Tip of the Week

February 23 , 2009

Warming up Before a Triathlon Race
When you warm up for your next race, make sure you spend plenty of time swimming on race day.  So many athletes will take their bike out for a spin and then put their shoes on for a run before the race starts.  It is all too easy to neglect swimming because it isn’t the discipline that wins the race.  But here’s the case for focusing your pre-race warm-up on the swim.  As it is the first leg of any triathlon race, it is the only sport that you are starting “cold”.  Conversely, you start the bike and the run when your body is already warmed up from the swim.  And since swimming places stress on most of the body’s muscles, they are more prepared to transition to a cycling and running movement.  It does help to warm up in cycling and running a little, but the most important event you should warm-up on triathlon race day is the swim.  Hope this helps make your race day stronger!  Until next time, happy training.

Click here to view previous tips.