"I was going to sign up for Ironman Wisconsin, Ironman Arizona, or Ironman Coeur d'Alene but I heard it's sold out." Or "I heard it's like 900 bucks."
Ironman races are extremely popular. For some you have to be ready to sign up as soon as registration opens. Others require that you submit your name in a lottery. They can also be quite expensive after you take registration, travel and lodging costs into consideration.
"Do you know if that race is wetsuit legal?"
Depending on the temperature of the water at a race, wetsuits may or may not be allowed. You should always check the race website for details.
"I bonked."
Bonking is another term for "hitting the wall." This happens when triathletes literally run out of energy. It could be because they "went out too hard" or because they didn't eat enough to support their effort.
More: What You Need to Know About the Dreaded Bonk
"Yeah, Zone 4."
Training zones are a way to label or define the intensity of a workout. Zone 1 is typically an easy pace while zone 4 is an all-out effort that can't be sustained for more than a short period of time.
"My coach says I need to get my cadence up."
Cadence refers to the speed at which an athlete pedals their bike.The most efficient cadence is usually between 80 and 90 rpms (revolutions per minute).
"My Coach says?"
Given the amount of factors that need to be taken into consideration when training, it's common for triathletes to get a coach. The coach can take responsibility for outlining what the athlete has to do and why, so that the athlete can simply focus on the workouts.
More: Do I Need a Triathlon Coach?
"5 by 1 mile; 30 or 40 by 100; 3 by 5K; main set."
These are sample workout notes for running and swimming, however they are missing some important elements. Five by one mile indicates the athlete will run five miles at a pre-determined pace with rests in between each mile. Thirty or 40 by 100 suggests the athlete will swim 100 yards or meters 30 or 40 times. Three by 5K means running a 5K, at a pre-determined pace, three times with designated rests in between. A main set is the main part of the workout, usually flanked by a warm up and a cool down.
"Yeah, that reminds me of my first Ironman."
Triathletes can be a proud bunch, especially Ironman finishers. But wouldn't you be if you swam 2.4 miles, bikes 112, and ran a marathon all in the same day?
More: A Typical Ironman Training Week
Learn to talk the talk: Sign up for a triathlon.
