Triathlon is multirace with three different continuous endurance races. As the name suggests, it contains three separate races which usually consists of swimming, cycling and running over long distances. The triathletes compete to complete all the three stages in the shortest time possible. We call the transition time between swimming and cycling T1, and the transition in between cycling and running T2. In these periods they can change their gear for the next segment of the race. The time taken in these stages gets included in the overall timing, and therefore, the players try to keep it as short as possible. Triathlon is a very persistent and hardcore race which requires immense strength and stamina. Triathletes usually train for all the three segments separately and sometimes in combinations as well.
What Are Triathlon And Marathon
Marathon, on the other hand, is a long-distance race. It has an official distance of 42.19 kilometres, which was standardized in 1920. Marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896. At first, the length of a marathon in Olympic was not precisely fixed and was roughly 40 kilometres, which is almost 25 miles. A marathon is completed in a walk/run strategy as the distance is too long to continue running for non-professionals. More than 800 marathon races are held worldwide every year for various reasons. They are held sometimes for donations and sometimes just for fun. The inclusion of women took place long after it was started. Even when the women ran the marathon, the judges did not include it in the official results.
The Differences
Triathletes and Marathon runners are a bit different in their preferences. Triathletes have to do all three activities one after the other. They prefer clothing that will stick with their body and give mobility. Therefore lycra is there go to clothing material. Lycra is skintight and helps the triathletes to be as aerodynamic as possible on the bike. Marathon runners, on the other hand, prefer traditional running gear more than lycra, which consists of a T-shirt and loses shorts. One of the other reasons that triathletes chose to stick to lycra is to save time in changing in between the transition from one stage to the next step. The other difference in their preferences is their shoes. Triathletes love and prefer shoes with no laces or have speed laces. The reason is evident as they don’t want to waste time on tying shoelaces. Marathon runners, on the other, usually traditionally tie their shoelaces.
The main challenge for many triathletes is the transition from cycling to running. After miles and miles of running, it may be a bit difficult to run very fast, and they may make a take a bit longer time than the marathon runners. However, this is not the case for every triathlete. Some triathletes make running after miles cycling their second nature. The only way to increase your speed in the running after cycling is to practice more running after cycling. There is no other way.
Leave a Reply