by Mark Jenkins, M.D.

This article is a continuation of the "Performance Shop" column in the September 2001 issue of Runner Triathlete News. For more details on planning a proper triathlon training schedule, please pick up a copy of the September 2001 edition of Runner Triathlete News.

Workout Types

Overdistance / distance: develops the necessary blood flow and aerobic systems required for sustained energy output.

Strength: resistance training designed to increase the structural integrity and power of the muscles.

Intervals: high density, repeated exercise bouts -- alternated with rest. Intervals are designed to push up the anaerobic threshold to allow for better aerobic capacity, and ability to produce power bursts when needed (e.g., hill climbing)

Specific Workouts

In addition to the traditional workouts offered by each of the three disciplines, triathlon offers a few fun twists.

Bricks: any combination of biking and running in the same workout. Some bricks are low aerobic (i.e., 20 miles easy bike, 5 miles easy run), while others are high intensity intervals [i.e., 3 x (10 min. hard bike, 1 mile hard run)]. Regardless, bricks are a heavy workout.

T1 and T2 drills: full speed, similated transition drills. These can be added at the end of any workout, and are a good thing to try when tired.