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Brick: A session which usually includes running immediately after cycling.
Interval: A cardio training method that works the heart within the optimum training zone. It works the heart in the higher ranges then uses the lower range as recovery period; builds cardiovascular endurance.
Turbo: Indoor trainer with fan and flywheel, also know as windtrainer. Also available in magnetic and fluid versions.
Cadence: Bike pedalling speed or leg turnover speed - strides per minute.
Fartlek: Speed play – a form of continuous exercise with a hint of interval training
LT: Lactate Threshold – the point at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels during exercise of increasing intensity. Often represented as a percentage of VO2 max. A far more relevant measure of fitness and performance ability for endurance athletes than VO2 max.
VT: Ventilatory threshold – usually coincides with AT. The point at which you cannot supply enough O2 to meet the demands of the muscles.
ATP: Adenosine Tri-Phospate – the only fuel that the body can utilise for energy. All other energy sources (carbohydrate / glycogen, protein, fats) are broken down into this with, or without, the presence of oxygen.

HRM: Heart Rate Monitor.
MHR: Maximum Heart Rate.
LSD: Long Slow Distance – sub-maximal work designed to increase an athlete's endurance.
THRZ: Target Heart Rate Zone – a band of heart rate levels to work within for a given set or session. Different zones develop different components of fitness.
Set: Contains a number of repetitions.
AT/LT: Anaerobic Threshold – the workload or oxygen consumption level at which lactate production exceeds lactate removal by the liver, resulting in interference of muscular contraction(s).
Level 1: Moderate Intensity – for developing endurance and also used for recovery - below 70-75% MHR. You can train and talk easily at this level.
Level 2: 75-85% MHR – good for developing aerobic power. Talking for more than a few seconds is difficult.
Level 3: 85-95% – Intensity used to develop Lactate Threshold (LT). Talking is impossible, and saying anything other than a word is difficult.
Level 4: For developing VO2 max. Talk is nearly impossible.
VO2 max: The maximal amount of oxygen that the body can process in one minute. This is often considered to be the best relative measure of an athlete's fitness i.e., they have a VO2 max of 75.

Aerobic: Work that takes place in the presence of oxygen, under AT/LT (80/85% MHR).
Anaerobic: Work that takes place without the presence of oxygen AT/LT (approx. 80/85% MHR).
Send Off: During a set of intervals the athlete may be directed to start on a set time i.e. every 4 minutes for a 200m Freestyle repetition. If you could complete this in 3 minutes you would then have a 1 minute rest. May also be referred to as 'turnaround'.
Transition: Sometimes written as T1 (swim to bike) or T2 (bike to run). The short period of time between each discipline when equipment changeovers take place.
Repetition: One complete effort from start to finish. Often refers to a 400m rep or 1 mile rep for example.
Lactic Acid: A by-product of anaerobic work which inhibits muscle contraction.
Descend(ing): When each rep is faster than the previous one.
Periodisation: The practice of dividing up the training year into phases, each with a different emphasis.
Negative Split: When the second half of a rep is faster than the first.
Rest Interval (RI): The recovery time between sets or reps.

PUTTING SOMETHING BACK...
Volunteer Recruitment is key
As a sports coach I recognise more than most the need to support local clubs and regional events and races. Please consider volunteering to help with events. It really will make a difference. Firstly, your knowledge of triathlon will improve. Secondly, it will aid club committee members to continue their vital work for the long-term sustainability of our sport.

On behalf of RacingTNT Ambassadors & Event Organisers. Matt Norris, RacingTNT Head Coach
 
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