From your first sprint to your first IRONMAN — 100 questions answered, no jargon required. Whether you just signed up for your first sprint triathlon on a dare, you're a seasoned age-grouper chasing a Kona slot, or you're somewhere in between wondering why you own three bikes — this is the triathlon FAQ you've been looking for.

The biggest myth in triathlon is that it's for a certain type of person. The lean, chiseled, relentlessly athletic type who was probably a competitive swimmer in college and thinks nothing of 5am alarm clocks.

Couch To IRONMAN Finisher Starts Small. A 140.6-mile race. A 2.4-mile open-water swim, 112 miles on the bike, and a full marathon to finish. If you're sitting on your couch right now — and you haven't laced up your running shoes in years — that number sounds like a different language.

Your couch to beginner sprint triathlon training plan will run 12–16 weeks, follow a 3:1 build-to-recovery rhythm, and progressively develop swim, bike, run, and strength across coordinated weekly sessions.