat won't leave your side during the race. Acting as a swimsuit, a cycling outfit (with a discreet but really effective chamois) and a running suit, the tri-function must be carefully chosen according to your practice and your objectives.
To make life easier, arrive at the transition park already in your trifonction and arrange your gear according to the sequence of disciplines.

The space allotted in the bike park is not always very large for each athlete. To organize your transitions properly, there's nothing better than a transition bag. These bags, designed specifically for triathlon, will make your life much easier, with compartments dedicated to each discipline, and sometimes an integrated mat to dry your feet efficiently.

SWIMMING

When it comes to swimming, you'll most often be required to use a wetsuit. Although they can represent a considerable investment, wetsuits are an asset, enabling you to swim faster and with less fatigue. So you can make the most of it, choose a triathlon wetsuit, not an open-water wetsuit, and certainly not a diving or surfing wetsuit. Triathlon wetsuits are designed to protect you from the cold, improve your buoyancy and glide without restricting your movements. Unlike open-water wetsuits, they're also easy to remove, so you don't have to waste time during transitions.
To make these transitions easier, and above all to avoid burns from movement, coat your nipples, armpits and neck with anti-friction cream.

If the bonnet Although the hat is always provided by the organization, along with your race number, there's nothing to stop you from wearing your own hat underneath if you wish, especially in cooler weather. Finally, take along a small quick-drying towel to dry your feet and quickly put on your shoes, whether or not you plan to wear socks.

CYCLING

In triathlon, you can't start without approved helmet. In fact, you can't enter the bike park on race day without your helmet on your head, chinstrap closed. Goggles are of course an essential complement. Visit shoes with wedges are the norm here, but there's nothing to stop you taking part in an event with flat pedals - possibly combined with toe-clips - if you feel more comfortable that way. Once you're ready to get on the bike, don't forget to apply sunscreen and put on your number belt (this must be visible from the rear for the bike-to-bike section, and from the front for the run).

You'll also need to bring all your repair kit to deal with minor mechanical incidents (punctures or chain breakage, for example), as assistance is forbidden in triathlons. So you'll have to rely solely on your equipment and yourself.

In the same spirit, equip your bike so that you can ride autonomously in thehydration and nutrition. A number of specific solutions are available, including saddle bottle holders, reservoirs with straws to be fixed between the extenders, and top-tube panniers for gels.

Finally, don't forget to take a foot pump in the bike park, so you can build up the ideal pressure just before you start swimming.

RUNNING

Once you've put down your bike and taken off your helmet, you'll need to change shoes, turn over your number belt and put on your shoes. To save time, opt for quick laces. As well as being quick and easy to change shoes, they ensure flawless reliability (no risk of the laces coming undone during a run) and maximum comfort (even, constant foot-tightness, no risk of pressure points). visor or cap A visor or cap and a pair of sunglasses will also enable you to tackle the final hurdle in the best possible conditions.