Triathlon Training: Start here!
Posted: March 22, 2011
For first-time triathletes, the three-sport nature of triathlon training can seem overwhelming. Though most of us, as kids or adults, have tried swimming, riding a bike, or running, not many have ever pulled off all three in one day.
With all of the challenges of preparing for a triathlon, many beginning athletes and seasoned veterans have the same concerns: Should I do all three sports every day? How long should I work out? Why am I so tired? What should I eat? Our training programs are designed to provide you with the tools and experiences you need to answer these questions in the best way for you.
Whether you hope to complete or compete your first triathlon, we have brought together a team of experienced triathletes to help coach and mentor you throughout the program. The expert coaches who understand each of the disciplines thoroughly will help you attain the best techniques in each sport so that you can obtain your race-day goals.
Athletes share many things, regardless of their experience, age, gender and natural ability. All athletes rely on the same fuel sources, the same number of bones, and the same muscular structure and nervous system. However, you may have heard that there are as many ways to train for a triathlon as there are number of triathletes. Despite the commonalities, this sentiment is absolutely true, and it is crucial that you understand how individual your training process needs to be in order for it to be a success.
When is comes to the specificity of training, each athlete is unique. Your unique combination of motivation, genetic capabilities, time constraints, and particular goals makes you an athlete unlike any other. The key to success in our training programs is to understand the two elements of training: the commonly accepted principals of training, which we provide throughout the programs, and your own individual needs. Helping us understand your needs will help us to help you tailor your program.
Big challenges require not just goals, but a mission. Everyone in a triathlon training group shares the goal of completing their event, but it will take a bit of time to begin to mold that goal into a mission.
The difference between a goal and a mission is attitude. Missions are made up of smaller goals that lead to specific steps that allow you to achieve that goal. Missions imply work, and you will need to plan specific steps in order to reach your target. Take the time to do this as you are introduced to the sport and the coaches throughout the first couple of weeks. Then talk with other athletes in the program and your coach to articulate your mission so that it becomes clearer and more achievable to you.
Keep in mind: triathlon is not about talk. It is easy to have a dream and set high goals, but the true test of commitment to completing a triathlon is in the doing. This why it is important to us that you attend all the workouts provided to you. We don’t expect you to eat, sleep and breathe triathlon every day, but we do expect a level of commitment to attending the workout and attempting to do all of the On Your Own workouts. We understand that balancing training and other responsibilities is difficult to achieve, but rearranging daily activity by only 10% percent in the direction of better fitness will bring about noticeable improvement.
We are here to help motivate you and help you remodel those workouts around your schedule. Always feel free to come to any of your coaches with any questions about your mission, your goals, your lifestyle, training or your fears. There are many people who have experienced similar situations before you, and we all need others to help us reach our own personal finish lines.
Are you ready to take on and achieve your triathlon goals this spring? CapTexTri training and Iron Chicks: Training for Danskin are both set to begin in early April. Whether you are a complete beginner or are ready to fine-tune your skills, we are ready to help you cross that finish line!
