HUUB Athlete Tom Bishop's Triathlon Tips

I'm Tom Bishop, a professional triathlete racing with HUUB, former British record holder for full-distance triathlon and Great Britain representative for over 15 years. During my time as a professional athlete, I’ve continually refined my race-day approach to ensure I'm always ready to execute my best performance. Today, I'm sharing my top tips to help you nail your next race

1. Plan Your Race, Race Your Plan

Having a clear, structured plan is crucial to success, you can’t wing it on race day. Know the pace and effort it takes you to race a triathlon and practice this in training. Be sure to have a nutrition plan, what to consume, how much and when. Check your kit plenty of time before race day and get it organised. Visualising each stage of the race is important, as this helps keep your mind focused and calm when the pressure builds and it also helps you to mentally check off all the bits of equipment you need for a race. 

Pro Tip: Practice your transitions. Seconds saved here can be a free and easy way to save time overall. An easy way to smooth up transitions is to trim down the legs of the wetsuit, this makes it a lot easier to remove, especially when baby oil is applied before. But make sure you seek advice from your supplier before you start the chop.

HUUB Recommendation: I rely on the HUUB Transition Rucksack to keep all my gear organised and ready, minimising stress and transition time.

2. Swim Smart, Not Just Fast

Positioning is key. Find feet to draft off, saving energy for later. You can practice this with a friend in the pool if you don’t have access to an open water venue. Focus on a smooth efficient technique rather than pure power in the water. This will help when you get onto the bike as you’ll be fresher and less fatigued.

Pro Tip: Use bilateral breathing regularly during training - it helps maintain both balance in the stroke and adaptability for different water conditions in Open Water. Also, practice sighting when you’re training, it sounds simple but swimming in a straight line will save you lots of time.

HUUB Recommendation: My trusted wetsuit is the HUUB Agilis, designed for optimal buoyancy and flexibility, helping me maintain perfect form.

3. Maximise the Bike Leg

Pacing here is essential don’t get excited and go off too hard. Know your numbers, ride within your capability, and be strategic. If you're racing draft-legal, be smart in the pack, conserve energy, and position yourself wisely for attacks. If you’re racing non-drafting, you can focus on your pacing and speed without having to respond to the group dynamics.

Pro Tip: Regularly practice race pace intervals and higher intensity to understand your limits and recovery rates, but don’t overdo it!

HUUB Recommendation: The bike leg is where a lot of R&D has gone over the past few years, aerodynamics is part of the package to go as fast as you can. My Sub 7 triathlon suit utilises world-leading technologies to maximise my aerodynamics. HUUB have a range of equipment designed with speed in mind.

4. Fuel and Hydrate Right

Nutrition is personal, so find what works in training, then replicate it exactly on race day and practice this so your gut gets used to the race nutrition. Consistency in fuelling ensures consistent performance without dips or gut issues. OTE is my chosen brand and they have a range of products and tastes so you can find what is best for you and the demands of your race. The longer the duration, the more fuel you need.

Pro Tip: Set alarms on your watch or bike computer to remind you when to fuel—don’t rely solely on feel.

HUUB recommendation: Utilise the storage pockets in your race suit, and number belt to carry nutrition without having to rely on aid stations.

5. Finish Strong with the Run

The run is the toughest part of the race and where you need to tap into your mental resilience to get to the finish line. Pace yourself early, and don’t be afraid to adjust your strategy based on the conditions.

Pro Tip: Break the run down into manageable segments and even visualise where you might be on a training route familiar to you. It’s easier to handle shorter chunks than to think of the entire distance altogether.

By incorporating these pro tips, you're setting yourself up for triathlon success. Prepare diligently, execute smartly, and enjoy the incredible feeling of crossing the finish line strong.

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