Triathlon glossary: paceline, swimskin, sprint and more

The triathlon is one of the most challenging sports there is, as it requires exceptional physical and mental skills from athletes. Combining swimming, cycling and running in a single race, the triathlon tests competitors’ endurance, speed, technique and strategy.

Because it is so complex, the vocabulary of the triathlon is vast and includes specific terms that describe different aspects of competition, equipment, techniques and strategies. Understanding these terms is essential for anyone who wants to venture into this sport or follow competitions as a spectator;

With this in mind, we have created the triathlon glossary, which contains the main terms of the sport that you need to know in order to stay up to date with the sport. Check it out!

Glossário do triatlo — Triathlon glossary

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Triathlon glossary: complete list

Aerodynamics
Triathlon Bike (TT)
Drafting
Duathlon
Transition Equipment (T1 and T2)
Ironman
Open Water Swimming
Nutrition during the Race
Paceline
Peloton
Personal Best (PB)
Sprint Race
Rack
Active Recovery
Competition Rules
Tire rotation
Swimskin
Swimming Technique
Transition Time (T1 and T2)
VO2 max test
Time Trial (TT)
Transition
Trekking
Triathlete
Long Distance Triathlon
Olympic Triathlon
Sprint Triathlon
Training Zone
Zwift
Middle Distance Triathlon

Triathlon glossary: learn more about the terms

Aerodynamics

In triathlon, aerodynamics are crucial to minimize drag during the cycling stage, which can improve the athlete’s performance.

Triathlon bike (TT)

A triathlon bike is designed specifically for triathlon competitions and races against the clock. It has improved aerodynamic characteristics and a more aggressive riding position to improve the rider’s efficiency.

Drafting

Drafting is the technique of strategically positioning yourself behind another competitor during the cycling stage, reducing air resistance.

Duathlon

The duathlon is a variation of the triathlon that replaces the swimming stage with a second running stage. It usually consists of a run, followed by a cycling stage and another run.

Transition equipment (T1 and T2)

Transition equipment is the term used to designate the items and supplies needed to quickly change between the different stages of the triathlon.

Ironman

The Ironman is one of the longest triathlon distances, consisting of 3.86 km of swimming, 180.25 km of cycling and a marathon of 42.2 km of running.

Open water swimming

Open water swimming is an essential part of triathlon, where athletes face unique challenges such as currents, waves and varying temperatures.

Nutrition during the race

Adequate nutrition during the race is essential to sustain athletes’ performance throughout the different stages of the triathlon. This includes the intake of carbohydrates, electrolytes and fluids to maintain energy, hydration and prevent fatigue.

Paceline

Paceline is a formation of cyclists who take turns in the lead to reduce air resistance and increase efficiency during the cycling stage.

Peloton

A peloton is a group of cyclists who compete together during a cycling stage.

Personal Best (PB)

Personal Best, or personal best time, is the term used for an athlete’s best performance over a given distance or discipline.

Sprint race

The sprint race is a shorter version of the triathlon, made up of shorter distances compared to traditional races. It usually includes 750 meters of swimming, 20 km of cycling and 5 km of running.

Rack

A rack is a structure used in transition areas to store athletes’ bikes and equipment in an organized and safe way during the race.

Active Recovery

Active recovery is a training strategy that involves low-intensity activities, such as walking or light cycling, carried out between more intense training sessions to facilitate muscle recovery and reduce the risk of injury.

Competition rules

Triathlon competition rules are established by the International Triathlon Federation (ITU) and other regulatory organizations, setting standards for equipment, athlete conduct, penalties and other aspects of competition.

Tire rotation

Tire rotation is a common practice among cyclists that involves changing the position of the bike’s tires to promote more even wear and extend their life.

Swimskin

A swimskin is a tight-fitting, hydrodynamic garment worn by triathletes during the swimming stage, designed to reduce drag and improve buoyancy. It is a popular alternative to wetsuits in warmer waters and competitions that allow its use.

Swimming technique

Swimming technique is the different styles and movements made by athletes to swim efficiently and with speed.

Transition time (T1 and T2)

Transition time is the period between the end of one stage of the triathlon and the start of the next. Athletes seek to minimize transition time by practicing quick and efficient equipment changes and transitions between disciplines.

VO2 max test

The VO2 max test is a measure of an individual’s maximum aerobic capacity, which represents the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise.

Time Trial (TT)

A time trial is a competition in which athletes set off individually at regular intervals, racing against the clock instead of other direct competitors. It’s a common part of cycling competitions in triathlon, as it tests athletes’ ability to maintain a high speed consistently.

Transition

Transition is the process of changing from one discipline to another during a triathlon race. This includes the transition from swimming to cycling (T1) and from cycling to running (T2), when athletes must change equipment and mentally prepare for the next stage.

Trekking

Trekking is a form of long-distance walking on trails and over varied terrain. Although it is not an official triathlon discipline, its training can be incorporated into a triathlete’s physical preparation to develop endurance and muscular strength.

Triathlete

A triathlete is an athlete who competes in triathlon events, demonstrating proficiency in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running.

Long-distance triathlon

Long-distance triathlon is a variation of the sport that features longer distances in each discipline compared to Olympic triathlon. The distances can vary, but generally include 3 to 4 km of swimming, 120 to 180 km of cycling and a full marathon of running.

Olympic Triathlon

Olympic triathlon is the most common form of triathlon practiced in international competitions and at the Olympic Games. It consists of 1.5 km of swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running, challenging athletes in a fast and dynamic format.

Sprint Triathlon

The sprint triathlon is a shorter and faster version of the Olympic triathlon, ideal for beginners and athletes looking for a faster challenge. It usually consists of 750 meters of swimming, 20 km of cycling and 5 km of running.

Training zone

Training zones are specific ranges of heart rate or intensity of effort in which athletes train to improve different aspects of fitness, such as endurance, speed and strength.

Zwift

Zwift is an indoor cycling platform that allows athletes to train and compete virtually in realistic virtual environments. It is a popular tool among triathletes for indoor training, as it provides variety and motivation during cycling sessions.

Middle distance triathlon

The middle distance triathlon, also known as the Half Ironman, is an intermediate discipline between the Olympic triathlon and the full Ironman.

Triathlon glossary: complete list

Aerodynamics
Triathlon Bike (TT)
Drafting
Duathlon
Transition Equipment (T1 and T2)
Ironman
Open Water Swimming
Nutrition during the Race
Paceline
Peloton
Personal Best (PB)
Sprint Race
Rack
Active Recovery
Competition Rules
Tire rotation
Swimskin
Swimming Technique
Transition Time (T1 and T2)
VO2 max test
Time Trial (TT)
Transition
Trekking
Triathlete
Long Distance Triathlon
Olympic Triathlon
Sprint Triathlon
Training Zone
Zwift
Middle Distance Triathlon