| Term | Definition |
| 70.3 | Half Ironman distance (1.2mi/1.9km swim, 56mi/90km bike, 13.1mi/21.1km run) |
| 140.6 | Ironman distance (2.4mi/3.8km swim, 112mi/180km bike, 26.2mi/42.2km run) |
| 1/2 IM | Half Ironman (1.2mi/1.9km swim, 56mi/90km bike, 13.1mi/21.1km run) |
| Aero Bars | Handlebars which face forward (sometimes shifters are placed here) with places to put your elbows. These bars allow triathletes to maintain a very comfortable aerodynamic position |
| Aerobic Exercise | Any type of exercise, typically that performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time, that maintains an increased heart rate. Running a long distance at a moderate pace is an aerobic exercise, but sprinting is anaerobic. |
| Anaerobic Exercise | The initial phase of exercise, or any short burst of intense exertion, where the glycogen or sugar is consumed without oxygen-a far less efficient process. Examples of anaerobic exercise include weight lifting, sprinting, and jumping. |
| Anaerobic Threshold | The exercise intensity at which lactate (lactic acid) begins to be produced faster than it can be removed (metabolized), and it starts to accumulate in the blood stream |
| Base | The solid foundation of fitness on which you build power and speed. |
| Bonk | When you suddenly lose energy and fatigue sets in, usually caused when glycogen stores in the liver and muscles are depleted, resulting in a major performance drop. Also “hitting the wall”. |
| Brick | Commonly, a combination workout that includes a bike and run back to back. Comedically, “Bike/Run It Can Kill” or “Bike/Run Ick”. It can be any combination of triathlon sports with less than 10 minutes between sports. |
| Century | Bike ride of 100 miles |
| DNF | Did not finish |
| DNR | Did not race |
| DNS | Did not start |
| Dolphin Dive | Technique used to get through shallow water that is more efficient than wading. Involves doing short shallow dives, standing up, and repeating until you get deep enough to swim. |
| DQ | Disqualified |
| Drafting | The process by which one athlete follows directly behind another athlete. The athlete that is drafting gains an advantage (roughly 20%) by doing less work, but still travels at the same speed as the lead athlete. In most triathlons drafting is illegal on the bike, but it is never illegal during the swim. All world cup triathlon events and the Olympics are draft legal. |
| Duathlon | A race consisting of run, bike, run. |
| Fartlek | Swedish term meaning ‘speed play’ that is a relaxed method of interval training. |
| Goodie Bag | The bag of free stuff, coupons, ads, etc. you get when you pick up your race packet. |
| HR | Heart Rate |
| Interval Training | Any cardiovascular workout (e.g. biking, running, rowing, etc.) that involves brief bouts at near-maximum exertion interspersed with periods of lower-intensity activity |
| Lactate Threshold | The highest pace at which you can go for an extended period (>30 minutes) without building up lactic acid. |
| Lactic Acid | Lactic acid is formed from glucose, and used by working muscles for energy. It is thought that muscle cells convert glucose or glycogen to lactic acid, then lactic acid is absorbed and converted to a fuel by mitochondria in muscle cells. Lactic acid is what causes muscle soreness. |
| Ladder | An interval workout with progressively increasing then decreasing distances at each interval. For example, run fast for 400m, jog for 200m, run for 800m, jog for 200m, run for 1200m, jog for 200m, run for 800m, jog for 200m, run for 400m, jog for 200m. |
| Negative split | Finish the second half of a workout/race faster than the first half. |
| Olympic Distance | Olympic distance triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run) |
| Peloton | The large main group in a road bicycle race. |
| Periodisation | Varying the training levels over discrete periods of time to prevent overtraining |
| Split | Your time for a portion of your race or workout. For instance, your mile splits in a 5k are your times for each individual mile. |
| Sprint | Short distance triathlon. Approximately 400yard swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run |
| T1 | Transition 1-Change area between swim and bike |
| T2 | Transition 2-Change area between bike and run |
| Transition Area | Place where a triathlete keeps belongings (i.e., bike, wetsuit, running shoes) during a triathlon. This area is part of the race course. After a triathlete finishes their swim, they run to the transition area where they mount their bike. After the bike leg of the race is completed, the triathlete dismounts their bike (in the same spot they retrieved it) and begins the run portion. The race always ends at the finish line (usually near the transition area). |
| Transition Run | A short (around 10 minutes or 1 mile) run off the bike (as opposed to a Brick, which is usually a longer run). |
| Tri-Bike | A triathlon-specific bicycle designed for riding in the aerodynamic position. This bike features aero bars, a steep seat tube angle to put you farther over the cranks and allow for a comfortable aerodynamic position, and a very light weight. |
| TT | Time Trial (usually in reference to cycling) |
| VO2 Max | The highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized during exercise by a person. |
| Waves | When a race does not start en masse, the RD will break it up into groups called waves. Often separated by gender and AG’s. |
