The original triathletes were awesome. Dave Scott and Mark Allen completed amazing triathlon feats long before technology took over the sport. They did not have such indicators as we have today, and they, of course, did not have all the information gathering opportunities that we have. However, they established records and fought valiantly. In fact, Mark Allen still keeps the marathon record in Kona. Technology is a great triathlon friend, but it does have a flaw.
TECHNOLOGIES
Thus, the technology has taken all parts of the triathlon. One of the most widely viewed areas is the triathlon watch zone. Every year, new watches are available for purchase, which constantly increase the size for the triathler. My personal favorite is the Garmin 910XT. This watch gives me a heart rate, power (with a power meter), stimulation (with an extra tray), speed, cadence (with an extra cadence sensor), mileage, yards in swimming and more. Each of these measurements helps me in measuring my success or failure in every training and race.
The technology has achieved great success in bicycles and wheel parks. The amount of research going into these two subjects in the world of triathlon is incredible. Every year, new and exciting opportunities in aerodynamic speed on bicycles and wheel parks appear. In most cases, these technologies can use two different points of view. This was most apparent at the 2016 World Championships in Kon. Diamond Bikes introduced their Andean bike, which fills the entire space between the front tire and the rear tire with a solid one. Another bike debuted at Kona this year with a completely opposite idea. The Ventum bike destroyed the lower tube of the bike and made a vacuum space between the front tire and the rear tire with only the remaining upper tube. These are two different ideas about aerodynamics. This is one of the amazing things about technology advancement and one of the drawbacks.
Each piece of equipment in the triathlon is undergoing constant technological advances. Shoes, wetsuits, socks, food, hats, sunglasses, helmets, sports kits and anything else you can imagine. This world of technology in triathlon is not close to completion and will continue to pursue limits.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Triathlon technology is astounding. These new items are interesting and make each year different. There are new achievements that help triathlon go faster and longer. These new technologies help even the amateur triathlon go faster. Just buying new wheels can mean the difference between being on or on the runway. Improving shoes has helped many athletes avoid injuries affecting so much, such as plantar fasciitis. Technology will continue to help the sport get better and better.
DOWN IN TECHNOLOGY
The disadvantage of technology is that an amateur triathlete arrives in his local race, which is already unable to win, because someone has the money to buy some of the newest technologies. Largest purchases, such as wheelsets and bicycles, can be expensive for the average triathlete, and yet there are people who purchase these items at alarming rates. The amateur triathlete may also feel depressed in what to buy and what not to buy. Some elements of the technology are not worth the extra cost, because they do not reduce racing time significantly enough for what they cost. Now that these new technologies have passed some time, knockouts have begun to make products with lower costs. It will be interesting to watch the flow of these knockouts in the market and see how this affects the big tech boys.
If you are an amateur store triathletes smart and do not buy new gadgets just because they are new. Remember to invest in items that really will make you faster, and not just a trick.
