Garmin Forerunner GPS Series
RUNNERS, BICYCLISTS and TRIATHLETES that want to IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE
NOW CAN with cutting edge technology and simplicity.

 

    TriAthlon Training Terms

Triathletes Definitions:


70.3
Half Ironman distance (1.2mi/1.9km swim, 56mi/90km bike, 13.1mi/21.1km run)

140.6
Ironman distance (2.4mi/3.8km swim, 112mi/180km bike, 26.2mi/42.2km run)

1/2 IM
Half Ironman (1.2mi/1.9km swim, 56mi/90km bike, 13.1mi/21.1km run)

1/2 mary
Half marathon, 13.1 miles

10k
6.2 miles

2 a day
Two workouts per day

40/30/30
Diet calorie percentages--Carbs/proteins/fats

5k
3.1 miles

Aero Bars
Handlebars which face forward (sometimes shifters are placed here) with places to put your elbows. These bars allow triathletes to maintain a very comfortable aerodynamic position

Aerobic Exercise
Any type of exercise, typically that performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time, that maintains an increased heart rate. Running a long distance at a moderate pace is an aerobic exercise, but sprinting is anaerobic.

AG(er)
Age Group(er)

AHR
Average Heart Rate

Anaerobic Exercise
The initial phase of exercise, or any short burst of intense exertion, where the glycogen or sugar is consumed without oxygen-a far less efficient process. Examples of anaerobic exercise include weight lifting, sprinting, and jumping.

Anaerobic Threshold
The exercise intensity at which lactate (lactic acid) begins to be produced faster than it can be removed (metabolized), and it starts to accumulate in the blood stream

Aquabike
A swimming stage followed by a biking stage with no run.

AR
Adventure racing

AT
See Anaerobic Threshold

ATP
Annual Training Plan

Basal Metabolic Rate
The amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment, in the post-absorptive state (meaning that the digestive system is inactive, which requires about twelve hours of fasting in humans).

Base
The solid foundation of fitness on which you build power and speed.

Bike Shoes
This term is self-explanatory. These are shoes that are worn on the bike. They have a stiff sole so that with each pedal stroke there is no power lost on any part of the pedal stroke. A good shoe usually will not bend, is light and has a cleat on the bottom to attach to the pedal. Bike shoes allow a rider to pull during the whole pedal stroke. For triathlons a shoe with velcro is best. Velcro can make putting on the shoes much easier and faster.

Bike Porn
The photos our colleagues and teammates share of their brand new bikes so that we may covet them.

BMR
See Basal Metabolic Rate

Bonk
When you suddenly lose energy and fatigue sets in, usually caused when glycogen stores in the liver and muscles are depleted, resulting in a major performance drop. Also "hitting the wall".

BOP(er)
Back of the Pack(er)

BPM
Beats per Minute (heart rate)

Brick Workout
A type of workout that triathletes do to simulate race conditions. Most triathlons are in the order Swim, bike, run. When triathletes switch from bike to run, their legs feel weird. A brick workout lets the racer practice the unusual feeling, so it feels more comfortable during a race.

Body marking
Because there is a swim involved, paper numbers cannot be used to mark the athletes. So each triathlete's race number is written on arms and legs. This lets officials mark down numbers as triathletes exit this water. This helps them to keep track that everyone exited the swim, also helps to identify triathletes throughout the entire race.

Buoy
This is usually a bright orange ball that is used to mark the swim course. Swims are usually swam in either the ocean or a lake, so they will use one to three buoys to mark the route so swimmers know where to go.

Cadence
See RPM

Cap
The latex swim cap that is given to each triathlete as they enter a race. A different colored cap will represent each age-group.

Clipless Pedals
A type of bike pedal that bike shoes attach to. There is a cleat that attaches to the bottom of a bike shoe(with screws). The shoe will then "clip in"to the pedal. This will allow pulling up on the pedal, during the pedal stroke. They will make a bike rider more efficient with each pedal stroke.

CD
Cool Down

Century
Bike ride of 100 miles

Chain Suck
The chain fails to disengage from the bottom teeth of a front chain ring; instead the teeth snag the chain and carry it up and around the rear circumference of the ring, winding it back onto itself, and jamming it between the chain-rings and chain-stay.

Chamois Butter
A clean, non-greasy lubricant between you and your cycling shorts. In addition to making biking more comfortable, it reduces the chances of saddle sores, and restores dried-out chamois & short liners.

Crit
See Criterium

Criterium
A type of bike race held on a short course (usually less than 3 miles), often run on closed-off city center streets. The length of the race can be determined by a number of laps or a total time, in which case the number of remaining laps is calculated as the race progresses.

Drafting
A race tactic that involves on athlete positioning themself directly behind another athlete either in the run, bike or swim to reduce wind and drag. Is illegal during the bike portion of a triathlon. A penalty will be given to athletes that are drafting. Depending upon the race, a penalty can be either a time penalty or even disqualification.

Energybar
A snack that is usually made up with either high protein or carbohydrates. Triathletes use these during racing and training for easy "food on the go." They are wrapped like a candybar and are easy to eat and carry.
Entry Fee
The amount of money a triathlete pays to enter a race. Can range anywhere from $5 to over $150. On an average the price is usually $35. The cost includes race insurance, a T-shirt, goodies in a bag and post race food. Depending on the race these things included can differ.
Expo
An area where local sponsors and product sponsors have boohts set-up. This allows the public to see what products the supporting companies offer and allows for information distribution. Many times there are information booths set-up and product sample booths. Usually, large races have huge expos because sponsors figure athletes will get a live glance of the product.
Deca
10x Iron distance. (24mi/38km swim, 1120mi/1800km bike, 262mi/422km run). There are also 2x. 3x, 4x, 5x, 15x, and 20x distances that have been raced.

DFL
Dead f***ing last

DNF
Did not finish

DNR
Did not race

DNS
Did not start

Dolphin Dive
Technique used to get through shallow water that is more efficient than wading. Involves doing short shallow dives, standing up, and repeating until you get deep enough to swim.

Dolphin Kick
Beating your legs in unison while swimming face down. Used with the butterfly stroke.

DQ
Disqualified

Drafting
The process by which one athlete follows directly behind another athlete. The athlete that is drafting gains an advantage (roughly 20%) by doing less work, but still travels at the same speed as the lead athlete. In most triathlons drafting is illegal on the bike, but it is never illegal during the swim. All world cup triathlon events and the Olympics are draft legal.

DU
See Duathlon

Duathlon
A race consisting of run, bike, run.

Fartlek
Swedish term meaning 'speed play' that is a relaxed method of interval training.

FOP
Front of the pack

Fred
Anyone who dresses up in the full kit of a professional racing team, and even has the matching $6000+ bike to go with it, and rides maybe once a week at 12 mph. Poseur.

Goggles
A piece of equipment that is placed over a swimmer's eyes. Most swimmers use them in triathlons, especially in salty water swims. Want to make sure they are tight, so if you happen to get kicked in the swim they will stay on. It is good to get darked colored goggles because there is often a glare on the water in the morning, so the dark colored goggles make it easier to see.

Goodie Bag
The bag of free stuff, coupons, ads, etc. you get when you pick up your race packet.

Half Mary
Half marathon, 13.1 miles

Hardware
Award for placing in your AG (medal, trophy, maple syrup, etc.)

Helmet
A mandatory piece of equipment for all triathletes. There is not a race in the country that will alow a triathlete to race without a bike helmet. If a crash occurs, a helmet can save a life. The helmet must be buckled before exiting the transition area.

HF
Hip Flexor

HIM
Half Ironman (1.2mi/1.9km swim, 56mi/90km bike, 13.1mi/21.1km run)

HR
Heart Rate

HRLT
Heart Rate at Lactate Threshold

HRM
Heart Rate Monitor

IM
Individual Medley in swimming. Consists of equal distances of 4 strokes, usually between 100 and 400 yards-butterfly, backstroke, breast stroke and then any stroke except the first three (I was on the swim team in high school so I only heard that phrase about 100 times or so), which for most people will be freestyle.

IM
Ironman distance (2.4mi/3.8km swim, 112mi/180km bike, 26.2mi/42.2km run)

IMNA
Ironman North America. The organization responsible for the logistics of the 6 official North American Iron distance triathlons (excludes Louisville) and the two official North American 70.3 distance races.

Interval Training
Any cardiovascular workout (e.g. biking, running, rowing, etc.) that involves brief bouts at near-maximum exertion interspersed with periods of lower-intensity activity

ITU
Stands for the International Triathlon Union, which is the international governing body of the sport. They coordinate all the national organizations and run the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS every year. They are also responsible for getting the sport into the 2000 Olympics. They are the "international voice"of the sport.
quo, and regulate on how people qualify for the national championships and communicate with the ITU. They are the "voice of triathlon"in the US.

Jockstrap
"athletic supporter"/volunteer

Kit
Collection of cycling clothing (jersey, shorts, gloves, helmet)

Lactate Threshold
The highest pace at which you can go for an extended period (>30 minutes) without building up lactic acid.

Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is formed from glucose, and used by working muscles for energy. It is thought that muscle cells convert glucose or glycogen to lactic acid, then lactic acid is absorbed and converted to a fuel by mitochondria in muscle cells. Lactic acid is what causes muscle soreness.

Ladder
An interval workout with progressively increasing then decreasing distances at each interval. For example, run fast for 400m, jog for 200m, run for 800m, jog for 200m, run for 1200m, jog for 200m, run for 800m, jog for 200m, run for 400m, jog for 200m.

LB
Lower Body

LBM
Lean Body Mass

LBS
Local Bike Shop

LSD
Long Slow Distance

LT
See Lactate Threshold

Mary
Marathon

Mashing
A cycling term indicating pedaling a big gear (53 x 13 or 14) with a slower cadence instead of spinning a smaller gear.

Mdot
Ironman trademark

MHR
Maximum Heart Rate

MOP(er)
Middle of the Pack(er)

mRHR
Morning Resting Heart Rate (to distinguish the lowest rate vs. RHR, which could be recovery heart rate.)

MS
Multi Sport

MTB
Mountain Bike

Negative split
Finish the second half of a workout/race faster than the first half.
Number Belt
An elastic strap that is placed around the waist usually on the run. The belt allows paper numbers to be pinned on so that they can be visible during the run. This saves times over putting on a T-shirt or shorts.
Olympic Distance Triathlon
Consists of a .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike and a 6.2 mile run. Probably the most common distance of triathlon offered. The Olympics will be this distnce.
OA
Over-All, as in overall placement in the race.

OLY
Olympic distance triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run)

OWS
Open Water Swim

Pack
Refers to a group of people who are either running, biking or swimming together. Drafting is usually taking place, so it is something to be avoided during the bike.

PB
Personal best

PC
Powercranks

PE
Perceived exertion/ effort

Peloton
The large main group in a road bicycle race.

Periodization
Varying the training levels over discrete periods of time to prevent overtraining

Pre-registration
A time to pick up race information before the actual race day. It usually occurs the day before the event. At really big races, pre-registration could be over a period of a couple of days leading up to the event. It is best to pick-up race information ahead of time, because race morning is chaos. There is only so much you can accomplish in the morning of the race. It is nice to get this out of the way.

Racing Flats
An extremely light pair of running shoes. Makes legs feel "lighter" when running with tired legs after the bike. They usually do not have much cushioning or support as compared to training shoes. Should be worn for race purposes only.

PF
Plantar Fasciitis

PNF
Paula Newby Fraser (a.k.a. The Super Chicken)

PR
Personal record

PV
Personal victory

Rabbit
The guy or gal that you pick out of the crowd before your swim start that you will chase and try to pass on your way to the finish.

Race Packet
The packet you get that has your number, swim cap, chip, etc.

RD
Race Director

RHR
Resting Heart Rate

RI
Rest interval

RICE
Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate

RPE
Rate of perceived exertion

RPM
Revolutions per minute. The pace at which you are turning your cranks when you cycle.

RR
Race Report

SME
Swimming Made Easy (Terry Laughlin's 2000 version of TI)

Split
Your time for a portion of your race or workout. For instance, your mile splits in a 5k are your times for each individual mile.

pack
refers to a group of people who are either running, biking or swimming together. Drafting is usually taking place, so it is something to be avoided during the bike.

Sprint
Short distance triathlon. Approximately 400yard swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run

T1
Transition 1-Change area between swim and bike

T2
Transition 2-Change area between bike and run

Taco
A bent bike wheel that looks like, well, a taco!

Transition Area
The place set marked off for transitions to take place. All the equipment the athlete will use in the race is placed in this area. The bike is parked at a rack with the racer's number. Bikes, helmets and shoes are place here for the so transitions can take place quickly and orderly.

Triathlon
A sport that consists of three sports, most commonly swim, bike, run.
USA TRIATHLON
The United States triathlon national governing body. They set the status
TdF
Tour de France

The Washing Machine
Referring to an OW swim start

TI
Total Immersion: swimming instruction by Terry Laughlin

Transition Area
Place where a triathlete keeps belongings (i.e., bike, wetsuit, running shoes) during a triathlon. This area is part of the race course. After a triathlete finishes their swim, they run to the transition area where they mount their bike. After the bike leg of the race is completed, the triathlete dismounts their bike (in the same spot they retrieved it) and begins the run portion. The race always ends at the finish line (usually near the transition area).

Transition Run
A short (around 10 minutes or 1 mile) run off the bike (as opposed to a Brick, which is usually a longer run).

Tri-Bike
A triathlon-specific bicycle designed for riding in the aerodynamic position. This bike features aero bars, a steep seat tube angle to put you farther over the cranks and allow for a comfortable aerodynamic position, and a very light weight.

Tri-Geek
One who is obsessed with triathlons and all the toys that go with it. He/she lives for the sport, loves to talk about triathlons, loves to train for triathlons, and is involved with anything having to do with the sport. Cyclists love to call triathletes this name -they often call this out as triathletes pass them on a training ride.

TT
Time Trial (usually in reference to cycling)

TTT
Team Time Trial

UB
Upper body

USAT
USA Triathlon, the national governing body for the multi-sport disciplines of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States.

VO2 Max
The highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized during exercise by a person.

Waves
When a race does not start en masse, the RD will break it up into groups called waves. Often separated by gender and AG's.

Wrench
Bike mechanic

WTC
World Triathlon Corp, owners of Ironman trademark