Swimmer's Shoulder

• The term "swimmer's shoulder" is often used to describe any injury or pain associated with the shoulder, usually caused by swim training. "Swimmer's shoulder" can be the result of swim workouts that are too long or too intense or from poor swimming stroke technique. Pain in the shoulder can be caused by microscopic tears in the shoulder muscles. Relief from "swimmer's shoulder" can come from resting and applying ice to the injured area.
  
  

Lower Back Pain

• The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the back and the hip, and, while training for a triathlon, the ligaments surrounding this joint can become irritated. This can result in lower back pain. According to Dr. P. Michael Leahy, adviser to the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Sports Injury and Physical Fitness, this irritation can be caused by muscle weakness or structural problems. Stretching and strengthening the back muscles can help prevent and sometimes relieve this lower back pain.
  
  

Hamstring Injuries

• Lisa Alamar, a certified structural therapist, says that "recurring hamstring problems usually stem from a muscle or structural imbalance between the hamstrings and muscles in the thigh and buttock region." Hamstring injuries can occur during intense interval training sessions and also while running downhill. After a mild hamstring injury, rest is recommended, as well as stretching and massaging the effected area. Strengthening the hamstring muscles is a way to help prevent hamstring injuries from occurring.
  
  

IT Band Syndrome

• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome is a common injury for cyclists and runners. The IT band is a tendon that runs along the outside of the leg that connects the hip to the knee. When the IT band rubs against the knee's outer bone, it can become inflamed and cause pain. Robert P. Nirschl, an orthopedic surgeon, says that "iliotibial band syndrome is a relatively minor injury that should be treated by solving any mechanical problems, calming the muscle, increasing flexibility and improving strength."
  
  

Injury Prevention Strategies

• Most triathlon training injuries occur from overtraining. Giving the body time to rest is vital in injury prevention. Professional triathlete Mike Pigg's injury prevention tips are to "be fully confident in your body's ability to let you know when something is wrong" and to "always do a proper warmup." Certified triathlon and cycling coach Joe Friel also says that having the right running shoes and having your bike set up correctly can be useful in preventing injuries. Other common prevention strategies include stretching and strengthening weak muscles.