What the heck is a "Brick"??

For those of you who may be new to Triathlon, there are a few terms that you might come across when you start out on the road to racing that will be new to you. As in any subculture, Triathlon has its own jargon terms that you will hear often that you might find yourself saying "what the heck does that mean?" as you nod your head in approval pretending you know what people are talking about. Terms like "Tempo Runs", "Intervals", "PR" and "Splits". I know when I started doing training for races I wondered what the heck a "Brick" was other than the traditional piece of hard stone that you use to build a house with.

Simply put, a "Brick" is a term that is used to describe a workout that combines two of the three disciplines in Triathlon during one training session. Either a swim/bike or a bike/run workout. Usually, there is a stronger emphasis placed on one of the two exercises during the workout rather than full intensity on both of them, i.e., pushing a hard bike workout and then going on an easy or moderate run afterward. Unless you are racing, most people will intensify one over the other.

In my limited experience with Triathlon I have found that there is no substitute for Brick workouts. With the Brick, you simulate race conditions, to include transitions, which helps you come race day by getting a smoother flow from one part of the race to the next. The natural reaction is to take a bit of a break in between but if you practice going from the swim to the bike, or the bike to the run, your switch will be effortless and you will get more out of the race. If you are a beginner, I say there is nothing wrong with catching your breath and making sure you are getting some nutrition in you before getting back on the road. You will find that you are winded after a strong swim and you might need a couple minutes to recover before getting on the bike. Also, jumping off the bike and starting to jog engages your leg muscles in a different motion, which can feel a little strange and you might be a bit wobbly. That will pass after a few moments. The Brick training can help you overcome this more quickly over time.

When you plan to do a Brick workout, decide which of the exercises you want to emphasize and structure the workout accordingly. If you are doing a bike/run brick, make sure you are managing your nutrition while on the bike in preparation for the run. Remember your hydration and get used to reaching down to get your water bottle so that during a race you will have a smooth motion, although if you are on a trainer you wont have the same swervy motion as you would have on the road, the practice still helps. The longer your bike session, the more hydration you will need. The longer your upcoming run off the bike is, remember to prepare for it by eating calories on the bike. This will take some experience and getting used to what works for you. If you are just starting out, experiment with different sources of calories such as gel packs or power bars and find one that your body responds to well and once you find that source of nutrition, stick with it. Never change your nutrition style on race day. There is nothing worse that taking something that your body isn't used to on race day and getting an adverse affect from it that might make a stop at the port-a-potty necessary. It took me a while through experimentation to find that my body reacts better to Hammer products that GU or PowerBar products for some reason. Same holds true for electrolytes in your water bottles. Be careful to put just enough in the water to replenish your self, otherwise you might end up with stomach issues during the race. Remember - too much nutrition during a race is just as bad as not enough nutrition.

I love doing Brick workouts. I highly recommend them and I think they are a must have in any training plan. They help you build greater endurance and get you mentally prepared to switch gears during a race.