Getting Started

Your questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach and professional triathlete Sara McLarty.

Get the biggest bang for your buck by following these three guidelines.

Take our advice—starting from square one—on how to get swim-ready for your first race.

No. 1: Never take yourself too seriously. We do this sport for fun. Very few of us are actually feeding our families via swim, bike and run.

Swim coach Bryan Mineo explains why holding your breath will slow you down and provides advice for kicking this bad habit.

Increasing your comfort level in a pool is a good way to become a more proficient open-water swimmer.

Keeping the flame burning for triathlon can be tough, especially after a big race.

Advice for the adult-onset swimmer.

Some general guidelines to ensure you are setting your day up for success.

Coach Justin Daerr has found that three basic sessions hold the hierarchy: the long run, the transition run and the fartlek/speed run.

Improve your technique by doing drills catered to your problem in the water.

Advice on how to brave six of the most common swim-anxiety inducers.

Some of the most fun and beneficial training we can do on the bike involves riding in a draft-friendly group.

By paying attention to the weakest part of our swimming, we can often make the most improvement.

You didn’t become a triathlete just to log yardage in the pool. It’s time to start thinking—and racing—like an open-water swimmer.

In honor of National Running Day, we’ve gathered some of our favorite advice from over the years to help you run faster off the bike.

Avoid disaster by following this golden rule.

Depending on your goals, a run/walk method could get you to the finish line faster—and in greater comfort.

There’s a risk of adding them into your workout mix too soon.

This hierarchy will determine where you should focus your time in the pool.

With power meters and GPS devices, what role does a heart rate monitor play, and how should it be used throughout the year?

Experts weigh in with six important things to add into your race prep.

Help your bike fitter help you with these three steps to ensure you get the right fit.

Here’s your guide to get the most out of this simple, effective tool, which can help build upper-body strength.

Pack swimming is a relatively infrequent experience for most athletes, and it’s difficult to replicate in a pool.

We compiled some of the most common training questions we hear and had veteran coach Jimmy Riccitello weigh in with his expert opinion.

Mimic a proper open-water stroke—and gain strength—by adding a band to your pool sessions.

Swimming slow on the recovery portion of a set is very important.

Many of us have plenty of reasons why we can’t complete a triathlon. We offer excuse-eschewing tips that will kick-start your training.

Haven’t hammered out that resolution list yet? Here are four goals to go for this year—and tips on how to get ‘em done.

We compiled some of the most common training questions we hear and had veteran coach Jimmy Riccitello weigh in with his expert opinion.

Former professional runner Alan Webb shares the mistakes and learnings from his first season as a triathlete.

The right coach can take a triathlete’s performance from good to great. What kind of coach is right for you? Take our quiz to find out.

Lesley Paterson made a name for herself in triathlon, but she grew up “fell” running on the undulating terrain of the Scottish moors.

Sara McLarty answers questions about longer swim sets, the streamline off of the wall, chlorine's effect on the skin and more.

Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.

Get ready to unleash your inner swimmer with this advice from front-pack swimmer and longtime swim coach Anna Cleaver.

There’s a reason pros are big on swim sets using a band.

Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.

Feeling a bit nervous about kicking off your training for an upcoming race? Take this advice from the two-time Ironman world champ.

Andy Potts started as a former swimmer with much to learn. He offers his advice.

Nate Helming and Mario Fraioli discuss how to repair your running form and economy.

LifeSport coach Lucy Smith shares her “no hope/all task” approach to racing.

These handling techniques will help you enjoy the transition from bike rider to full-blown cyclist and can help save time on race day.

Coach Katie Malone provides advice for tackling triathlon's fourth discipline: transitions.

Address your weakest triathlon leg (swim, bike or run) with advice from coach Luis Vargas.

New to triathlon? Pick a race, identify your mission and get organized!

Honest advice for avoiding common mistakes in your first triathlon from Jesse Thomas.

Kid-friendly advice from USAT’s top youth coach.

Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.

Do you participate for the food? Are you scared of the swim? Want to feel like a pro? Pick the triathlon that best suits your personality.

Learn from the mistakes Bob has seen to avoid humbling moments at your next race.

How do I stop my legs from sinking/dropping in the water?

"Beginner's Corner" is a new monthly column from coach Lucy Smith aimed at helping beginner triathletes as they jump into the sport.

Super swimmer and coach Sara McLarty answers four questions she received on Twitter.

Three ways to run faster and more efficiently without training harder.

What are the best pool sessions to increase my speed and overall swimming fitness?

This 2013 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide simple gear list includes the bare necessities you’ll need to get through the bike.

Plus, eight clip-on aerobars featured in the 2013 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide.

Every Wednesday in “Rookie in Training,” beginner triathlete Jason Devaney will share training advice he learns as he jumps into the sport.

Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.

“Rookie in Training” columnist Jason Devaney completed his first half Ironman over the weekend.

After all the training Jason Devaney has done, his “A” race for the season is only a few days from now.

As endurance athletes know, training and life don’t always mix.

Beginner triathlete Jason Devaney shares his experience with the swim in a recent race.

You keep your cycling kit clean, right? And your helmet and sunglasses? Shoes? Your bike, however, is a different story.

Sara McLarty's seven swim technique tips that really work from The Beginner Triathlete's Guidebook.

What’s a good way to simulate open-water training without a lake or ocean nearby?

Better running form starts with a strong core and ends with solid running mechanics.

The fastest (and only) bike you own is a mountain bike your parents bought you for Christmas five years ago. Sound familiar?

We asked triathletes, ranging from beginners to veterans, to share the number one tip they’d give someone who is just getting started in the sport.

Choosing which races to do is sort of like learning the A-B-Cs.

Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.

Triathlon rookie Jason Devaney writes about a common struggle among new triathletes: open-water swim anxiety.

Perfecting the dolphin dive will give you a quick and efficient method to move through shallow water at the start of a race.

Andy Potts hosted a transition clinic in the Philadelphia Insurance Companies health club and shared his tips for a smooth transition.

Fitting a busy week of training into an even busier week of working and everything else we do is the ongoing challenge for us age groupers.

Beginner triathlete Jason Devaney shares advice he learned when first learning to swim.

Coach Sara McLarty answers this and other reader questions submitted through Twitter.

Competing in a triathlon with an open-water swim? Don't miss these tips from super swimmer John Flanagan.

How do I train? How do I learn to swim? What kind of equipment do I need? What should I eat and drink? How do I stay injury-free?

Just because it's a short race doesn't mean you have to take it easy when it comes to training for a sprint triathlon.

Cindi Bannink offers advice on successfully transitioning from competitive single-sport athlete to triathlete.

Some of the sport's top athletes discuss goal setting, strength work, open-water swimming, brick workouts, race prep and more.

Top pros give their thoughts on incorporating training partners, coaches and mentors into a training regime.

After doing two triathlons and watching his former teammates tackle Ironmans, Michael Weiss signed up for Ironman Florida 2013.

Let these beginner's rookie mistakes—and our expert-sourced solutions—give you a competitive edge, no matter your racing level.

With the help of some triathlon veterans, T.J. Murphy answers some of the most-asked beginner queries.