A triathlon is a tricky thing to train for. It’s not like some other competitions where you know you have to perfect one movement over the course of time. With a triathlon, you have to be an expert runner, cyclist, and swimmer all at the same time, and preparation for such a thing requires a commitment to improving mechanics on all fronts.
A recent report from CNN highlights some steps that anyone training for a triathlon would be wise to act. By heeding that guidance, you can be sure that you’re not only honing your body to the state it needs to be in to endure the rigors of the triathlon, but that you’re also capable of avoiding some of the injuries that become commonplace if training isn’t equal across the board.
Although you’re eventually going to have to embrace every facet of the competition, it’s okay to start off doing what you’re comfortable with. If running is your forte, then take a couple weeks to improve your running form and increase your distance and speed. While this is ongoing, you can supplement the training with weight work on those muscles that are going to be taxed during the other legs of the race. That way, when you do get ready to start training in earnest for swimming and cycling, you’ll be at an immediate advantage because your muscles will be prepared for the transition.
Once you’ve gone a little while training in the activity that you’re comfortable with, it then comes time to embark on those other actions that maybe you’re not so comfortable with. Key to this will be setting up some benchmarks to aim for during the lead-up to the race. Establish a baseline as to how far you can run, how long you can swim, and how fast you can bike, and then ratchet up the stakes on a weekly basis.
Although at the outset you may let each activity be the sole focus of the day, at some point you’ll want to combine the activities on a single day to mimic what you’ll experience in a triathlon. It’s one thing to run a couple miles one day and bike a few miles the next, but quite another to combine those in one go. You need to adapt to this intensity.
Because there’s a good chance you’ll be doing your running and swimming at a local gym, it’s tempting to bike there too. However, a stationary bike has a very different feel than a legitimate outdoor bike, and you should get in the habit of biking outdoors. Put on a helmet, and maybe even work with a professional to get your mechanics down.
For more insights, be sure to follow the link up top.
About the author
