FEATURES

Don't Be THAT Triathlete...

Friday, 29 March 2013 01:10

Top 4 things NOT to do...

By Steve Harrington (for ezinearticles.com)

I am sure we all know someone like this...

Here are the top 4...

1) Do NOT keep talking about training and how little time you have. Some people wear it like a badge and become a martyr to lack of time. It is VERY boring for friends, family and colleagues who feel their own time pressures and do not understand your sport or even why you would want to do it....

Instead focus on what you can fit in. Train smart and make each session count. Even if you have just half hour, you can make HUGE progress doing interval sprints on the turbo, some stretching, some strength work or a quick hill session on the run.

Keep your support group of family and friends engaged with you on your journey not resentful of how much time you are not there.

2) On race day, do not forget to make a mental note of where you put your bike and where the entry and exit points to transition are. I have been to many triathlons where the swimmer comes out of the water in a rush, slightly disorientated and the whole area looks totally different now to when they racked their bike, and there were hardly any bikes racked. The poor athlete shuffles around in a daze trying to find their bike and wasting a lot of valuable time.

Pick a marker like a clock tower or a tree or something that you know your bike is near. Get there early to transition to walk through the entry and exit points.

3) Don't over eat or over drink during the race. A common beginner's mistake. Remember to race how you train. If you are racing a 10km run and do not normally take on any fluids or food, it is unlikely that you will suddenly need 3 gels and half a litre of sports drink during the race. It is very common for athletes to get upset stomachs or the dreaded "stitch" due to over eating or drinking due to nerves. Only eat or drink what you planned in advance and practiced!

4) Don't train through niggles. Athletes do have a lot of time pressure and would rather "train through the pain" rather than take 30 minutes out of their day to get advice. Trust me- as a general rule if the pain has not gone away with 10 days rest, get it looked at. Often it will just keep recurring and get worse until you will need 2 months rest- which is practically a death sentence to all your goals and ambitions for that year! Be sensible and listen to your body. Keep your body maintained along the way, rest when you need to and it will perform for you when you need it!