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What were triathletes talking about in 2024? If our most-read Triathlete stories of 2024 are any indication, the answer is "everything." Like our roundup of triathlon news that made 2024, the most popular gear, nutrition, and training articles run the gamut from beginner to veteran, short-course to long-course, and big ideas to tiny details. Here's what you and your fellow triathletes were reading and sharing most over the year.
In case you haven't heard: triathletes like bikes. It's a bit of an obsession, really. That's why it's no surprise that our annual roundup of the best triathlon bikes was a go-to article for readers. Whether you're looking to upgrade your current rig or just want to window-shop for fun (we get it), our detailed guide - written by editors who have actually ridden these bikes - is one to bookmark.
Fewer triathletes are gunning for the full Ironman these days. Instead, the half-distance, middle-distance or Ironman 70.3 is having a moment. In this analysis from journalist Tim Heming and data scientist Alfredo Molinas, we look at the trend and the bigger story behind the shift to middle-distance racing.
If you're reading this with a pre-swim espresso in your hand, our caffeine guide from sports-certified registered dietitian Susan Kitchen is for you. Kitchen takes a deep dive into what the science says about using caffeine in workouts and races, with practical advice just about any athlete can use if they're looking to get the best buzz.
Triathletes looking for free, legal speed found it in the form of chest fairings, which is a fancy way of saying "dropping your water bottle down the front of your bike jersey." Alas, the practice is no longer legal as of March 2024, but there are still places on your bike where you'll get speed advantages (and disadvantages) - we went to wind-tunnel experts to find out where, exactly, those places are.
Über-cyclists like Sam Long and Magnus Ditlev have succeeded greatly across the 70.3 distance. Dynamic runners like Anne Haug and Chelsea Sodaro have risen to the top in the 140.6. But which discipline is the best predictor of overall triathlon performance? We talked with the researchers who studied that exact question in a scientific way - and the answer may surprise you.
If you know someone whose 2025 resolution is to learn how to swim for a triathlon, don't start with technique or speed. Instead, heed this advice from coach (and former pro triathlete) Sara McLarty, who says brand-new triathletes often put the cart before the horse when it comes to learning how to swim. Her advice, plus a simple self-assessment to do in the pool, makes this one of the most important articles you can share with a new triathlete.
You've probably heard the term "training absorption" before, but do you know what it really means? Coach Olav Bu (yes, of the famed Norwegian Method) explains how to apply the principles of training absorption to maximize the work you're doing. Will it make you the next Kristian Blummenfelt? Probably not. But it might just make you the best triathlete version of yourself, and that's pretty impressive.
Most triathletes work out for the physical benefits - but it turns out all our training is pretty good for the brain, too. Neuroscientist Dr. Daya Grant shared the latest research on how triathlon training reshapes the brain, effectively making it "more aero" - which brings a whole new (and very cool) reason to keep showing up to masters swim.
The triathlon world was shocked when pro Tim O'Donnell announced he suffered a heart attack during a race in 2021 - but he's not the only one. From the cardiovascular conditions that ended the careers of fellow pros Greg Welch and Emma Carney to the delayed effects of what Dave Scott called "excessive long-distance training," heart health is a big and recurring concern for triathletes. In this sit-down with contributor Sarah Wassner Flynn, O'Donnell and Tim Reed, who recently underwent an ablation procedure, share what they learned from their respective heart-health journeys.
Stepping up to the half distance in 2025? Bookmark this one to review before the race. In this how-to for triathletes, coach Julie Dunkle lays out the essential rules to follow if you want to have a fun, successful debut at the 70.3 distance. (We cannot overstate how important rule number seven is.)
Just buying a piece of gear marketed as "aero" doesn't automatically make you more aero. In fact, wind-tunnel expert Geoff Eaker says a lot of triathletes make incorrect assumptions (and, in turn, mistakes) when it comes to getting aero, and it may be making you slower. The off-season is a great time to re-read this piece and dial in your setup before the 2025 season.
Ironman's decision to move to a two-day format with expanded slots for women for its Ironman World Championship opened the brand up to criticism that it had become "too easy" for women to qualify - something we debunked with our analysis of the 2023 qualifying field in Kona. Still, the sentiment of the women's age-group field becoming "watered down" with sub-par athletes pervaded into 2024, so we looked at stats from the 2024 qualifying field. Once again, the myth proved to be just that - a myth. Maybe 2025 will be the year it goes away?