Calgary Triathlon Training

Calgary, which is in the province of Alberta in Canada, features many advantages as well as environmental challenges for athletes who train for triathlons. To accommodate all skill levels, triathlons are typically offered in different formats such as Olympic, ITU--International Triathlon Union--Long, Half Ironman and Ironman. The difference in the formats is in the total distance covered in the three individual events that encompass a triathlon.

  1. Basic Differences and Rules

    • The entry level for triathlons--Olympic--consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim (1 kilometer equals .62 miles), a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run. At the most advanced level--Ironman--the distances increase to a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bike ride and a 42-kilometer run. While swimming, use any stroke you want, you even can stop and tread water. You cannot wear any type of propulsion device like flippers but you can wear goggles. For the bike, do not get on your bicycle until your helmet is secured. If your bike becomes inoperable, you must carry it as no forward progress can be made without it. The only rule for the run is you must continue forward progress walking or running.

    Triathlon Training Groups

    • In Calgary, there are a large number of triathlon clubs that offer membership, fellowship and the opportunity to train with other triathletes possessing common goals. Mount Royal College Triathlon Club, University of Calgary Triathlon Club and the Talisman Centre's Tri Club/Tri Swim are some of the many available groups to join.

    Swim Training in Calgary

    • The University of Calgary offers annual gym memberships to the public, which includes use of their Olympic-size pool. The U of C pool has a movable bulkhead that allows for setting of incremental lengths, including 2-by-25-meter (1 meter equals 3.28 feet) and 50 meters. Another option is Talisman Centre, offering professional instruction, four Olympic-size pools, a 200-meter running track and a cardio and weight training area that covers over 25,000 square feet. During its 25-year history, Talisman Centre has had more than 200 Olympic and world champion athletes train there, including Olympic gold medalists Mark Tewksbury and Carol Huynh.

    Dryland Training in Calgary

    • Calgary possesses a comprehensive bike path system that accommodates training for both beginning and advanced triathletes. The website Canadatrails reports that there are more than 220 kilometers of paved path throughout the city. This path system weaves its way throughout the city with extensive grade and elevation variations that present a challenging and diverse training arena.

    Calgary Geography and Weather Considerations

    • Calgary is near the Rocky Mountains with a relative elevation of more than 1 kilometer above sea level. Low oxygen levels at this elevation adversely affect breathing and heart rate until you're acclimated to it. Training in this environment can become an advantage at race time as most Ironman triathlons are run at sea level--near the ocean-- where oxygen is more plentiful and breathing and heart rate control are easier. Serious consideration must be taken for seasonal training in Calgary as winters are bitterly cold. With winter temperatures often minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Celsius--minus four to minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit--the training options can become limited to the indoors.