Tips for Triathlons: How to Train Smart

Training for the Triathlon

If you’ve never trained for a triathlon before, the prospect of taking on all of the work needed just to prepare for the event is intimidating enough. So how do you get started? What are the best ways to alleviate the anxiety when it’s just important that you take your first step, today?

Luckily there are ways to tackle your triathlon training without over-doing it or under-doing it. You don’t want to burn out while at the same time make sure you have accomplished plenty of preparation heading into your triathlon event. Here are some tips for training for a triathlon – the smart way.

-Do your research, and then make a schedule.

Making a schedule, or a timeline, will be essential in your training for a triathlon. Many people need to know what kind of progress they should be making on a week-by-week basis, and having a training schedule will let you know whether you are behind on your preparation. A schedule will also take pressure off of your mind – since your plans are all on paper, you won’t have to worry about what’s coming up tomorrow. Just make sure to do plenty of preparation up front to make sure your schedule is healthy, realistic, and challenging.

-Aim for consistency, not perfection.

When training for any skill, you don’t want to worry about achieving perfection. No training session will feel like roses, and the triathlon still won’t be easy. Don’t worry about it being easy, and don’t worry about it being perfect. Just aim for consistency. Are you taking in the proper nutrition day-in and day-out? Are you fulfilling your schedule’s goals on a weekly basis? You’ll feel more confident heading into the triathlon knowing that you were consistent, even if you had your errors along the way. There is no substitute for the confidence you yourself create through consistency.

-When you get closer to the event, don’t change much.

Your training will produce an overall effect on your body; one week won’t be able to change too much for you. Training harder the week of a triathlon might actually deplete your energy. Eating differently that week can throw a wrench into the engine. Remember, you don’t want to be perfect, you want to be consistent. Consistency will help you to feel that you’ve “already done this” one you’re out running the triathlon. There are no all-nighters when it comes to fitness: you’ve either been consistent for the prvious months or you haven’t.

If you follow these steps and gt all of the proper information, you’ll be ready to run a triathlon before you know it. Just make sure to follow these principles, even though it might be tempting to deviate from time to time.

Photo Credits: hans s

Originally posted 2009-04-22 05:28:04.

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