When triathletes refer to a brick workout, there’s a good chance they are referring to combining both biking and running into a single workout session.
Although people typically think of brick workouts as biking and then running, it can also be other combinations. For example, a brick workout could also be swimming and then biking immediately afterwards. But the convenience and practicality of a bike-run workout probably can’t be beat compared to a swim-bike workout. But a swim-bike training session can be of benefit too!
Here, we’ll talk about the positive and negative effects of a bike-run brick training method for triathletes.
The good
Since running after biking is different from running fresh, brick workouts do have their benefits during triathlon training. It can make for good practice for your triathlon, especially if you are a beginner triathlete training for your first triathlon. It gives you a chance to feel what it’s like to bike and run in succession. In addition to building strength and endurance, a bike-run brick workout can be a great way to mentally prepare for your upcoming race:
- You are practicing for the bike-run transition so you can better execute the transition and save time and energy on race day
- You can feel good about knowing the feeling that’s coming once you start running
- With this familiarity will come increased confidence and comfort knowing that you’ve practiced for this
ALSO: Tips to choose the best wetsuit for your budget
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
The bad
With those good things said about brick workouts, bike-run sessions also have their drawbacks and may not always be the best idea. If you choose to implement them into your triathlon training plan, do so keeping a few things in mind:
- A run following a bike ride can be a tough workout on your body
- Running on tired legs may in some ways make you stronger, but it can also increase risk for injury by running on fatigued legs from the bike ride
Tips for putting brick workouts into your training plan
Taking into consideration the positive and negative aspects of brick workouts, it is possible to include brick workouts as a part of your training plan with an overall positive effect, even more so if you are new to triathlons. Here are a few more things to consider.
When thinking about incorporating brick workouts into your triathlon training plan, let’s say you have 2 main goals you want to accomplish with the bike-run succession:
- Feeling out a run right after a bike ride
- Practicing your bike-run transition
And in turn, accomplishing these goals will give a mental boost for things mentioned in the positive effects of a brick training session. A short run following a bike ride can achieve these goals while reducing your risk for injury. So:
- Make the run portion of the brick a run on the shorter side so you will maintain good form throughout
- As you are running, focus on keeping good running form
Because one of the downsides of a bike-run workout is that it can be a potentially tough workout on your body, considering a recovery period following your workout is important. This more or less means don’t schedule a tough training session the day after a brick session. And making it an active recovery can help in the recovery process. This also means that if you are going to make brick workouts a part of your training schedule to do so in moderation, or even sparingly!
It is also worth noting that once you’ve past a certain point in your triathlon training, speaking of more experienced triathletes, there is some argument that brick workouts do not offer as many benefits, or that brick workouts are not the best way to maximize your time spent training.
HAPPY TRAINING!
ALSO: Tips to take off your wetsuit fast
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission.
🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling
📌 Pin this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌