Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities such as biking, climbing and hiking keep you active during the warmer months. Learn more about snow sports like bobsledding and the Iditarod to keep you moving this winter.

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As the popularity of triathlons has grown over the years, so has the amount of garbage generated by participants and spectators. Now some organizers and athletes are working to lessen their impact on the environment.

By Joanna Burgess

Freestyle swimming is not only good fun, it's also great exercise. But getting the breathing down can be tricky. Here's a how-to for all you budding Michael Phelpses out there.

By Jill Becker

Breathing is natural and instinctive, but breathing correctly when running can be a little tricky. How do you find a rhythm and give your body the most oxygen possible?

By Jill Becker

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A bad dive off the blocks during a swimming race can cost you valuable seconds. It may even cost you the race. But do you know the best way to dive into a shallow river or lake while running a triathlon?

By Patrick E. George

You've probably seen them on the road -- packs of cyclists speeding past as you sit in traffic. They're astonishingly close together, they're dressed in tight-fitting regalia, and they're usually accompanied by choruses of ringing bells.

By Tristin Hopper

While we're not all genetically predisposed for greatness on hill climbs, they are a fact of life for cyclists everywhere. So how can you improve your hill climbing skills? Do you need strength, agility or both?

By Jeff Harder

Huge, rippling muscles may look good at a bodybuilding competition, but they usually make for a poor endurance athlete. You can be strong, you can be fast -- but if you're lugging around just a few more pounds, it could make the difference between success and failure.

By Tristin Hopper

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There are a number of ways to improve your swim stroke, but the best way is through stroke drills and practice. Even world-class swimmers continue to improve their swim strokes using these simple methods.

By Jamie Page Deaton

Practiced swimmers seem magically better than the rest of us at gliding through the water. Olympian swimmers seem almost to defy physics. What do great swimmers do differently from the rest of us?

By Nicholas Gerbis

If you're a runner, training just means that you run every day, right? Well, not really. Most of us have strengths and weaknesses, and finding out what they are doesn't come easy. That's where keeping a running log comes in. But how does that work?

By Emilie Sennebogen

Swimmers hold pull buoys between their legs while training to stop themselves from kicking. This strengthens the muscles in their upper bodies. But how do you get used to training with a pull buoy?

By Nathan Chandler

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Kickboards aren't only for beginning swimmers -- they're for anyone in the water at any skill level. Even competitive athletes use them. In fact, a kickboard can be a valuable part of your water workout.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

So you've decided to train for a triathlon. Sure, the swimming, cycling and running will be grueling, but are you set for the really hard part? The part that could end with you lost and searching for your stuff amid piles of gear?

By Craig Haggit

Triathletes tend to be very, very focused on training and competition, but their families can cheer them on and even race with them. It may be a bit intense, but turning a triathlon into a family vacation may be easier than you think.

By Linda C. Brinson

It truly pays to be on your toes in the sport of running. But what are the benefits of toe-running and how do you do it?

By Jeff Harder

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Misery loves company. No, wait, that's not how it goes. Strength in numbers -- that's it! Triathlon training groups are as varied as the athletes themselves, and finding one that's right could be the first step in helping you stick with the sport.

By Lance Looper

Just as different types of cars have different fuel needs, triathletes have different nutritional requirements from the rest of the population. How many protein bars, energy gels and calorie-heavy meals do triathletes need to pack into their training program?

By Julia Layton

Triathlons are unparalleled endurance tests. Because they're so competitive and physically punishing, the governing bodies of the sport have implemented strict and detailed rules to ensure the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved.

By Dave Roos

Most triathletes, before getting obsessed with the competition, start out as runners. But from the sprint distance triathlon to the ultimate Ironman, there are several different ways to train for the running section.

By Gerlinda Grimes

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Think you have what it takes to compete in a triathlon? Chances are you do, but before signing up for the next available race, you'll want to be adequately prepared for the challenge ahead.

By Caitlin Uttley

As you might expect, a triathlete has to be in great shape. But even someone in excellent physical condition has to spend weeks training for a competition. What if the weather doesn't cooperate?

By Christopher Lampton

Deciding to run a triathlon, whether it's the sprint version or a full-fledged Ironman, is a major commitment. Making sure your body gets the right combination of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and hydration can mean the difference between a successful race and a painful ordeal.

By Meghan E. Smith

If you're a runner, you might be more focused on the path ahead instead of the ground below. But turnover, or the number of times your feet strike the ground each minute, is important in running, and improving that rate can give you results.

By Martha Barksdale

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Yoga for triathletes pushes a combination of strength, flexibility and concentration into its routines. The idea is to build up the core muscle groups. Are you using yoga to prepare for the next competition?

By Eric Baxter

Though it takes dedication and endurance to finish a triathlon -- a race consisting of swimming, cycling and running segments -- there seems to be no single path to success. Does running in place on a treadmill help or hinder your racing dreams?

By Marianne Spoon