Triathlons: A Test in Endurance
The first modern triathlon was held in 1920 in France. It consisted of a 3km run, 12km bike, and a swim across the Channel Marne. The triathlon first became an Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of triathlon events held thorought the country. Since triathlons are an individual event, team-based tactics such as drafting are generally not allowed. Most triathlons require helmets to be worn anytime the competitor is on the bike, if the helmet comes off at any time, the competitor is disqualified. Also, the competitor is required to be riding their bike at all times during the biking leg of the race. Many amateur athletes participate in triathlons for the sole purpose of reaping the cardiovascular benefits associated with endurance events. Many athletes also participate in triathlons because each of the events works the athlete's muscles in different ways, making it possible to have a more balanced muscle development. Athletes that participate in endurance events spend many hours training for those events and this is true for triathlon as well. Injuries that are incurred from long hours of a single activity are not as common in triathlon as they are in single sport events. The cross training effect that athletes achieve from training for one sport by doing a second activity applies in triathlon training. Additional activities that triathletes perform for a cross training effect are yoga, Pilates and weight training. Overall, triathlons are an excellent way to stay in peak physical condition, and a great way to be healthy.
The first modern triathlon was held in 1920 in France. It consisted of a 3km run, 12km bike, and a swim across the Channel Marne. The triathlon first became an Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of triathlon events held thorought the country. Since triathlons are an individual event, team-based tactics such as drafting are generally not allowed. Most triathlons require helmets to be worn anytime the competitor is on the bike, if the helmet comes off at any time, the competitor is disqualified. Also, the competitor is required to be riding their bike at all times during the biking leg of the race. Many amateur athletes participate in triathlons for the sole purpose of reaping the cardiovascular benefits associated with endurance events. Many athletes also participate in triathlons because each of the events works the athlete's muscles in different ways, making it possible to have a more balanced muscle development. Athletes that participate in endurance events spend many hours training for those events and this is true for triathlon as well. Injuries that are incurred from long hours of a single activity are not as common in triathlon as they are in single sport events. The cross training effect that athletes achieve from training for one sport by doing a second activity applies in triathlon training. Additional activities that triathletes perform for a cross training effect are yoga, Pilates and weight training. Overall, triathlons are an excellent way to stay in peak physical condition, and a great way to be healthy.
