There’s no denying the rush experienced in crossing a finish line – especially if the effort in getting there pushed you to your most extreme limits of endurance. No guts, no glory indeed; it’s only at race’s end that this admittedly macho slogan suddenly rings absolutely true.

Yet for the beginner, the sheer physical ordeal represented by a competitive triathlon may seem overwhelming. Fear not, however; a triathlon, like any other challenge, is considerably less daunting once you’ve got the right tools for the job. And a triathlete’s toolbox consists not only of gear such as pumps, patch kits, and tire levers, but that which he puts to work for and upon his body – namely, his apparel.

We consulted with Dave Lipchen, a coach with the Manitoba Youth Triathlon Team and himself an enthusiastic triathlete (to say the least), for some expert tips on what you’ll need to stay in the race. The two must-haves? A waterproof watch/heart rate monitor and a quick-drying triathlon suit.

Unless temperatures are high, you will almost certainly require a full-arm, full-body Neoprene wetsuit, to be worn over top of your triathlon uniform. Goggles are another must, preferably either a tinted or mirrored pair to diffuse the glare of the sun from off the water’s surface. You might  consider picking up an additional pair of standard clear goggles for
training in a chlorine-filled pool. For the same reason, a wetsuit should be saved for competition or practice at the actual swim location, with a polyester swimsuit to be worn for training (note that one should always test any piece of equipment before the day of the race). You probably don’t need to worry about a swim cap – these are invariably supplied at a competition to separate you into a category or heat.

 Water Gear laser anti-fog goggles, $21.99. Nineteen Tsunami wetsuit, $469.99.
Swimming Matters, 1389 Grant Avenue, 489-1429.

The three essentials you’ll need for this leg of the race are helmet, sunglasses, and cycling shoes. Where shades are concerned, you should get a pair with multiple sets of removable lenses to be prepared for the varying brightness levels of the sun.   Regarding shoes, don’t just opt for a pair of standard runners – get yourself some dedicated cycling shoes, which are characteristically lighter and better ventilated, and are fastened to the pedals themselves. Another sensible investment is a lightweight cycling jacket in the event of high winds and/or lower temperatures; such a jacket can just as easily be worn for the subsequent running portion. For training purposes, you might also consider some cycling gloves, which contain gel packs to both protect your hands in case of an accident and reduce the stress of vibration.   Giro Monza road helmet, red/white, $119.99. Pearl izumi IP gel-lite tour glove, $34.95. Olympia Cycle & Ski, 326 St. Mary’s Road, 237-8909. Louis Garneau Tri Air II cycling shoe, silver/red, $149.99. Bikes & Beyond, 233 Henderson Highway, 669-5590. 2XU triathalon top, $69.99. 2XU triathalon shorts, $69.99. Swimming Matters, 1389 Grant Avenue, 489-1429.

The only additional item you’ll need specifically for this leg of the race is a pair of running shoes. Lightweight shoes are ideal, but if you’re not at least relatively seasoned in the running department you should probably think about a thicker, heavier sole; lightweight shoes are necessarily thinner and can harm your feet if they are not conditioned to the high stress impact involved in long distance running.      Salomon smart windstopper jacket, $199.99. Tifosi sunglasses, 100 per cent UVA & UVB, $79.99. Olympia Cycle & Ski,  326 St. Mary’s Road, 237-8909. Polar running heart rate monitor, $139.99. Saucony Fastwitch 2 running shoe, red/silver/white, $99.99. City Park Runners, 2091 Portage Avenue, 837-9242.

Join the Club

Thinking of accepting the triple threat of a competitive triathlon? Or just losing that winter fat? The following local organizations can help you with either (or both):

TRIBALISTIC  (tribalistic.ca)
Known affectionately as “The Tribe,” this 75-member team is probably Winnipeg’s most hardcore triathlon organization, and benefits from the involvement of nationally certified coaches.

TRIPLE THREAT (669-5590)
Founded in 1983 by Bikes & Beyond owner Phil Roadley, this organization was revived in 1995 as a lifestyle-based program for parents and a training program for their kids; today the club coach is Dave Lipchen. Primarily aimed towards adult beginners, Triple Threat also offers competitive training for members.

TRIFACTOR TRIATHALON CLUB (trifactor.org)
This 40-strong club welcomes members of all experience levels, and offers both fitness and competitive training programs.

TRI-FORCE TRIATHLON TEAM (triforcetriathlonteam.com)
A smaller, informal club that offers membership to both beginners and experienced athletes, as well as a two-week trial period before applying to join. 

KIDS OF STEEL / MANITOBA YOUTH TRIATHLON TEAM (triathlon.mb.ca,  925-5636)
Each province has its own version of Kids of Steel, which holds events that are much shorter than adult competitions and are aimed at kids aged 6-15; the Manitoba Youth Triathlon Team is aimed at kids aged 12-16. All Kids of Steel participants must have a Triathlon Manitoba membership.
 
The best single source of information for triathlon events in Manitoba can be found through Triathlon Manitoba’s
website at www.triathlon.mb.ca/event_calendar.htm .