But what if you’re looking for alternatives?

If you can't or don’t want to go to Club La Santa, what do you do? If rooms or flights are fully booked, what are your options? If you’ve explored every single route on Lanzarote island, what’s next?

In this article, I’m listing the top alternatives to Club La Santa.

Why am I writing this article?

I’ve recently found myself doing research for a triathlon holiday and there isn’t a lot of information out there. I had been to Lanzarote four times already, two at Club La Santa and was looking for something else.  So I’ve asked friends, searched the internet, made a big spreadsheet. Now, I’m ready to share the results of my efforts in a blog post so that you don’t have to do the same.

I plan to keep building this article over time. Therefore, if you have any suggestions, feel free to send them and I’ll make sure to add them to the article.

What Characteristics make a great alternative to Club La Santa?

• Location

• Weather

• Swimming

• Cycling

• Running

• Training camps

• Family friendly

Location

The main factor is that it needs to be well connected to where you’re travelling from. Lanzarote is relatively well connected with daily flights to most European countries and multiple flights per day to the UK and Spain. One downside of Lanzarote is that it actually is quite far from continental Europe with flight times starting at approximately 3 hours from western Europe. 

Anything reasonably connected within that range is a valid option in my opinion. Kona would be nice, but being on a plane for 20 hours it’s not. Therefore, most locations I’ve selected are in Europe or close to it.

Weather

Few people like to cycle under the rain. With a subtropical-desert climate, Lanzarote’s weather is hard to beat. Average low is 14 degrees in January and the average high is 29 in August. There’s only 18 days with rain per year. When it does rain, it actually doesn’t rain much. It’s never extremely hot or too cold in Lanzarote and it’s a great year-round holiday destination. There aren’t many locations in Europe that offer the exact same conditions year round. Some of the locations I’ve selected might not be as warm as Lanzarote year-round, but they will still be great options most of the year.

Swimming

Access to a pool of at least 20-25 meters and/or access to the sea are the main requirements in terms of swimming options. If there’s a 50-meters pool, much better. Reserved lanes for lap swimmers are a really good addition to the features

Cycling

The minimum requirement here is access to stunning routes for epic cycling rides. Most of the locations I’ve selected also offer cycling friendly facilities such as a bike garage or road bike rentals. Organised group rides greatly improve the suitability of the resort for triathletes so they don’t have to plan routes in advance and can make the holiday more social.

Running

The truth is you can run pretty much anywhere so I’ve set my requirements low here. Plus points if there’s a track, or organised group runs.

Training Camps

One reality is that all triathlon training camps are a great alternative to Club La Santa if that’s what you’re looking for. For this reason, I’m not necessarily selecting resorts that offer training camps a couple of weeks per year. I’m choosing resorts where you can have your own training camp most of the year.

Family Friendly

I’ll be honest, I don’t have children, so it’s not really my requirement. However, I know that a lot of people choose Club La Santa because it’s family friendly. Therefore, I’ve redacted my list keeping in mind whether it would be suitable also for families with kids.

The Top Alternatives to Club La Santa

Without further ado, here are the top alternatives to Club La Santa.

Sands Beach Resorts

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Location: Lanzarote (Spain)

Sands Beach Resorts is one of the closest things to Club La Santa, mostly because it’s on the same island. It’s situated in Costa Teguise which you’ll find to be sunnier and busier than La Santa village. Swimming options include a private lagoon for open water swimming and a 25 lap swimming pool with lanes. Cycling activities include a secure bike garage, bike rental through a local company, group rides on Sundays, and a list of routes to follow. There are plenty of other sports facilities including leisure pools, gym and tennis. They also organise sports holidays and training camps.

Occidental Lanzarote

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Location: Lanzarote (Spain)

This is a beach resort on the Costa Teguise side of Lanzarote with an all inclusive programme and an Olympic swimming pool.

Tri Sports Lanzarote

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Location: Lanzarote (Spain)

Playitas

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Location: Fuerteventura (Spain)

Oasis Papagayo

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Location: Fuerteventura (Spain)

Tenerife Top Training

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Location: Tenerife (Spain)

T3, or Tenerife Top Training, is a sport center in La Caleta. Although not a hotel itself, it has outstanding sports facilities and a number of nearby partner hotels, including the adjacent Hotel Suite Villa Maria, to make it a great sport holiday.

Viva Blue

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Location: Mallorca (Spain)

A common location for triathlon training camps in Mallorca, this hotel in Playa de Muro offers, among other things, a 25-meters pool and a massive breakfast buffet.

Sporthotel Hoposa

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Location: Mallorca (Spain)

Bluewater hotel

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The hotel of nearby Best Swim Center in Colonia de St Jordi (Mallorca).

Location: Mallorca (Spain)

Hotel Beau Soleil

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Location: Cesenatico, Italy 

A heated 25 meters pool and a great destination for trying the course of nearby Ironman Cervia. 

Poiano Resort

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Location: Garda (Italy)

A sport hotel with a beautiful unheated 50m pool with breath taking views over Lake Garda open March to November (bring a wetsuit for the late season).

Riva del Sole

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Location: Tuscany (Italy)

Set in Castiglione della Pescaia, this hotel offers direct access to the beach and a beautiful 25 meters pool. It’s also a great setting for terrific road or mountain biking.

Poggio all’Agnello

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Location: Tuscany (Italy)

Forte Villa Resort

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Location: Sardinia (Italy)

Host of Ironman 70.3 Sardinia, this beautiful triathlon hotel has everything you need for a swimming, cycling, running holiday. A salted 25 m pool and beach access for swimming, outstanding cycling routes, and beautiful running trails.

Sport Village

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Location: Loutraki (Greece)

Bonus

Thanyapura Phuket

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Location: Thailand

Although not in Europe, I had to include this addition as it’s been recommended by many triathletes as one of the top destinations in Asia.

I hope you’ll find this list useful. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

If you've ever attempted or finished a triathlon you know how complex its logistics can be. Being a sport made of three different sports (swim, bike and run), the sheer amount of gear that you need to remember on race day can feel overwhelming. Forgetting even one small item can make the difference between success and failure.

That's why I've made a checklist to help you remember every single one of those things. It's tailored towards any Triathlon distance: super sprint, sprint, Olympic, 70.3, ironman, long, half, full, etc. Depending on the distance, some items may be of less value (I'll let you be the judge of that).

I tried to include as many items as reasonably possible so don't worry if some of these are unfamiliar to you. If you don't know what they are, you likely won't need them. In any case, I'm keeping a short explanation so you can judge by yourself.

At the end of this article, you will also find a downloadable list in pdf that you can keep handy on your phone or print out and keep in your wallet.

Equipment list

• Swim 🏊‍♂️
• Bike 🚴‍♂️
• Run 🏃‍♂️
• Other gear 🎒
• Advanced gear 💪
• Downloadable Checklist ⬇️

Swim 🏊‍♂️

• Wet Suit: You may not need this if the water temperature is too high. It's always best to err on the side of caution
• Swim Cap: That's often, though not always, provided by the race officials. Bring an extra one for added warmth.
• Goggles: Because swimming without them is a bit uncomfortable.
• Spare Goggles: You never know when they brake.
• Earplugs: If you feel dizzy after an open water swim, these might help!
• Tri suit: Alternatively, a swimsuit is fine.
• Wetsuit lube: It will minimise chafing and help take off your wetsuit after

Bike 🚴‍♂️

• Bike: Forgetting this one at home would be odd, wouldn't it?
• Race wheels: Just in case you've got extra racing wheels and forgot to swap them.
• Energy Drinks: And/or energy gels
• Water bottles: Or whatever you're going to use for your hydration strategy
• Cycling gloves: They'll protect your hands
• Shorts and jersey: If you're not the tri-suit type.
• Nutrition: Mostly needed for the longer distances and depending on personal preference.
• Helmet: You won't be allowed to race without
• Sunglasses: Definitely bring them if it's sunny or if you want to avoid insects from splashing into your eyes!
• Cycling Shoes: If you have clipless pedals - otherwise you'll be using your running shoes.
• Floor pump: To check tyre pressure on race day - you could probably borrow this.
• Spare tubes: At least two is recommended.
• Spare tyre: If you use tubular or just like carrying literally everything on your bike.
• Tyre levers: To make sure you can change that flat tyre.
• Mini-pump: To inflate the tyres if you pinch one.
• CO2 cartridges: If you want to inflate tyres faster
• Multi-tool: Just in case you need to adjust something on your bike.

Run 🏃‍♂️

• Running Shoes: Most races forbid barefoot running, so you know.
• Hat: or visor or nothing.
• Race belt: It makes holding the race number easy.
• Socks: Unless you run without.
• Shorts and singlet: If you like to change during transitions

Other gear 🎒

• Race Number: How many race numbers you'll have will depend on the actual race
• Timing chip: Unless you're actually just doing the triathlon "for fun"
• Triathlon watch: Because if it's not on Strava it didn't happen
• Sunscreen: Especially if you're from Britain, Ireland or one of those places that don't get a lot of sun during the year
• Transition bags: These you'll typically need on Ironman or half distance triathlons
• Flashlight: Unless if you know that sunrise is before transition opens
• Triathlon license: Some races will let you buy one on the day
• Toilet Paper: It's surprisingly scarce at Triathlon events
• Towel: To dry your feet in transition
• Baby powder: It'll help put on those shoes
• Safety pins: If you don't do race belts
• Parking permit: If you've been provided one
• Money: In case there's anything you need to buy on race day
• A positive mind: But don't try anything new on race day
• Post race clothing: Because the tri life continues after a triathlon

Advanced gear 💪

• Cycling Computer: When a Triathlon watch is not enough
• Duct tape: If you like to tape energy gels to your bike frame
• Cable ties: People use them to fix an extra bottle cage between the aero bars or behind the seat post
• Valve extender: If you have deep carbon wheels, you definitely need these
• Salt tablets: It's scientifically proven that you don't need these on short races
• Heart rate monitor: Don't start too fast
• Elastic bands: If you're the flying mount type

Downloadable Triathlon Checklist ⬇️

Who knows whether you'll have an internet connection on race day! Maybe you'll forget your phone. That's why I've made a printable and downloadable triathlon checklist. It will look nice on your phone and you can print it, too.
You can see a preview below (click here to open the triathlon checklist as pdf).

Conclusions

That was quite a list! If you're seeing this on race day, best of luck from me! I hope I somehow helped you save your list. If you think I should add something to the list, please let me know!

What is the order of events in a Triathlon and why? These are common questions amongst new triathletes and tri-curious. This article will clear your mind about the "what" and give you a few reasons for the "why".

What is the order of events in Triathlon?

There are many triathlon distances but the order is always the same: Swim > Bike > Run. 

You start with a swim, go into the first transition area (T1), then cycle, then into transition two (T2) and finish with a run. 

Why is the order of events in Triathlon "Swim-Bike-Run"?

There is no official reason for the order of events in a Triathlon but we can start by looking at its history. Even though Triathlon was made popular by the Ironman race in the 1980s, the first triathlons were held in the 1920s in France and consisted of running, cycling and canoeing. The first modern triathlon was held in San Diego, California in 1974 and consisted in a "run-cycle-swim" race while the first Ironman Triathlon took place in Hawaii in 1978 in the now popular "swim-cycle-run".

It's quite clear then that the order of sports in a triathlon is not a necessity. So why is it this way? Well, the truth is that if you consider all the consequences of a particular order, the current format becomes the obvious one. Here are the main ones.

Swim Safety

Swimming is the most hazardous of the three sports from a safety perspective. Most casualties in Triathlons are during this leg for quite obvious reasons: if you stop swimming, you drown. Triathlon is a mass sport with thousands of athletes competing in a single event and with a wide variety of skills. It's, therefore, best to avoid a risk of drowning from exhaustion and it makes a lot of sense putting the swim leg first.

Bike Safety

If you have ever seen the Tour de France, you know that accidents do happen. One of the highest risks is the final sprint. As athletes are exhausted and push one final sprint to the finish line, it's not unusual to see crashes happen in the final kilometers of the race. This makes one good reason to avoid ending with cycling. 

Speed

Open water swims are usually done in a wetsuit and it's much easier to take a wetsuit off than taking it on. The whole idea of Triathlon is completing the three legs in the shortest amount of time. It makes sense then to avoid having to wear a wetsuit after an intense cycle or run.

Drafting

If Triathlon started with the bike it would be nearly impossible to prevent drafting. A bike start would make no sense for all non-drafting triathlons (such as Ironman) and would take out any spectacle from drafting races (such as ITU).

Logistics

A triathlon is a sportive event that requires an immense amount of logistics because of the number of athletes and equipment involved. An event starting with a bike race would require a starting area capable of holding thousands of athletes on their bicycle. Likewise, an event ending with the cycle would require a finish line with a wide road and a deceleration area to accommodate cyclists sprinting to the finish line. It would also require additional parking areas and various logistic challenges to deliver post-race nutrition. 

Traffic control

Triathlons require at very least some traffic control which can at times imply roads fully closed to car traffic to prevent accidents between cars and bikes. Most triathlons are held on festive days in the early morning. Keeping the bicycle towards the beginning often allows for triathlons to be held with the least amount of traffic with open roads or the least amount of disruption to drivers with closed roads.

Spectacle

Of the three sports, the largest gaps between athletes are created on the bike and on the run. While the difference between professional athletes on the swim can be minutes, the bike and run legs are able to highlight massive differences between athletes. In particular, many argue that triathlons favor strong runners. In the World Ironman Championships, it's quite common for the winner to also conclude the run with the fastest time. It, therefore, makes a more dramatic race to have the strong runners try to compensate any gap created by the "uber cyclists". This effect is even stronger on draft legal triathlons where triathletes manage to stay in the same group during the bike leg with distances created only with the running stage of the race. 

Conclusion

I hope we've given you enough reason as to why Triathlons are "swim-cycle-run" events. There surely are others and you are welcome to tell us if you know of any more reasons. Also, let us know if you find any reasons why it shouldn't be this way. 

If you are training to achieve a new personal best in a running marathon, a critical element for success is choosing an ideal race. Most runners will typically be looking for an event with low to no elevation gain and low temperature, possibly close to 10° Celsius (50 f). Also, they'll typically be looking for a certified course so that the result can be used as a qualifying time for the starting pen for your next race. We've gathered some of the Marathons that will help you achieve this.

1. Berlin Marathon, Germany

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Period: Mid-late September

Temperature: average Max 19° (66 f) / Min 10° (50 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:01:39 (2018, WR), Women 2:18:11 (2018) 

Established in 1974, the Berlin Marathon is the place to go if you're looking for a PB. In fact, all the last 7 world marathon records by men have been achieved at the Berlin Marathon. In other words, Berlin is the city holding the world marathon record since 2003. It's one of the "Marathon Majors", one of the most renowned marathons in the world. You can expect a massive, well-organized event where you'll run in front of Berlin's top sights and and cross the Brandeburg Gate just before the finish line. 

2. London Marathon, UK

Period: Used to be late April, now late October.

Temperature: average Max 15° (59 f) / Min 7° (44 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:03:05 (2016), Women 2:15:25 (2003, WR)

Established in 1981, the London Marathon is the most popular marathon in the world with 414,168 applicants to the 2019 event. This is another great race for your next personal best. It's not a coincidence that many world records, including the current women's record, have been set here. However, it's also one of the busiest races and if you want to get your entry, you are much likely to get it if raising money for a charity. Also, beware that mild climate is not guaranteed because climate change has made the last editions of this race particularly hot. The 2018 London marathon broke the record for the hottest on record with 23.2 degree Celsius. Such high temperatures are likely to impact your performance.

3. Frankfurt Marathon, Germany

Period: October

Temperature: average Max 15° (59 f) / Min 6° (42 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:03:42 (2011), Women 2:20:36 (2008)

Also established in 1981, the Frankfurt Marathon is the ideal late-season record-setting location. It's the third fastest marathon in the world based on course records. German site marathon-ergebnis notably ranks this race as the fastest in Germany (therefore faster than Berlin) based on average finish times. 
An interesting fact is that this is the oldest marathon in Germany but only the second most popular (after Berlin). If you don't like hot temperatures, this is probably the race for you. However, be prepared for cold or wet weather. 

4. Chicago Marathon, USA

Period: October

Temperature: average Max 17° (62 f) / Min 10° (50 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:03:45 (2013), Women 2:17:18 (2002)

Established in 1977 and one of the six "Majors", the Chicago Marathon is the place to go if you're looking for a PB in the USA. It's also the fourth largest race in the world by finishers, with the number of participants capped at 45,000. Responsible for 13 past world records, at this race you are guaranteed optimal personal besting conditions.  

5. Dubai Marathon, UAE

Period: January

Temperature: average Max 24° (75 f) / Min 15° (59 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:04:00 (2018), Women 2:19:17 (2018)

A recent addition to the world stage, the Dubai Marathon has been established only in 2001. This race has also been called the "richest marathon" for the generous prize money for professional athletes. In 2008 it set what was then the second fastest marathon time just under 2:05. The marathon starts at 6am to take advantage of the lower temperatures in the morning. 

6. Rotterdam Marathon, Netherlands

Period: Early April

Temperature: average Max 13° (55 f) / Min 4° (39 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:04:27 (2009), Women 2:18:58 (2012)

The Rotterdam Marathon is responsible for three past world records. It's fast and flat, has great crowd support and, if you don't mind temperatures a bit on the low side, it's the race for you. 

7. Sevilla Marathon, Spain

Period: February

Temperature: average Max 18° (64 f) / Min 7° (44 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:06:36 (2019), Women 2:24:29 (2019)

The Sevilla Marathon is a great early-season option if you live in Europe and a certified IAAF Road Race Label Events. Although course records might not make it justice, it's a flat and fast course that runs through a Unesco world heritage city. You might also appreciate the low-cost flights and the plenty of cheap accommodation options compared to many of the "big city" events.

8. Lisbon Marathon, Portugal

Period: October

Temperature: average Max 22° (71 f) / Min 15° (59 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:08:21 (2014), Women 2:24:13 (2016)

If you've ever been to Lisbon you might know that the city is not at all flat. Quite the opposite, in fact. Therefore, you may be wondering how this city made the list of the  fastest marathons. Well, in fact, the Lisbon Marathon is run entirely along the coast and across the 25 April bridge. If you are looking for a scenographic race in mild temperatures, this is the one for you.

9. Milan Marathon, Italy

Period: April

Temperature: average Max 18° (64 f) / Min 10° (50 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:07:13 (2017), Women 2:24:59 (2002)

The Milan Marathon has only been established in 2000 but is rapidly growing in popularity and has effectively become the largest marathon in Itay. Although it has a good amount of turns, it's as flat as a marathon can be and passes in front of literally every sight of the city. The growing prestige of the race has made it so that it will soon be added to the World Major circuit for Age Groupers.

Bonus: Malta Marathon, Malta

Period: February

Temperature: average Max 16° (60 f) / Min 9° (48 f)

Course Record:  Men: 2:16:06 (2013), Women 2:40:28 (1994)

The Malta marathon is downhill with a 200 meters descent. In case it's not obvious, running the entire marathon downhill is a great way to give a boost to your performance. Don't expect this to count as a Boston qualifier. Needless to say, top athletes rarely race Malta which makes comparing course records futile. It's still a very fun race getting more and more popular every year.  

A lot of people think of Triathlon as one thing. However, this sport comes in many forms (distances).

Most Common Triathlon Distances

Here is a list of the most common Triathlon distances - indicated as swim/bike/run in km and miles:

• Super Sprint: 400m/10km/2.5km (0.24/11.2/1.55 miles)
• Sprint: 750m/20km/5km (0.5/12.4/3.1 miles)
• Olympic (aka Standard or 5150): 1500m/40km/10km (0.93/24.8/6.2 miles)
• Middle (aka Half): 2.5km/80km/20k (1.2/56/13.1 miles)
• ITU Long: 3km/80km/20km (1.86/49.6/12.4 miles)
• Full (aka Ironman): 3.8km/180km/42km (2.4/112/26.2 miles)

The recommended distances for novice triathletes are typically Super Sprint and Sprint. However, you are the best judge for what motivates you and what makes a good challenge.

Shorter distances can either be "Draft legal" - especially those on the ITU calendar - or "No-Draft". Longer distances - such as those of the Ironman and Challenge brand - are always No-Draft.

Some of these distances can vary depending on the race. In particular, ITU Long varies in length between a double Olympic to an Ironman. 2019's ITU World Championships in Pontevedra will include a 3km swim, 112km bike, and 30 km run.

With that said, I wish you good luck with your next race.

Start small but don't be afraid to dream big!

Finding the perfect gift for a Triathlete or Ironman can be a daunting experience. They seem to be always looking forward to a new gadget and yet it's so hard to find something they don't already have.

As a Triathlete myself, it's been fun to research gift ideas for friends over time and also ask my parents and family to buy specific gifts to me. That's why I'd love to share with you my favorite resources to find amazing gifts for triathletes.

1. Google 

Image source: Google Doodle

Honestly, I don't think for most people there really is any need to mention this, but I often find myself having a hard time researching something to then realize that Google can be so useful.

If you can't find good ideas, here are some tips:

• brainstorm different keywords ("gift for triathletes", "for ironmen", "gift ideas")
• combine them with some context or other hobbies (such as "mountain", "diy" or "winter")
• add an adjective ("funny", "ironic"), or object (t-shirt", "book", "gear")
• don't forget synonyms and related words such as "present" vs "gift" and "triathlete" vs "triathlon" and related sports ("swim", "bike", "run") or events ("ironman finisher", "norseman", "marathon").
• Finally, use all of the different features of Google's search box such as Google Shopping, Images, etc.

2. Amazon

Amazon is such a gold mine for finding just the right gift. It has everything from books to specialized cycling gear, funny t-shirts and more. The downsides are that it can feel overwhelming and it has lately received a lot of bad rap for "fake reviews" so it can be hard to judge the quality of what you're buying.

3. Etsy

Etsy is an amazing option for customized gifts and handmade goods. You can find anything including t-shirts, customized bracelets, key rings, bags, canvas, prints. A popular idea might be a medal holder or a frame for race bibs. However, do make sure the gift receiver doesn't already own one!

4. Finisher Zone

Finisher Zone is a newer brand that offers both Triathlon tips and a wide selection of Triathlon inspired gifts. The site has no ads so gifts are what keeps it running. If you'll buy from them (us!), you'll be doing good not just to a Triathlete, but to the entire Triathlon community 😇. You'll find casual and funny tees, sweaters phone cases, mugs, and much more.

5. Wiggle

Wiggle is a large online retailer that sells pretty much anything a Triathlete might need for swimming, cycling or running. This is a good option for gear such as a Triathlon watch, sports clothing, etc.

If you run out of ideas (or are not sure what to buy), you can always opt for a gift voucher and let your favorite Triathletes choose themselves!

Wiggle ships worldwide from the UK but you can obviously also look for a local alternative (or better, a local shop!)

6. BuySubscriptions

Have you considered a magazine subscription? If you find them a bit old style, there's a good chance that your favorite Triathlete still loves browsing them - just like many fashion goers love fashion magazines. They are full of tips, inspiring stories, and the latest gear to finish a little faster!

7. Rapha 

Rapha is a luxury cycling apparel brand that became famous for their very active "local clubs" and rides. Besides having a wide range of (expensive) cycling apparel, they also offer cycling holidays in some of the most fascinating cycling locations. In their garments section, give a longer look at the commuting collection if your Triathlete is one that often cycles to work or would like to do so more often.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? Contact us here or or via facebook @finisherzone

As you noticed, triathlon gear can cost a fortune which high end bicycles costing more than a car. But it need not be this way! There is indeed a way to start this amazing adventure without getting into debt!

First of all, forget about the high-end gear. There is no need to invest so much if you don't know how long you are going to stick with Triathlon anyways. On top of that, the truth is that the top gear you can buy only gives you marginal gain on the basic stuff.

In fact, our main recommendation is to start with what you already have! Just make it work for your first Triathlon. It's about finishing it anyways - not making the new world record.

So, we've collected the essential gear you need so that you don't need to stress and bail-out before you even started.

Swim

• Swimsuit: you might already have this in your wardrobe. Beach shorts and bikinis are not ideal as you won’t be able to move as comfortably as you want to. 

• Swim goggles: this is another piece that you might have already but if you need a new pair, it’s a good idea to try on a few models so that they will fit you and they won’t leak.

Bike

• Bicycle: You will definitely need one, preferably a road bike. However, there's no need to be discouraged if you don't have one. A mountain bike is a perfectly legitimate option to start with. If you don't have one either, a great option is to find a used bicycle from someone you know or through an ad listing site such as gumtree, ebay, or whatever is your most popular local ad listing website.

• Helmet: this isn't just for your own safety. It's actually required to participate in any triathlon. The variety of available products is huge, but you can get a good and safe one for £20 from an online store like Amazon or Wiggle. Helmets come into sizes, so if you want to try before buying, visit your local bike shop and support their business. Google Maps is a good way to find one.

• Bicycle shoes: this isn't essential at all. In fact, if this is your first triathlon, we'd recommend you cycle with your running shoes on. Besides, you already have a lot of gear to think about!

Run

• Running Shoes: this is actually quite important. Running shoes is a thing. Just your average "casual" or "sports" shoes might not actually be ideal for running and cause you blisters and pain. If you're new to running, visit a local running shop. Preferably one that does "gait" analysis and has a treadmill to watch you run. This way, you'll be sure to get the right one.
• Clothing: you just need a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Make sure you get comfortable running and cycling on them well before your first triathlon. If you need to save money, you can get really low prices online (Amazon or Wiggle), at local discount stores (Lidl) or sports retailers (Decathlon).

So there you have it! That’s how you can find gear for your first triathlon on a budget. :)

How far do you swim in a Triathlon?

This is a common question among wannabe triathletes. Swimming is, of the three sports, the one that many consider the most challenging one, or at least the scariest.

There isn't a single answer since there are so many distances for Triathlons as the swim can very in length from 400 meters (or yards) to 3.8 kilometers (2.3 miles). However, we have grouped some of the most common ones.

400 meters (pool based or Super Sprint)

400 meters is a common distance for triathlons where the swim is done in a swimming pool and for the Super Sprint distance (often referred to also as "Tri a Tri"). This distance may vary also depending on the size of the swimming pool, with 400 yards being another common distance. 

750 meters (Sprint)

750 meters is the typical swimming distance for a Sprint Triathlon. It's uncommon for a Sprint triathlon to have a different distance for the swim unless the competition is run indoors. In miles, it's 0.46 miles.

1500 meters (Olympic or Standard)

The swim for the Olympic distance, also sometimes called "Standard", is 1500 meters, or 0.93 miles. This is the most standard distance of all and is the one completed by athletes at the Olympic Games and the World Triathlon Series. Pool based Olympic distance Triathlons are quite uncommon.

1900 meters (Half or Middle)

The typical distance of the swim in a "Half" Ironman, or "Middle" distance is 1900 meters, or 1.2 miles. Keep in mind that Ironman is a copyright of the "World Triathlon Corporation", the company that owns the Ironman brand. Their "Middle" distance events are called "Ironman 70.3" whereas other events and brands will typically refer to "Half" or "Middle".

3800 meters (Full or Long)

In a "Full" Ironman, or "Lond" distance, the swimming part lasts for 3800 meters, or 2.4 miles. The World Triathlon Corporation refers to this distance as simply "Ironman" whereas other events and brands will use the terms "Long", "Full". Some events use a variation of the word "Man", such as Norseman, Israman, Elbaman, etc. However, keep in mind the use of the word "Man" doesn't necessarily indicate a specific distance. Norseman is an "Extreme" full distance triathlon whereas Israman has both a full and a middle distance race.

Adventure Races and Other

The truth is that there are many races and triathlons out there, way more than a single blog post could ever contain. The swim distance may vary depending on the location, condition, and at times a swim could be shortened or moved indoors in case of adverse weather conditions.

Now, you can say you know all of the swimming distances in Triathlon.

We are starting something new! Just like the quote says, you only fail when you stop trying.

We're launching Finisher Zone!

Originally we wanted to make this a blog. When we started Triathlon, it was hard to find beginner-friendly information about Triathlon. Also, we felt overwhelmed with the number of things you needed to learn and master to be able to participate in endurance sports.

However, time passed and we started thinking.. how do you make yourself heard in the universe of the "interwebs"? With so many magazines, blogs, facebook groups, forums and other sources of suggestions on the internet, how can you talk to people when you don't have an audience?

Also, is this really the best way we can add something to the world of endurance sports? With so many experts and coaches, can we really say something that hasn't been said already? We wanted to make something truly different, something that would add value.

Can you really make money with a Blog?

Can you really sustain a blog nowadays? We're not sure. Long are the times when you could just start writing on the internet, put some ads on it and make a profit. If we wanted to keep doing this in the long term, we needed to find something that could sustain itself.

T-Shirts, really?

At some point along the process, we started designing T-Shirts of our own. We were annoyed at how "Finisher T-Shirts" or gift triathlon t-shirts are really so full of logos and brands that you end up being an advertisement running around.

Don't get this wrong, our first IM Finisher t-shirt and our first Marathon Finisher t-shirts will always be in our hearts. However, over and over we were disappointed by how those weren't t-shirts we would actually like to wear - and many triathletes seemed to agree with us. So we made some designs as a joke, as a gift. We chose blank t-shirts, printed our designs on them and that was it. Also, we started wearing them.

Then something incredible happened.

Our friends loved them and other athletes at Triathlons started asking about these hilarious t-shirts. Everyone was so excited! So we started making t-shirts for them, too. 

So what is this? A blog? A store? Something else?

We aim to be all of that. We are making funny t-shirts you can buy for yourself or gift to your friends and we want to write our stories, our reviews, and our tips.

We want your feedback!

Let us know what you think! By email, through social media, at our next triathlon, or by pigeon post. We will be tremendously grateful. At the end of the day, we are just endurance athletes who want to keep Triathlon fun and get more people to do it.