| Term |
Definition |
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Aero:
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Short for "Aerodynamic." "Getting Aero" typically means being in the full forward position, using your aerobars.
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Aerobic:
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Exercise involves using the same large muscle group for a period of at least 15-20 minutes while maintaining around 60-80% of your maximum heart rate (called your Target Heart Rate).
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Anaerobic:
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Means "without oxygen" and refers to exercise performed using stored energy as opposed to straight oxygen. In anaerobic exercise, the fuel for energy called ATP is used up quickly so the exercise can only be repeated for a short amount of time until ATP is restored.
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Athena:
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Female weight category for the gravitationally gifted
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Attack:
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A sudden acceleration to move ahead of another rider or group of riders.
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Bodymark(ing):
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Getting your race day number either markered-on or stamped-on your body for easy identification.
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Bonk:
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Hit "the wall", run out of energy due to inadequate fuel intake
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Break/Breakaway:
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A rider or group of riders that has left the main group behind.
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Brick:
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A two-sport workout, one immediately following the other. Most often it means a bike followed by a run
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Carbo load:
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Cramming down carbohydrate-rich foods in the day(s) prior to an event
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Clincher:
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Wheels using inner-tubes and stay secure due to the tire bead/rim relationship and air pressure.
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Clydesdale:
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Male weight category for the gravitationally gifted
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DNF:
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Did not finish
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DQ:
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Disqualification
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Draft:
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Following in the slipstream of another athlete, most often referred to on the bike, but also applies on the swim
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Drop/Dropped:
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When a rider has been passed by another, or left behind.
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Gap:
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The amount of time or distance between a rider or group of riders and another rider or group of riders.
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Half Ironman distance:
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1.93km (1.2 mi) swim, 90km (56 mi) bike, 21km (13.1 mi) run
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IM:
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Abbreviation for Ironman distance and fractions thereof (e.g. ½ IM)
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International distance:
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1-2km (0.62-1.2 mi) swim, 25-50km (15.5-31 mi) bike, 5.1-10km (3.2-6.2 mi) run
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Ironman distance:
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3.86km (2.4 mi) swim, 180km (112 mi) bike, 42km (26.2 mi) run
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ITU:
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International Triathlon Union, the international governing body of triathlon.
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Long distance:
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2-4km (1.2-2.5 mi) swim, 50-100km (31-62 mi) bike, 10-30km (6.2-19 mi) run
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Negative split:
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Running the second half faster that the first half
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Olympic distance:
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1.5km (0.93 mi) swim, 40km (24.8 mi) bike, 10km (6.2 mi) run
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On your left:
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What you should say as you attempt to pass another biker
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Penalty:
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Infraction given if caught breaking rules of races (e.g. drafting, littering)
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Road Rash:
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Skin abrasions resulting from a fall or crash onto the road.
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Saddle:
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The bike seat.
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Sag:
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Vehicle for the rides carrying various gear, food and first aid supplies
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Sprint distance:
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0.3-1km (0.24-0.62 mi) swim, 8-25km (5-15.3 mi) bike, 1.5-5km (1-3.1 mi) run
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Swag:
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Stuff We All Get - It is free handouts from the sponsors. (pronounced "Shwag")
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T1:
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Swim-to-bike transition
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T2:
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Bike-to-run transition
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Tri bike:
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Bicycle specifically designed for triathlons, characterized by steep seat tube angle, 650c wheels, and a very "forward" position, all geared toward improving the rider's aerodynamics and efficiency
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Tubular:
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Wheels that do not have an inner-tube and are glued on the rim to hold them in place.
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USAT:
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Union States of America Triathlon, the national governing body of triathlon.
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Wave:
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Groups of athletes starting together at the swim portion of a triathlon. One wave of athletes could be pros, while another could be women between 30 and 39
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