Triathletes
Time Trialing is Also for You!
Cycling in terms of time is the most important part of a triathlon with the cycle leg often taking up over 50% of the total time of the race. Few triathletes have a cycling background compared to swimming and running. For this reasons it is well worth focusing on the bike if you are looking to improve your triathlon times. For the triathlon bike leg there is no better training than a time trial as it replicates the type of effort that you should be doing in the race. If you are able to race a few time trials throught the season it is very useful way of gaining cycling fitness, speed and confidence.
tHE TIME TRIALS at Charlotte Motor Speedway provides Triathletes an excellent opportunity to train for the bike leg of a triathlon. You already have the bike and will be training. Why not ride the time trial events and see how you compare month to month or against your training partners? These time trials gives you an opportunity to measure your training efforts over the months and to determine if your bike speed is increasing and you are on course to peak for your target triathlon event(s).
The following are some suggestions a Triathlete may want to consider when riding the Time Trials at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- Before the event, find an area where you can run after you complete your time trial. Just remember, you will not be able to run on the NASCAR track. However, there are a number of areas behind the pit road that are suitable for running.
- Warm up for the time trial at the same level you will enter the bike segment of the triathlon.
- Consider setting up your bike the same as you will be riding it during the triathlon. If you will be carrying food, water or a spare tube, do the same at the TT event.
- As Triathletes you need to avoid going 100% anaerobic during the time trial. You should be able to complete the ride and immediately begin your run just like you will during your triathlon event.
- Your objective should be to use the same heart rate and intensity that you will use at the triathlon event.
- Weather permitting, wear the same race outfit you will use during the bike leg of the triathlon.
- One of the keys to increasing the bike leg of the triathlon will be your ability to increase your leg strength and spin a larger gear with a higher RPM.
- Use the time trials to try different components, gears, positions and cadence. You’ll be surprised what a little change can make to your bike leg. See what works best for you before you get to your target triathlon event.
