Triathlete‘s Guide To Your First Triathlon
You did it! You signed up for your first triathlon! Now what? We've got your complete guide to crossing the finish line of your first triathlon.
Do you have more questions about your first (second, third, or tenth) tri? We have an active and supportive community of everyday athletes and experts in Team Triathlete who are willing to help. Plus: Members have exclusive, near-instant access to the entire editorial staff at Triathlete. Help is just an @ away! Become an Outside+ Member and join Team Triathlete now!
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Triathlon is terrifying, it’s confusing, and it’s also pretty great. We’re excited to have you join our ranks—so excited, we've gathered all of our beginner triathlon resources. Getting started in triathlon can be overwhelming, but we're here to help.
As a triathlon beginner, we recommend starting with a sprint triathlon (generally a 500-meter swim, a 20K bike, and a 5K run), but if you're interested in longer distances you can learn more about what those entail here. Along with the gear, training, and nutrition resources below, you can also ask us questions on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Now here is some advice and a beginner triathlon training plans to get you started.
Gear
The gear for a triathlon can be overwhelming, but don't overcomplicate it! For your first triathlon, buy, borrow, or rent only what you need and then add on as you go.
The Inside Scoop on Racing
From choosing your first triathlon to what to eat during your race, these articles will help you dial in everything you need to crush it on the big day.