Description Table of Contents Author Excerpts Quotes A triathlon is no small feat—train with guidance from a certified coach. Unlocking Triathlon is the ultimate tool every triathlete needs leading up to race day. Whether you have experience with one sport or all three, this guide aims to meet you where you are and build from there. Maybe you have already completed your first triathlon but feel like you have more to learn, or maybe this will be your debut race; either way, the information provided within this book will supplement the experience you already have and fill in the gaps across swimming, biking, and running. Author Alison Freeman is a triathlete, writer, and USA Triathlon Level III Coach who specializes in guiding beginner and intermediate athletes through their first triathlon experiences. This book equips you to train smarter, with skill and fitness development tailored to your goals, and prepares you for the details of race weekend: fueling, transitions, packing lists, and more. Use the highly structured training plans for sprint-, Olympic-, and half-distances to build the ideal season, with customization options to focus on areas in which you will need extra support. With essential training and skill techniques for swimming, cycling, and running, alongside race preparation, gear selection, plan adjustments, and training strategies, Unlocking Triathlon is your go-to guide for all things triathlon. Audience Aspiring and novice triathletes seeking to enter and complete races and to excel in the sport. Part I. Getting Started Chapter 1. Demystifying TriathlonChapter 2. Choosing Your RaceChapter 3. Selecting Essential GearPart II. Developing Triathlon Skills Chapter 4. SwimmingChapter 5. BikingChapter 6. RunningChapter 7. Triathlon SkillsPart III. Training for Triathlon Chapter 8. Developing Your Triathlon FitnessChapter 9. Structuring Your Triathlon TrainingChapter 10. Building Your Training SeasonChapter 11. Executing Your Training PlanChapter 12. Adapting Your Training PlanPart IV. Preparing, Competing, and Completing Chapter 13. Pre-Race: Planning and PreparationChapter 14. Race Day: Strategy and ExecutionChapter 15. Post-Race: What to Expect and What Comes NextPart V. Planning and Programming Chapter 16. Pre-Season Training PlanChapter 17. Sprint-Distance Training PlanChapter 18. Olympic-Distance Training PlanChapter 19. Olympic- to Half-Distance Training PlanAppendix A. Workout Reference GuideAppendix B. Strength and Mobility Exercise Reference Guide Alison Freeman is a triathlete, writer, and USA Triathlon Level III Coach and was the 2025 USA Triathlon Coach Educator of the Year. Freeman specializes in guiding beginner and intermediate athletes through their first triathlon experiences. She has completed nearly 40 triathlons, including six Ironman events and 15 half-distance events, and has qualified for USA Triathlon Nationals five times. In 2021, she finished fourth in her age group at Ironman Texas. As cofounder and principal coach at NYX Endurance, Freeman coaches athletes to their first finish lines at sprint-, Olympic-, half-, and full-distance races. She also leads beginner triathlon clinics in Boulder, Colorado, and developed an online course, The Ultimate Guide to Your First Triathlon, through NYX Endurance. Outside of coaching, Freeman is a frequent contributor to Triathlete.com, where she has written over 50 articles on training, skill development, and the athlete mindset. Her articles emphasize clear and practical instruction, and her writing uses a supportive and accessible tone. Freeman holds a BSE degree from Princeton University and an MBA degree from the University of California, Berkeley. “Most triathlon resources either oversimplify or overwhelm. Unlocking Triathlon finds the balance. Alison brings the same clarity and patience to this book that she brings to coaching, and the result is a book that builds real confidence at every step of the journey.”—Justin Trollé, Senior Education Manager for USA Triathlon and USA Triathlon Level III Certified Coach“Having a great coach changes everything in triathlon — and Unlocking Triathlon gives every athlete access to exactly that. Alison walks you through skill development, training, and race preparation. Whether it’s your first race or your 10th, she makes you feel like you’re not doing this alone.”—Gwen Jorgensen, Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete“Alison Freeman is the triathlon coach who answers athletes’ questions before they even think to ask them. In Unlocking Triathlon, Alison combines her deep knowledge of the science behind triathlon training, and her experience, with her no-BS approach to help you get to the start line feeling fit, fearless, and excited to compete.”—Susan Lacke, Senior Editor of Triathlete Magazine How to choose your triathlonHow to train for a triathlonPreparing for your triathlon race week
