T1/T2 Abbreviation for ‘Transition 1’ (swim to bike) and ‘Transition 2’ (bike to run)

Taper Reducing your training in the days just before your big race

Tempo effort Challenging, sustainable effort for 20mins-plus

Threshold run A run at about 80% of your max heart rate for no more than 20mins

time trials A setdistance session, where the aim is to swim as fast as you can over the allotted distance

Transition area The place where you rack your bike and swap kit between disciplines

Tri-bars Also known as aerobars, they help you race aerodynamically

Tumble turn Fast way of turning at the pool wall by performing a forward roll, push off and a twist to return to the initial stroke position

Turbo trainer A frame that attaches to your bike, turning it into a static trainer

Underpronation Foot rolls outwards on impact rather than inwards

V02 max A measure of the body’s maximal ability to use oxygen to produce energy

Washing machine Common way to refer to a chaotic swim start!

Watt (w) The unit of measure in which power is expressed

Watt bike A static variable-resistance trainer

Waves The groups which triathletes are put in to start a race