There is certainly a lot to learn for a beginner triathlete.
So, you have decided to do a triathlon. Now what? As former beginner triathletes ourselves, we understand that it can be overwhelming at first. With the combination of swimming, cycling, and running, a triathlon event can be challenging and inspiring. But if you follow these simple tips you will find that getting started doesn’t have to be that hard.
7 Tips to Remember When You Start Training for a Triathlon
1. Keep Your Training Practical and Simple
The training has to be practical and simple if this is your first triathlon. Your brain gets better at doing crazy, complicated exercises quicker than your muscles. Focus on the big muscles and the muscles that stabilize you through simple workouts. Focus on performance, not the equipment.
2. Cut Workouts Short When Necessary
One of the biggest mistake triathletes make is excessive focus on hard training. They train too hard all the time. Regular training with a proper schedule over a long period of time gives a better outcome than too hard training over a limited period. That is not a very scientific approach. Make sure you respect hard training days, light training days and off days. All will contribute to a better performance in the long run.
3. Include Brick Workouts
A beginner triathlon trainee entering as a swimmer, cyclist, and runner may likely find brick training a new concept. Integrating a brick workout into your training prepares you for racing by combining two aspects of triathlon into a single, continuous workout. The two most common examples are a swim to bike and a bike to run. It prepares you for the changing demands of each sport to ensure your race-day success. You need to understand how your body responds to transition from one event to the next, and on to the third. Here are some places around Austin that are great for an introductory bike to run brick workout.
4. Practice Transitions
Transition practice that simulates the race day conditions is important. Go through the entire process to gain efficiency. Transition practice can be included during brick workouts when you take off your wet suit, get into cycling gear, and into your running gear.
5. Try Practicing Open Water Swims
Open water swims are not always readily available under the training plan. They are nonetheless essential. They will enhance your comfort level as well as triathlon performance. Open water swimming opportunities should be accessed whenever possible to maximize the advantages of practice and learning the correct techniques. If you do not have access to water there are dry land exercises you can do that simulate swim training.
6. Swim More Often, Swim less
Poor swimming is an outcome of swimming poorly. Don’t over-swim when you feel like you’re falling apart unless you want to reinforce bad technique. It is better to swim about 15 minutes a day several days a week than an hour or more once or twice a week.
7. Train Your Digestive System
You need to understand how much nutrition and hydration you require while on the bike and on run. Training your digestive system is useful here. Find out through training sessions how much you are able to handle and practice accordingly.
We hope these tips help you as you start your triathlon training as a beginner triathlete. Be sure to look through our blog for more helpful articles including Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Training and Free Online Workouts to Help You Stay Tri Ready. There are always ways to improve in triathlon and we are here to help you along the way. Be sure to join our Facebook Group to ask any questions that you have.
