CrossFit has value for a triathlete, if used strategically as part of training. Use it to help you identify muscle weaknesses and develop power.

The first Ironman triathlon was held in Hawaii in 1978, and only 15 athletes started the ultimate test of human endurance. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of triathletes competing in Ironman triathlons all around the world.

Chafing occurs with friction against the skin and causes uncomfortable irritation on the skin. A triathlon increases the risk of chafing because of the sweat and moisture generated during the race. The biking portion of the race leaves you exposed to chafing where the bike saddle rubs against your legs.

A duathlon is a run-bike-run event that offers a good way to join the multisport movement. These typically range in distance from a 2-mile run, a 10-mile bike and a 2-mile run to a 6.3-mile run, a 37.3-mile bike and a 6.3-mile run.

In the conventional five-member triathlon family, the mini or sprint triathlon is the baby of the bunch.

The distance of a triathlon is not necessarily the only factor in determining its toughness. The environment often plays a more important role. An ultradistance triathlon, of which the Ironman is the most recognized brand, includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.

You are required to display your race number at all times during a triathlon. Failing to properly display your race number can cost you a variable time penalty. This penalty can add two to 18 minutes to your time, depending on the length of your race and the number of offenses. Penalty times are cumulative.

An official sprint triathlon involves a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and 5K run. If you've signed up to take on this challenge, you may wonder what constitutes a respectable showing. Although you don't expect to hang with the leaders, you probably don't want to be struggling in the back either.

With more than 30 years of orthopedic history guiding its development, the Stryker Triathlon knee was released in 2005 as a single radius, high flexion knee replacement system.

A sprint triathlon is a challenging athletic event in which you have to swim a distance of 750 meters, run a distance of 5 kilometers and bike a distance of 20 kilometers. Although a well-designed training plan is essential for success in a sprint triathlon, proper nutrition is vital as well.

Racing a 70.3-mile triathlon, or a half-Ironman distance, is an investment of time and money. You'll need to commit to hours of swimming, biking and running weekly to successfully finish the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run before the eight-and-a-half-hour cut-off time.

You'll never have an easy 140.6-mile race, but proper training will get you to the finish line. An Ironman triathlon, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, is arguably the most grueling one-day competitive event you can enter.