Triathlon Training: What is the Best Approach?
Posted by The Triathlon Expert in Beginner Triathletes, Triathlon Training
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!
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