Glossary of Triathlon Training Terms
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Aerobic endurance |
The ability of the heart and lungs, to work for a long period of time without tiring. |
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Aerobic exercise |
Extended durations of training done at a low intensity |
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Aerobic |
With oxygen |
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Anaerobic |
Without oxygen |
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Anaerobic exercise |
Short durations of training done at high intensity |
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Aero bars |
Bars that clip to handlebars of a bike enabling the rider to achieve an aerodynamic position |
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"off" a time |
The start time of the next repetition |
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Active recovery |
Recovering whilst moving at low intensity |
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Anaerobic threshold (AT) |
The point lactic acid starts to accumulate in muscles |
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Back to back |
One discipline straight after another |
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Brick |
Training two or more disciplines after eachother |
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Cadence |
Measurement used to describe speed of revolution or cycle |
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Dismount line |
The point from which a triathlete or duathlete dismounts their bike |
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Drafting |
Using the slipstream of another athlete |
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Dynamic stretches |
Stretching whilst moving |
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Feed station |
Area where competitors can take a drink |
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Fartlek |
Varying speeds, distances and intensities. |
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Hitting the wall |
The point where a competitor can no longer proceed due to insufficient energy |
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Ironman |
A distance of triathlon (3.8k swim, 180k bike, 42k run) |
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Interval training |
Brief bouts of high intensity movement followed by low intensity recovery period |
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Lactate threshold |
The highest intensity rate which you can sustain (up to 30 mins) without building lactic acid |
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Metabolic rate |
The body's energy expenditure per unit of time |
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Mount line |
The point from which a triathlete or duathlete mounts their bike |
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Muscular endurance |
The ability of a muscle/s to work without tiring |
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Negative split |
Speed or intensity increase |
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PB |
Personal best |
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Phasing |
Periods of training |
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Power |
Combination of strength and speed. |
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Pyramid |
Training method that builds in duration, distance or intensity and then reduces again. |
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RPM |
Revolutions per minute |
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Repetition |
A single movement |
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Race belt |
An elastic band what clips round the waist to which a race number gets pinned |
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Sighting |
Registering a line of travel by looking at a particular point whilst swimming. |
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Set |
A series of repetitions |
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Spin |
Cadence of a bike |
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Static recovery |
Recovering whilst stationary |
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Static stretches |
Stretching whilst stationary |
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Standard (or Olympic) distance |
Describes a distance of triathlon (approx 1500m swim, 25 mile bike, 6 mile run) |
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Split |
A time given to a proportion of training or racing |
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Sprint distance |
Describes a distance of triathlon (approx 400m swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run) |
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Strides |
Speed or intensity increase by a set distance |
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T1 |
Changing area between swim and bike legs |
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T2 |
Changing area between bike and run legs |
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Transition area |
A designated area used in a triathlon where transferal of disciplines takes place |
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Tempo |
Pace of activity |
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TT (or time trial) |
An individual’s race against the clock |
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TT (or time trial) bike |
A specifically designed bike designed for riding in an aerodynamic position |
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Threshold |
The point that must be exceeded to begin producing a given effect or result. |
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Vo2 max |
The highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and used during exercise |
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Wave |
A group of swimmers |
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'Washing machine' effect |
The turbulence generated by a mass of open water swimmers |
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70.3 |
Half Ironman distance (1.9k swim, 90k bike, 21k run) Refers to number of miles. |