A triathlon is no small feat-train with guidance from a certified coach. Unlocking Triathlon is the ultimate tool every triathlete needs leading up to race day. Whether you have experience with one sport or all three, this guide aims to meet you where you are and build from there. Maybe you have already completed your first triathlon but feel like you have more to learn, or maybe this will be your debut race; either way, the information provided within this book will supplement the experience you already have and fill in the gaps across swimming, biking, and running. Author Alison Freeman is a triathlete, writer, and USA Triathlon Level III Coach who specializes in guiding beginner and intermediate athletes through their first triathlon experiences. This book equips you to train smarter, with skill and fitness development tailored to your goals, and prepares you for the details of race weekend: fueling, transitions, packing lists, and more. Use the highly structured training plans for sprint-, Olympic-, and half-distances to build the ideal season, with customization options to focus on areas in which you will need extra support. With essential training and skill techniques for swimming, cycling, and running, alongside race preparation, gear selection, plan adjustments, and training strategies, Unlocking Triathlon is your go-to guide for all things triathlon.
Alison Freeman is a triathlete, writer, and USA Triathlon Level III Coach who specializes in guiding beginner and intermediate athletes through their first triathlon experiences. She has completed nearly 40 triathlons, including six Ironman events and 15 half-distance events, and has qualified for USA Triathlon Nationals five times. In 2021, she finished fourth in her age group at Ironman Texas. As cofounder and principal coach at NYX Endurance, Freeman coaches athletes to their first finish lines at sprint-, Olympic-, half-, and full-distance races. She also leads beginner triathlon clinics in Boulder, Colorado, and developed an online course, The Ultimate Guide to Your First Triathlon, through NYX Endurance. Outside of coaching, Freeman is a frequent contributor to Triathlete.com, where she has written over 50 articles on training, skill development, and the athlete mindset. Her articles emphasize clear and practical instruction, and her writing uses a supportive and accessible tone. Freeman holds a BSE degree from Princeton University and an MBA degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Part I. Getting Started Chapter 1. Demystifying Triathlon Chapter 2. Choosing Your Race Chapter 3. Selecting Essential Gear Part II. Developing Triathlon Skills Chapter 4. Swimming Chapter 5. Biking Chapter 6. Running Chapter 7. Triathlon Skills Part III. Training for Triathlon Chapter 8. Developing Your Triathlon Fitness Chapter 9. Structuring Your Triathlon Training Chapter 10. Building Your Training Season Chapter 11. Executing Your Training Plan Chapter 12. Adapting Your Training Plan Part IV. Preparing, Competing, and Completing Chapter 13. Pre-Race: Planning and Preparation Chapter 14. Race Day: Strategy and Execution Chapter 15. Post-Race: What to Expect and What Comes Next Part V. Planning and Programming Chapter 16. Pre-Season Training Plan Chapter 17. Sprint-Distance Training Plan Chapter 18. Olympic-Distance Training Plan Chapter 19. Olympic- to Half-Distance Training Plan Appendix A. Workout Reference Guide Appendix B. Strength and Mobility Exercise Reference Guide
