TRIATHLON TRAINING

Triathlon racing is more then just swim, bike and run. In reality it is Train, Fuel, Swim, Transition, Bike, Transition Run and then finally the recover 

When you decided to try this incredibly fun and challenging sport you made a life changing decision. We will work together to get your nutrition in line, swim, bike and run skills honed work on  effortless transitions and finally learn the importance of and how to recover. All this while getting you fit and healthy.

Starting at the beginning or coming in from a running, cycling or swimming background our goal will be to develop a system to suit your abilities. We will work on selecting the right gear, practice flawless transitions, bike handling and run pacing, all this to get you to the finish line and give you the title TRIATHLETE.

An intermediate athlete is one that has finished one or more sprint races and is looking to get faster and more fit, someone looking to go from "finishing" a sprint to "racing" a sprint. The system we will build will fine tue your strong points and develope your weaknesses and get you to race at 100% ready to set that new PR.

Wanting to step up from Sprint to Olympic distance or getting that Oly PR we will build on your current fitness to get you to the finish with confidence. We will learn a new pacing and incorporate an in race hydration plan. The system we will build on what you have done and what you know to get you started on longer distance racing.

Racing a 70.3 mile tace is a different animal. Training for this is nothing like the shorter distance races. We will develop a system to build endurance, practice a race nutrition plan and pacing. At this level we will incorporate riding with power and pace.

If you want the ultimate challange we will develop and impliment a system to get you trained to meet your goals. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run is nothing to try on your own. It takes a well planned system of 6 months training, nutrition, race plan and support to complete let alone compete at this distance.

So, you’ve done it! You’ve signed up for your first IRONMAN distance race;  a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. Those distances on  their own are intimidating, but to do all of that in 17 hours or less  is taking the intensity up a notch. 

Regardless of whether or not you have prior experience in the sport,  jumping up to IRONMAN distance is a huge undertaking. Between work,  social commitments, and training, things may start to seem  overwhelming. 

In order to have a successful first IRONMAN (however success looks to  you!) it may be wise to consider hiring a triathlon coach with IRONMAN  experience. But is it the right choice for everyone?

Working with a triathlon coach takes the guesswork out of your training.  A good IRONMAN coach will guide you through all the building blocks of a  periodized training program, from laying the foundation and growing  your aerobic engine during the “base phase” to what is known as the  “build” (the hardest block of training) to your race. Having access to  data analysis and performance suggestions will help clarify every step  of the way.

It’s good to have the logistical part of training covered, but a  coach will provide you with so much more than just workout regimens. A  good coach is generous in delivering guidance in everything from what to  eat before the big day and what to pack in transition bags, to how to  navigate the mounting nerves that appear upon arrival to the race  venue. They’ll also help you adjust your training when life doesn’t go  as planned, helping you stay on track to reach your goals no matter what  curveballs you’re thrown.

With a truly fantastic coach, you end up with a friend, mentor, and fellow triathlete to whom you can entrust your dreams, frustrations, fears, and successes. 

The short answer is, sure, of course you can train with friends.  However, be wary of simply following their workouts. Every athlete has  different needs, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Relying on your  friends’ training schedules means the individualization for your specific needs is lost. This could result in training without significant performance gains or even more serious issues like injury. 

A better way to incorporate social training is to work with a coach  or trusted triathlon pal to establish which sessions are best done  together, and which are best done solo. This way, you have time to focus  on your goals, but also have sessions where you and a friend can  motivate each other. This is a delicate balance to strike, and a coach  is recommended, but it’s not impossible to design this type of training  schedule on your own. 

Registering for an IRONMAN is expensive no matter how you look at it.  The equipment can be pricey, the travel is hard on the wallet, and  adding a coach to those line items might cause your bank account to shed  some tears. 

However, not all coaches come with hefty price tags. Platforms like TrainingPeaks will match you with your ideal coach for free (coaching rates vary) and offer both educational resources and an array of training plans at various price points. Coaching companies like Peak State Fit offer tiered pricing for one-on-one coaching, and a squad membership which allows athletes to purchase a training plan with additional benefits like webinars, team discounts and the opportunity to schedule a consultation as needed. 

In the end, a coach is worth it precisely because IRONMAN is  expensive. You’ve already invested so much in getting to the start line,  so why not invest just a little more in making sure you cross the  finish line happy?

Hiring a triathlon coach for your first IRONMAN is a personal  decision. At the end of the day, each athlete needs to think about their  time commitments, personal life, and finances. Whether you’re hoping to  transition from short-course to Iron-distance, or just hoping to  finish, a coach will certainly make the journey a lot more enjoyable,  educational, and rewarding.