The Triathlon Experts

For years I have been dreaming of owning an Endless Pool. In the old days, having a pool large enough to swim a decent lap in was reserved for the super rich in their mansions. Today, the Endless Pools company has brought this luxury to the rest of us in an affordable package.

Imagine waking up in the morning…rolling out of bed…having a cup of joe…then settling in for a mile swim without leaving your house…even before going to work! No more early commutes to the pool. You can even swim naked if you like…who’s gonna know?

An Endless Pool is Better than an Olympic Pool in your House

Actually, the Endless Pool system is BETTER than having an olympic-sized lap pool in your back yard. The big difference is that you never have to make a turn.   As any triathlete knows, the Achilles heel of pool training is that little rest you get at the end of each length of the pool. When you get out in the open water, you body is expecting that little rest, but it never comes.

Get the Endless Pools Free Info Kit (complete with a DVD or Video) by Clicking Here.

The other big benefit of an Endless Pool is that the current created by the huge ducted paddle wheel is a better simulation of open water swimming than the perfectly still water in the local lap pool. You actually feel the water rushing past and the small swirls from the current. It is always a bit of a shock to move from the pool to open water…and the Endless Pool comes close to the real thing.

I Will Be Installing an Endless Pool in my Dream Home

In my fantasy home (which I will build in the next 5 years), my wife and I have definitely decided to have an Endless Pool installed in a special dedicated room. Surprisingly, they take up very little space and will really add to the resale value of a home.

In reality, there is no other reasonable way to get a lap pool for your home, especially if you have a small indoor space for it, or a small back yard. It does require an investment, but I think it will be worth it in the long run in terms of health, convenience, and improvements to my triathlon training.

I Recommend Getting their Free DVD Sent To You

It is one thing to hear me go on and on about the Endless Pool, but you have to see this thing in action. I have the free DVD, and watch it every now and again to get excited about my future pool. Just click on this banner below and sign up to receive it for free. No hassles. Then you can sell the idea to your spouse! :)

Everyone knows that the triathlon swim is the most overlooked aspect of triathlon training for the majority of athletes. I remember mostly ignoring proper swimming training for my first triathlon…resulting in an upleasant experience of back stroking, swallowing reservoir water, and being one of the last people out of the water.

Since then, I have looked for inexpensive and quality resources for improving my triathlon swimming…and have found an excellent resource. Triathlon coach Kevin Koskella has put together a comprehensive triathlon swim training program called “The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming”. This is truly a guide for the “rest of us” and sells it for a meager $37 with a money back guarantee.

I spend more on a good pair of bike shorts, and they never fit right anyway. :) I would suggest that you take a look at his program here and invest the minimal cash to greatly improve your swimming today.

Dramatically Improve Your Triathlon Experience

We all have different reasons for doing triathlons. Some are highly competitive, some love all the preparation and gear, and some are doing their first triathlon to expand their sense of self-limits. Whatever the reason, starting the event day off on the right foot sets the tone for the whole race.

Speaking from experience, there is a huge difference between being nervous and worried about the triathlon swim leg - and being relaxed, composed and eagerly looking forward to the first leg.

For some, the swim is the “downer” part of the triathlon. But for others, after successfully applying strategic swim training techniques, the swim is eagerly anticipated, enjoyed and a “strength” of their racing strategy.

Making Friends with the Triathlon Swim

I like how All-American swimmner and coach Kevin Koskella approaches the idea of the triathlon swim leg - by “befriending” it in your training, instead of battling the dragon - as other approaches suggest. He rejects the “No Pain, No Gain” philosophies of youth for pursuing graceful efficiency with less effort.

Makes sense to me. I have never gotten anywhere significant by overtraining, overpowering or “hurting” my way through anything.

He also gives you plenty of coaching for dealing with the mental aspects of the triathlon swim, including overcoming pre-race anxiety. We all know how significant our mental state is in this sport. Anything that can calm our nerves will translate to better performance and more enjoyment!

A Very Comprehensive Program for a Few Bucks

Kevin delivers a full and comprehensive program plus a bunch of bonus e-books for the nominal fee of $37 at his website. I won’t go into more details, because he explains it well on the site. Check it out and let us know how it goes for you by commenting on this article

Knowing what coaching time can cost at the gym (usually from an amateur employee), I think this is a real steal and could be just the secret weapon training tool you have been looking for all this time. And it you don’t like it, he will refund your investment. Nothing to lose there. Enjoy!

So you have convinced yourself that triathlons are for you, but you have a “real” life like the rest of us with a busy career, family to tend to, and a minimal amount of training time. Unless you make a living as a professional triathlete, you will have to decide how to best use your training time to get the most out of your triathlons.

Being a triathlete in the old days…meaning a couple of decades ago - meant that you were a lonely road warrior in a fringe sport that many predicted would never catch hold. Well, thanks to the fitness boom, triathlons have become quite popular and thus many different training approaches, coaches and team methods have emerged.

This is good news for you - the aspiring triathlete - is that you have several options for training environments and coaching these days.

Training for Triathlons Alone - The Simplest Option

As a busy guy, my personal preference is to train alone for the most part. This is how many people train “under the radar” and continue to meet their life obligations while getting a minimal amount of training done.

I admit that you need a lot of motivation to get out there every day, but the reward is that you did it all yourself and still managed to hold down a life. This method works well if you are training at a moderate intensity for a relatively short duration. As the days go on, it can be hard to stay motivated by yourself.

You should utilize any training tools to keep yourself motivated. I like mixing my outdoor training with indoor club training (spinning, weights, swimming) to get some exposure to other humans once in a while.

We also recommend using any training tools to keep you focused (and mentally occupied), like GPS running watches, heart rate monitors, and a good MP3 player, like and iPod to give you some companionship.

The Benefits of Triathlon Training in Small Groups

The next step in socialization for triathletes is training with a partner or a small dedicated group of aspiring triathletes. We would recommend this option if it is difficult to stay motivated for those early morning sessions or long rides.

The biggest benefit of a partner or group is that they will push you further than you can go by yourself…no question. Additionally, it can be much more enjoyable to share your training experience with others…instead of always living inside your own mind. A little community is not a bad thing.

The downside is that you are more at the mercy of the schedules, complaints and quirks of your training partners - so choose them well!

Triathlon Graduate School - The Multisport Team

So, have you have outgrown your training partners and are looking for a real training challenge? Signing up for a multisport team is a sure recipe to improving your triathlon game, but there is a cost - both in money (sometimes) and pain!

Multisport teams are usually geared toward peak performance training and specific events. There are more “relaxed” teams out there, but we guarantee they will push your limits. You need to be ready to conform to the team’s schedule as well.

We think that the multisport teams have their place in triathlon training, especially for individuals who are serious about performance and results. On the downside, they can become a little “clicky” and sometimes downright ultra-competitive. If you are a casual triathlete, teams may drive you crazy.

This article should give you a good idea of the options available for approaching your triathlon training. The next step will be either buying or building your detailed training plans. More on that to come. See you on the course!