If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're in a bit of a rush to prepare for your triathlon.
Maybe you just gained entry to a race you weren't originally planning to compete in.
Maybe you're just coming back from an injury and you're schedule's been disrupted.
Or maybe it's near the end of the season and you want to fit this one last race in before waiting to compete again next year.
Whatever, the reason, whether this is your first triathlon ever, or you're a seasoned triathlete, you can still prepare for and have a successful event.
This article is intended to serve as a resource to be used for triathlon preparation under a compressed timeline.
Other articles have been written, and will continue to be written about triathlon training under more ideal conditions.
Here are a few guidelines to follow for the time-crunched triathlete:
This allows for the body to adapt and become stronger, and for the development of certain skills and form which can be just as important, and in some cases, even more important than just sheer muscular strength or endurance on their own.
However, you can still use the days and weeks you have left before your race to prepare and have what will hopefully be an enjoyable experience.
Maybe you just gained entry to a race you weren't originally planning to compete in.
Maybe you're just coming back from an injury and you're schedule's been disrupted.
Or maybe it's near the end of the season and you want to fit this one last race in before waiting to compete again next year.
Whatever, the reason, whether this is your first triathlon ever, or you're a seasoned triathlete, you can still prepare for and have a successful event.
This article is intended to serve as a resource to be used for triathlon preparation under a compressed timeline.
Other articles have been written, and will continue to be written about triathlon training under more ideal conditions.
Here are a few guidelines to follow for the time-crunched triathlete:
- First, evaluate your condition.
This applies to both your physical and your mental state.
Be honest with yourself when assessing your current capabilities. - Take a look at the calendar.
How much time do you have to train for your race? Count back from the months or weeks you have left to train to today's date and that's your time frame. - Prioritize.
Look at what you can still improve upon and focus on that.
If you have very limited time left-on the order of a few weeks-you may want to focus on improving your technique and efficiency.
For example, focus on swimming drills to improve your form, instead of just logging endless slow laps to build endurance. - Form a strategy and execute! Most several-month-long training plans give you a little bit of leeway for sickness and days when you're feeling a little off.
You're likely under more of a time crunch at this point and don't have this luxury, thus, the operative word is action. - Set realistic expectations for yourself.
If you're coming back from an injury, make sure you've fully healed before you start working an injured body part, or risk re-injury or a referred injury.
Look at how much time you have left to train and form your schedule.
Don't dwell on any fitness you think you may have lost or be lacking. - Compete! Get out there and have fun.
Whether this is your first race or you have some experience, congratulations for getting to the starting line healthy, which is at least 90% of the battle in itself. - Reflect on your experience.
Congratulations, you made it! You got through your race working under perhaps less-than-ideal preparation circumstances.
This allows for the body to adapt and become stronger, and for the development of certain skills and form which can be just as important, and in some cases, even more important than just sheer muscular strength or endurance on their own.
However, you can still use the days and weeks you have left before your race to prepare and have what will hopefully be an enjoyable experience.
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