When planning out your race season triathletes usually schedule several races, each with a different level of priority. For example, “A,” B,” and “C” races. “A” races are typically top priority while “B” or “C” races are usually preparatory races before your BIG race.
Below I’m going explain what this all means as well as the importance of prioritizing races for your upcoming season.
If you’re a triathlete or cyclist, indoor riding on a bike trainer is a no brainer. This is especially true if you live in a place that it is difficult to ride outside year round AND you are training for something.
With the explosion of smart trainers and training environments like Zwift, indoor riding has never been better. Even those who were completely against riding the trainer, now find it tolerable and in some cases fun.
Completing an IRONMAN or Half IRONMAN Triathlon is truly an incredible goal. Anyone can do it, if they commit to the training, but there are a few things you should consider before signing up.
RTA coached athlete, Nick W, qualified for the Boston Marathon for the SECOND TIME! And we couldn’t be more happy for him! However, his preparation this time, was significantly different.
Each year we try to find ways to add additional value to your experience as an RTA club member. In 2020 we will be offering regular triathlon webinars for our athletes and club members. More info and sample webinar below.
Hiring a triathlon coach is becoming the “norm” among age/amateur group triathletes. An EXPERIENCED COACH can make a HUGE difference by helping you avoid stupid pitfalls (regardless of the athletes experience) and ultimately get you to the start line fit and ready to rock on race day.
With the increased demand for triathlon coaches, there are more “coaches” and options to choose from than ever before. So, how do you decide which triathlon coach is right for you and who you will entrust with your time, money and goals?
> You’re Invited <
**Recorded Show Included at the Bottom of this Post**
Are you a Tri Coach? OR… Are you an triathlete who likes to know what goes on behind the “scene?” Join Coach Elizabeth Kaplanis as she and IRONMAN U® Master Coach, Matt Dixon breakdown two real life athlete scenarios.
When it comes to training for a triathlon (or run race or ANYTHING), stress followed by recovery equals a stronger and fitter athlete. As such, stress needs to be managed throughout training in order to reap results. However, stress is not mutually exclusive to “training stress” and therefore many age group athletes screw this up.
Regular performance tests within triathlon training are a critical piece to any training program. It doesn’t matter what the sport or activity you are trying to improve, the old adage holds true, “what gets measured, gets improved.”
In our first article on this topic, we discussed the importance of testing within triathlon. We briefly covered:
We will now discuss how we use the data from the test results and how you can do the same.
Hiring a triathlon coach is becoming more and more common among triathletes. There are a ton of considerations and a lot of options when deciding who to hire, but one is most important. THE most important component in triathlon coaching is the COMMUNICATION between coach and athlete.
If you’re coach is a good communicator you will do well. If she’s an exceptional communicator, you’ll do REALLY well! It’s not just about the coach telling the athlete what to do. A good coach makes time for their athletes, encourages communication and listens to their athletes.
Good communication sounds simple. It sounds like common sense. However, there’s a lot that goes into communicating well and it’s not all on your coach.
Some triathletes have 1 swim pace. Many triathletes have 2 swim paces. Far fewer have at least 3 swim paces or zones. Being able to establish and hold different paces while swimming is critical to executing various swim workouts and becoming a better swimmer.
Recently, through our 1 on 1 swim sessions, we have been helping several triathletes become better at varying their speed and output in the water. While most find it challenging at first, with a little practice, athletes quickly become more in touch with their swim pacing & control.
Below we will suggest a few ways to gain more control of how you swim as it relates to pacing.
From the outside, triathlon can be intimidating, but in reality the sport is the combination of 3 activities most of us did as kids. Below you will learn what it takes to be a triathlete.
Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right
– Henry Ford
By now you know why technique in triathlon is important. You also know what you must do once technique flaws are identified.
In the final part of the series we will address 3 more technique mistakes triathletes make and how to fix them. If you missed part 1, you can check it out here. And if you missed part 2, you can check it out here.
As a professional triathlon coach who regularly works with athletes 1 on 1 to improve their technique and form, I have seen a lot. I have also come to realize in many cases athletes don’t know what they are doing is incorrect. This is because they were never told how AND why they should be moving differently. In other cases, athletes know they are doing something wrong, but can’t figure out what or how to improve it. Either way, it needs to be corrected and it will make a big difference once it is.
In part 2 of this 3 part series will continue to examine the most common technique mistakes we see among triathletes and how to fix them. If you missed part 1, you can check it out here.
Are you ready for a break through year?
A great year of racing starts with what an athlete does in their off season.
Regardless if you’re in a position to win your next race, continual self improvement is one of the driving factors that keep many triathletes motivated. There’s not much more satisfying then setting a new PR or completing a longer distance triathlon for the first time.
The off season is the perfect time to set yourself up for success come next year. Quite simply, there’s no pressure of an immediate upcoming triathlon you want to do well at. This provides you and your coach with a great deal of flexibility in your training schedule to make significant improvements and yield serious results for next season.
Below we will discuss a few ways you can take action and make the most of your off season.
