47 triathlon terms explained, including brick, T1, bonk, negative split and Kona, each with a one-line definition.
Triathlon terminology is three sports stacked on top of each other, plus a vocabulary all its own for the parts in between. The words related to triathlon that outsiders never hear are the transition words, because no other sport charges you for the time it takes to change shoes. Words associated with triathlon training, from brick to taper, matter as much as the race words, and the triathlon glossary below explains both in one line each.
Must-Know Triathlon Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Aero bars
- Bonk
- Brick
- Drafting
- Ironman
- Olympic distance
- PR (Personal Record)
- Splits
- T1 (Transition 1)
- T2 (Transition 2)
- Time trial
- Transition area
- Ultraman
- Wetsuit
- Zone training
- Catch (Swimming)
- Pull buoy
- Aero helmet
- Clipless pedals
- Draft-legal
- Endurance
- Fartlek
- Gel
- Heart rate monitor
- Interval training
- Lactate threshold
- Open water
- Pace line
- Road bike
- Tri suit
Triathlon Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Aero bars | The forward extensions on a triathlon handlebar that let a rider rest on the forearms and cut wind resistance. |
| Aero helmet | A helmet shaped to reduce drag, often with a long tail, worn for the bike leg. |
| Age grouper | A non-professional competitor, ranked against others in the same five or ten year age band. |
| Aid station | A point on the bike or run course handing out water, sports drink and food. |
| Bonk | Running out of usable carbohydrate mid-race. Legs go heavy and pace collapses within minutes. |
| Brick | A session with two disciplines back to back, usually a bike ride followed straight away by a run. |
| Cadence | Pedal or stride rate, counted in revolutions or steps per minute. |
| Catch (Swimming) | The moment early in the stroke when the hand and forearm take hold of the water and begin to pull. |
| Chip timing | The timing band worn on the ankle that records each split as the athlete crosses a mat. |
| Clipless pedals | Pedals the shoe locks into, so power goes into the cranks on the whole rotation. |
| Cut-off | The time limit for a leg or for the whole race. Miss it and the day ends there. |
| Dismount line | The line at the end of the bike course where riders must be off the bike before entering transition. |
| DNF | Did not finish. The result recorded for an athlete who stops or is pulled from the course. |
| Draft-legal | A race format that allows riding in a group on the bike leg, which changes the tactics completely. |
| Drafting | Riding or swimming close behind someone to save energy. Banned on the bike in most amateur racing. |
| Duathlon | A run, bike, run race. The same idea as a triathlon without the swim. |
| Endurance | The capacity to hold an effort for hours, built slowly and lost quickly. |
| Fartlek | A run of varied pace, alternating harder and easier stretches without a fixed structure. The word is Swedish for speed play. |
| FTP | Functional threshold power, the wattage a cyclist can hold for around an hour. Training zones are set from it. |
| Gel | A sachet of concentrated carbohydrate taken during a race for fast energy. |
| Half Ironman | The middle distance, a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run. Also called 70.3 after the total in miles. |
| Heart rate monitor | A chest strap or watch sensor that reads beats per minute so effort can be steered by numbers. |
| Interval training | Alternating hard efforts with recovery, repeated to a set structure. |
| Ironman | The long distance format: a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile marathon, in that order. |
| Kona | The Hawaiian town of Kailua-Kona, long the host of the Ironman World Championship and shorthand for qualifying for it. |
| Lactate threshold | The intensity above which lactate builds in the blood faster than the body clears it. Training raises where that point sits. |
| Negative split | Covering the second half of a leg or a race faster than the first. |
| Olympic distance | A 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run. Also called the standard or international distance. |
| Open water | Lakes, rivers and sea, where triathlon swims take place. No lane ropes, no black line, and other swimmers in the way. |
| Pace line | A rotating line of cyclists sharing the work at the front. Common in training, not permitted in non-drafting races. |
| Power meter | A sensor in the cranks, pedals or hub that measures output in watts, the most direct measure of bike effort. |
| PR (Personal Record) | An athlete's own fastest time over a distance or a leg. |
| Pull buoy | A float held between the legs in training so the swimmer works the arms alone. |
| Road bike | A standard drop-bar bike, still the most common choice for shorter and draft-legal races. |
| Sighting | Lifting the eyes forward mid-stroke in open water to check the line to the next buoy. |
| Splits | The recorded times for each leg and each transition. |
| Sprint distance | The common short format, usually around a 750 m swim, 20 km bike and 5 km run. |
| T1 (Transition 1) | The change from swim to bike: wetsuit off, helmet on, bike out. |
| T2 (Transition 2) | The change from bike to run: bike racked, helmet off, running shoes on. |
| Taper | The planned reduction of training in the last week or two before a race, so the work already done can surface. |
| Time trial | Racing the clock from an individual start rather than head to head in a bunch. |
| Transition area | The fenced compound holding every athlete's bike and gear, and the only place kit may be changed. |
| Tri suit | The one-piece suit worn for all three legs, quick-drying in the water and padded enough for the bike. |
| Ultraman | A three-day event of a 10 km swim, a 421.1 km bike and an 84.3 km run. |
| Wave start | Sending athletes off in groups by age or category, minutes apart, instead of all at once. |
| Wetsuit | A neoprene suit worn for the swim. It insulates, but the buoyancy is what makes it faster. |
| Zone training | Splitting effort into bands by heart rate, power or feel, and training each band on purpose. |
#1 Aero Bars
A handlebar extension found on triathlon and time-trial bicycles, allowing the rider to assume a more aerodynamic position by resting their forearms and reducing wind resistance.
#2 Bonk
A term colloquially used in endurance sports, referring to hitting a wall or a severe drop in energy and performance due to glycogen depletion, often resulting in sudden fatigue and loss of strength.
#3 Brick
A workout that combines two disciplines practiced back-to-back, typically cycling followed immediately by running, to simulate the transition during a triathlon and condition the body for the shift in muscle usage.
#4 Drafting
Riding closely behind another competitor to conserve energy by taking advantage of the reduced wind resistance created by the leading athlete, which is a technique commonly used in the cycling leg of a triathlon.
#5 Ironman
A series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon 26.2-mile run, completed in that order without a break.
#6 Olympic Distance
A standard triathlon race distance also known as “international distance,” comprising a 1.5-kilometer (0.93-mile) swim, a 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) bicycle ride, and a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.
#7 PR (Personal Record)
In triathlon, a PR, or Personal Record, refers to an athlete’s fastest time achieved in a triathlon or any of its individual segments (swimming, biking, running) during official competitions. Achieving a PR is a significant milestone for triathletes, indicating personal improvement and achievement.
#8 Splits
Splits refer to the individual times recorded from each segment of the triathlon, swim, bike, and run, as well as transitions (T1 and T2). Tracking splits helps athletes gauge their performance across different parts of the race and manage their pace strategically.
#9 T1 (Transition 1)
The first transition in a triathlon, where athletes switch from swimming to cycling. Efficiency here can save valuable time, making it a crucial phase in the race for competitors.
#10 T2 (Transition 2)
The second transition phase in a triathlon, occurring after the bike portion and before the run. This transition requires athletes to quickly change gear and mindset to end the race on a strong note.
#11 Time trial
A race format where cyclists or triathletes start individually at set intervals, racing against the clock rather than in a direct head-to-head competition. It emphasizes steady pacing and aerodynamics over tactical group riding.
#12 Transition area
A designated zone in triathlons where athletes store their gear for transitions between swimming, cycling, and running. Good organization and speed in the transition area can shave off crucial seconds from an athlete’s overall time.
#13 Ultraman
An extreme long-distance triathlon consisting of a 10 km swim, 421.1 km bike ride, and an 84.3 km run, completed over three days. This event tests the ultimate limits of human endurance and mental fortitude.
#14 Wetsuit
A garment typically made of neoprene, which provides thermal insulation and buoyancy for triathletes during the swim portion. Wetsuits are designed to improve swimming speed by reducing drag in the water.
#15 Zone training
Zone training is a method used in triathlon training that involves dividing workout intensity into different zones, each characterized by specific heart rate ranges or perceived exertion levels. This technique allows athletes to train more effectively by targeting different endurance and strength aspects, leading to better race-day performance.
#16 Catch (Swimming)
In swimming, the “catch” is part of the stroke where the swimmer’s hand and forearm make initial contact with the water and start pulling through. An effective catch is crucial for efficient swimming, as it helps maximize the water pulled backward, propelling the swimmer forward more powerfully.
#17 Pull buoy
A flotation device used during swim training, placed between the legs to immobilize them, which allows swimmers to focus on arm technique and upper body strength. It’s essential for isolating the upper body’s contribution to propulsion in water.
#18 Aero helmet
An aerodynamically designed helmet that reduces wind resistance, often featuring an elongated tail. It’s a vital piece of gear for triathletes seeking to gain time advantages in the cycling segment of races.
#19 Clipless pedals
A pedal system that mechanically attaches a rider’s shoes to the bike, improving efficiency in power transfer. Popular among triathletes for their security and the ability to pull on the upstroke, contributing to a smoother pedal rotation.
#20 Draft-legal
A type of triathlon race where athletes are allowed to ride in the slipstream of competitors, reducing air resistance and saving energy during the cycling segment. It requires strategic positioning and can lead to faster bike splits.
#21 Endurance
The ability to sustain a physical activity over a long period, which is critical for triathlon performance. Endurance is built through consistent training and involves both cardiovascular and muscular stamina.
#22 Fartlek
A training technique originating from Sweden, featuring varied intensity intervals mixed within a continuous run. It helps improve speed and endurance by mimicking the irregular pace of competition, allowing athletes to push harder for shorter bursts.
#23 Gel
In triathlon, a gel refers to a type of energy gel, which is a carbohydrate-rich, gelatinous food designed to provide quick energy during long-distance races. These gels are easy to consume and digest, making them a popular choice for athletes to maintain energy levels, especially during the bike and run segments.
#24 Heart Rate Monitor
An electronic device worn by athletes to measure beats per minute, allowing for precise tracking of cardiovascular performance. It’s crucial for monitoring intensity levels and managing effort during training and competition.
#25 Interval Training
A method of training that involves alternating periods of high-intensity effort with less intense recovery periods. It’s highly effective for improving speed, cardiovascular fitness, and endurance in triathletes.
#26 Lactate Threshold
The exercise intensity at which the blood concentration of lactate and/or lactic acid begins to exponentially rise. Triathletes train to increase this threshold, enabling them to perform at a higher intensity for longer durations.
#27 Open Water
Refers to any body of natural water such as lakes, oceans, or rivers where triathlon swimming segments take place. Open water swimming presents challenges distinct from pool swimming, such as navigating and sighting.
#28 Pace Line
A formation in cycling where each rider takes a turn at the front before dropping to the back to draft off the others, allowing for more efficient energy usage. It’s common in team time trials, though not typically legal in individual triathlon races.
#29 Road Bike
A type of bicycle designed for speed and efficiency on paved roads, featuring a lightweight frame, narrow tires, and multiple gears. Road bikes are commonly used in the cycling leg of triathlons for their speed and handling.
#30 Tri Suit
A tri suit is a multi-functional garment worn throughout the swim, bike, and run portions of a triathlon. Designed to be aerodynamic, quick-drying, and comfortable, tri suits help reduce drag in the water and provide muscle compression and cushioning on the bike and run.
FAQ
What is it called when a triathlete runs out of energy?
Bonking, or hitting the wall. Stored carbohydrate runs down, the legs go heavy and pace falls away within minutes. It is prevented by eating and drinking on the bike long before it happens.
What is a bike and run workout done back to back called?
A brick. Riding and then running immediately afterwards teaches the legs to cope with the switch, which is the part of the race that catches out anyone who has only trained the disciplines separately.
What are the transitions in a triathlon called?
T1 and T2. T1 is the change from swim to bike, T2 the change from bike to run. Both are timed and both count toward the finishing time, which is why athletes practise them.
What is the shortest common triathlon distance?
The sprint distance, usually around a 750 meter swim, a 20 kilometer bike and a 5 kilometer run. It is the standard entry point before the Olympic distance.
What do you call someone who competes in triathlons?
A triathlete. Anyone racing without a professional licence is an age grouper, because results are scored within age bands rather than against the elite field.
They fall into the race (T1, T2, transition area, splits, wave start, DNF), the distances (sprint, Olympic, half Ironman, Ironman, Ultraman) and the training (brick, taper, intervals, zone training, fartlek). The triathlon glossary above covers all three.
What are some Triathlon terms for beginners?
“Aero bars,” “Brick,” and “T1 and T2” are some Triathlon terms beginners should start with. They denote equipment for aerodynamics, a workout combining two disciplines, and the two transition phases, respectively.
What are some funny Triathlon terms?
“Bonk” and “Fartlek” are some funny Triathlon terms sure to elicit a chuckle. “Bonk” refers to running out of energy, and “Fartlek” is a speed play training involving varying paces.
What is a famous Triathlon phrase?
“Swim, Bike, Run” is a famous Triathlon phrase that encapsulates the essence of the sport, highlighting the trio of disciplines each triathlete must conquer in sequence.
