When people begin preparing for a triathlon, especially those who have limited to no experience, they place all their attention on the three stages, which is obviously logical. If you can't compete in the three events, why do it? But, often people forget to consider the time between the events—the transitions, those precious seconds and minutes that can have a remarkable impact on your the overall performance. Practicing these changes between stages can not only enhance your time, but can also make the race much more enjoyable.

Transition One, the time between you exiting the swim and climbing on your bike, is generally the longer of the two. It begins as soon as you leave the water and start the short run to where you have stored your bike and cycling equipment. Once you arrive, you should have already pulled down the top of your wetsuit and removed your swim cap and goggles. The gear you need—a towel, cycling shoes, socks, helmet, sunglasses, hydration supplies, race belt—should be laid out in a manner that is efficient and logical. During your training, you should have practiced for this moment to the point where it becomes routine. You do not want to have to think yourself through everything after a long swim; instead, it all should happen out of repetition, so practice, practice, practice.

Transition Two, the time between the bike and the run, normally does not take as long as the first transition, but it is equally important. As you pull in on your bike, you should have already visited the area during your pre-race check; this way you know the exact row and place to rack your bike and pick up your racing shoes. Once the bike is set and your shoes are on, grab a quick drink or gel pack and get moving. Your legs will feel funny after pedaling for miles, which is where your practice comes in. You should know this feeling and how to deal with it. If you need to stretch for a moment, do so.

Build transitions into your training and race day will go much smoother. Not only will your time reflect it, but your body will also thank you.

Running a marathon is not always for the professionals. Beginners also can get in on the fun. A good starter marathon is the Newport Marathon on the Oregon coast. While this is a good qualifying race for the Boston marathon, the Newport Marathon is calm enough for novices. This race is mainly on flat terrain, with just one small hill that's about 40 feet high. The path is pretty much asphalt. In this simple, but fun marathon, runners can experience the great scenery of Yaquina Bay State Park. The supposed haunted lighthouse is another popular feature. This is where the race starts.

Since the terrain is not exactly rough, the best shoes are those that are designed for asphalt and city life. They also should be lightweight, durable enough for running, and should have an active, but comfortable fit. High performance walking shoes often will work for a race like this.

Getting back to the race, runners can expect very short hills through the city of Newport. Run from the bay to the neighborhoods. City houses, shops, as well as a fishing village all are a part of the interesting scenery to be encountered. The Newport Marathon race is a loop around the city. Therefore, the start and the finish are essentially in the same location. The river estuary provides for a great view while participating in the race.

Weather for this race averages around 50 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A windbreaker would be a good idea in this type of racing condition. Since running requires plenty of movement, the windbreaker should be loose enough for movement, but snug enough to stay in place. Basically, look for a perfect fit in this case. Bulky clothing could get in the way during running, so be sure it also is lightweight.

Once the race is over, many like to enjoy the various restaurants located along the marathon course. If energy levels are still up, consider a walk along the water's edge to enjoy the bridge, the lighthouse, and other natural beauty. If all you want to do is rest, instead consider a picnic in the beautiful Yaquina Bay State Park.

SOURCE:
http://www.newportmarathon.org

For the average weekend warrior, or for those just entering the sport, throwing on a pair of sneakers and lumbering through a local 5k on a Saturday morning with the primary motivation of the free juice and bagels at the finish is enough. However, for those who experience the "itch," the continuous desire to get out and run, the sport becomes a healthy obsession. Runners begin to scrutinize each detail in an effort to streamline their performances, so finding legitimate ways to go faster becomes a priority. For some, the answer comes in the form of racing flats.

Yet before whipping out the credit card in hopes of shaving off a few precious seconds, consider a few ideas. First, how experienced are you? If you are just beginning, you will see no real difference, as your strength and endurance simply do not yet exist, not to mention the fact that you may very well injure yourself with a smaller, less supportive shoe. Second, think about your goals. Do you run to finish, or do you compete to cut time? Third, what distance do you want to run? Shorter events tend to favor the racing flats, whereas normally only elite runners can manage these shoes over a marathon distance.

If racing flats fit what you want, there are distinct advantages. Initially, you will feel psychologically quicker. Warming up in trainers and then putting on what will feel like feathers will do wonders for your confidence. Aside from the mental boost, racing flats will actually make you faster. Approximately one second is gained per mile for each ounce you subtract from the shoe. Since the average racing flat is roughly five ounces lighter than the standard sneaker, you should save about five seconds per mile. Multiply that over your desired distance and you will see a considerable improvement.

Take the time to decide if they are right for you, but remember that racing flats do not take the place of trainers. Flats should only be used on race day or for short jogs to break them in. Best of luck.

Who says kids can't be adventurers, too? The Youth National Championship is held annually in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There are separate events, according to age group and experience. Children ages 7 - 15 can participate in marathons and triathlons suited to their skills.

The Youth Triathlon is for kids aged 7 - 15. For this particular triathlon, no prior triathlon experience is required. This is a great race for beginners because it is non-drafting and anyone can participate. Activities for 7 - 10 year-olds include the 100-meter swim, 5K bike and 1K run. Kids aged 11 - 15 will instead do the 200-meter swim, 10K bike and 2K run. Even though it is for beginners, kids should still have some type of pre-training, just so that they are prepared for this type of activity.

For kids with a little more experience, there are the Youth Elite National Championship Race and the Junior Elite National Championship Race. These triathlon races are for kids aged 13 - 15, who have had prior experience. Both are draft-legal races. The swim, bike and run are more challenging than in the Youth Triathlon.

For all of these events, kids will need the right shoes and the right gear to help them go the distance. Triathlon-quality shoes should be sturdy, flexible, comfortable and lightweight. They also should have plenty of skid-proof traction, as well as shock absorption. Clothing for running and biking should be comfortable and keep the skin dry and cool. Clothing should be lightweight and snug. The child should be able to move freely in the clothing, while gaining protection at the same time.

For swimming events, choose suits that are snug and protect against the sun. There are suits that are specially designed for shielding against the sun. These would be great for outdoor competitive events, such as those at the Youth National Championship.

Parents, don't be afraid to try out various clothing and shoes while your child is preparing for this type of event. This will ensure that when the time comes to compete, your child is in optimal comfort and protection.

Source:
http://usatriathlon.org/event/event/100

"Practice makes perfect" is a statement we've all heard since childhood. Our mother said it to us when we were memorizing our ABC's. Then, a music teacher reminded us later that practice makes perfect as we were trying to learn a song. And finally, we reiterated this statement to ourselves as we tackled a challenging task at work. Well, this statement holds true for many aspects of life including training for a marathon.

It seems simplistic to tell anyone who is willing to run a marathon to train for it. Yet, whether you are a new or seasoned runner, you can make a mistake when it comes to training for a marathon. For example, if you are new, you might not train regularly or rigorously enough. Conversely, if you are a seasoned runner, you may over train and hurt yourself. So, it's important to really think about the marathon you want to run and to do a few things. Here are a few helpful tidbits:

#1 - Go to the Website of the marathon you plan on running and get tips on how to train. Most marathon websites have them, so take advantage of the help.

#2 - Train on a course similar to the one you will run in the marathon. So, if you have to run up steep hills, train on them. If you have to run on a flat course, train on them. If the weather is rainy throughout the upcoming marathon, learn how to run in the rain.

#3 - Ask a running coach to help you create a running schedule. It should be customized to your level of fitness. Weak runners should start training for a marathon at least six months in advance in order to build endurance. Strong runners can start training for a marathon four months in advance in order to learn a different running course.

#4 - Tweak your training as time goes along. If you hurt yourself, don't run for a few days until you feel better. If you can't seem to get up a hill, focus more on tackling it. In other words, change how you train as necessary.

These four tidbits will help you "perfect" yourself for the marathon you plan on running. Make them part of your training regimen and you'll have great success and be able to tackle many types of marathons.

Think you can run a marathon or triathlon? How about the *Rock n' Roll marathon*? This event in San Diego, California, features bands and the chance to dance at various points throughout the race. There also are cheerleaders along the way to keep the runners and dancers motivated.

This annual event is for runners of all experience levels, so don't let inexperience stop you if you're revved to go. Those 2,000 cheerleaders and the 19 aid stations will help keep you going. Can't run? That's alright. This race also is open to walkers. The point of this race is to have fun while also supporting a cause. To run a race like this, don't forget that you're going to need some practice ahead of time to warm your body up, especially if this is not something you do on a regular basis.

Since you're going to be doing a combination of dancing, walking, and running, be sure your footwear will be helpful for all three of those. Running socks are a great choice, as they help draw moisture away from the body. They also can be treated with antibacterial properties to keep odors and fungus at bay. Because you will be running, dancing and walking, you'll want a shoe that not only is built for running, but is lightweight and flexible enough for the dancing and walking. Generally, you should look for running shoes, but they should be a variety that is lightweight, flexible and contain plenty of shock absorption and support.

Once you've chosen your ideal socks and shoes for the event, also be sure you've got some good running clothing. It should be lightweight and breathable, built to wick away moisture. All that running, walking and dancing can build up quite a sweat, but if you wear the right clothing, much of that can be prevented.

For pre-practice, consider jogging around your neighborhood, stopping at intervals to dance to your favorite MP3s. Neighbors might point and stare, but so what? If so, let them know what you're doing and invite them along. The more, the merrier, right?

Sources:
http://www.rnrmarathon.com/home.html
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1609224&assetId=d1f56a35-41da-435a-b3cb-4140d3aeb602

Remember when you were a kid and you were facing off with another kid at the dodge ball pole? Your friends were cheering you on, and it energized you. It made you feel like you could win even if you'd lost every prior game to your opponent. This kind of support is important in every area of sports - including running.

When you train for a marathon, it's important to build up a support team. You need at least one other person to encourage you to prepare and finish the marathon you plan on running. This person doesn't have to be another athletic individual (although it helps). They just have to be someone that you respect and won't be afraid to be honest with you. Here's a list of folks to ask and how they can help you:

1) Your spouse can help you get up and do early morning runs and eat healthy.
2) Your best friend can run with you on a few days (or ride a bike) and make training more fun.
3) Your favorite sport's store clerk can give you advice on what kind of clothing and shoes to wear while training and running for the marathon.
4) Your doctor can give you a check up at the beginning of your training to make sure you're in good enough health to run a marathon.
5) Your personal trainer can help you plot out how many miles you should run a day in order to build up to the marathon.
6) You can help yourself stay encouraged to run by getting enough sleep and staying positive.

As you see, there are many ways people can support you in a marathon. In order to improve your chances of actually applying for, starting and finishing one, it is in your best interest to unite them all together. You'll see that success will be much sweeter in the company of your friends.