Training for your first Ironman Triathlon

I just want to make a quick post for those of you who will be taking the step into Ironman triathlon training and racing this year.  What an exciting adventure you are embarking on!!

As I think back on my first Ironman experience, I recall being deeply naive about the training demands and the race.  I think being naive, to a certain degree, is a benefit that you’ll only enjoy this first year so take full advantage of it.  Find some good training partners if you can, find a good coach and/or training plan and then simply execute and believe in yourself.  As you do, you’ll enjoy an experience of learning, self discovery, and deep personal satisfaction.  When race day arrives you’ll be ready for the rich experience of becoming an Ironman finisher.

I’m convinced that the mental decision to become an Ironman finisher is far more difficult than the months of physical training.  As soon as you’ve arrived at that mental conclusion you’re already more than half way there.

Do your first Ironman or achieve a new personal best with a training plan or coaching from AllTriathlon.com.

Special: Save $125 on Coach Supported Triathlon Training Plans

For the rest of the month of April I’m waiving the $125 startup fee on all coach supported personal triathlon training plans.  Coach supported plans now start at $40.

A brief testimonial received from an email from an athlete last week:

“For the first time since 2008, I am enjoying and following a plan.  Before it was taking literally every bit of motivation to get me going it was a struggle, now it is a pleasure, it is fun.So in all scheme of things, this plan has brought way more than I expected.”

Don’t let your season go “unplanned”!!  Click here to learn more and share this special offer with your friends!

Triathlon Training Motivation 101

My “Triathlon Training Motivation 101″ tips:

• PAY THE RACE FEE – You’ll find more motivation once you’ve put some money on the table toward your goal.  In moments that you feel like you want to back out, the thought of wasted $$ will motivate you to stay on track.
• FOLLOW A PLAN – I’m certainly an advocate of personal training plans, but even a plan template at minimum can help you to stay focused on achieving one day of training at a time and provide the essential “road map” to your successful preparation.
• CONSISTENCY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN INTENSITY – Make sure your training efforts are in-line with your physical and mental limitations.  A consistent effort over time will help you to be best prepared for your event.  Sporadic intense training won’t.
• BE CONFIDENT – You can do this!  Don’t let any doubts or uncertainty creep into your thoughts.  Each workout is preparing you to reach your goal on race day.
• BE REALISTIC – Your training and preparations will be challenging at times and your goal will not always feel easily achievable, that’s the reality.  Stay focused and committed during the most challenging times and you’ll feel a greater sense of accomplishment on race day.

Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals!

Triathlon Training Plans Info/Guide

 

Anyone needing some guidance on how to select the perfect triathlon training plan for your needs, please check out TriathlonTrainingPlans.info and share the link with your friends.

Yes, there are links on this site to the best triathlon training plans and coaching on the planet!!  AllTriathlon.com

Are Twitter and Social Media a Distraction for Pro Triathletes?

I use social media and enjoy the free flow of thought and the windows which it provides into lives and activities that otherwise would be inaccessible to me.  However, as a coach and endurance athlete I frequently see distractions and lack of simplicity in training and lifestyle as some of the most significant impediments to performance maximization.  Where does social media interaction fit, or not fit, into the life of the pro triathlete?  Can it be a positive or negative influence on performance?

I understand that social media has become a powerful force for pro athletes to maximize their personal brand and promote their sport.  Fans enjoy the private tidbits that flow on twitter.   Tweets, FaceBook interaction and blog posts can endear athletes to fans in ways that traditional media never offered in the past.  However, is there a performance cost?  Is social media a distraction or an effort that adds unnecessary complexities into what needs to be a simple lifestyle to achieve performance maximization?

I’m also open to hearing opinions on how social media could be a benefit to performance.  Does social media give an athlete more opportunities to maximize sponsorship and secure necessary financial support?  Does sharing life, training and racing experiences with the public deepen commitment and focus?

Coaches and athletes please weigh in on this.  I would love to hear your thoughts?

 

Check out the triathlon training, coaching and free training log at AllTriathlon.com.

Ironman Run Technique – A blog post and video you don’t want to miss

This blog post and video on Ironman run technique on the TTBikeFit Blog is one of those must see videos.  This video does a fantastic job of objectively analyzing the techniques and outcomes of the two prevailing running styles at the Ironman WC.  Quoting from the post:

So I am not going to tell you how YOU “should” run. But I am going to try and point out why one style MAY be better for average age group runners, and perhaps most women, even pros. Physics drives my arguments and observations. Even fast runners cannot escape the simple laws of physics. So too, if you want to run your best, whichever style you adopt, you must be strong, stable and mobile. Period. There is no silver bullet that will make you a fast runner if you lack the foundation. You must be able to extend your hip, and you must be stable and strong enough to avoid leaking energy.

Check out the triathlon training, coaching and free training log at AllTriathlon.com.

Now Available: Free Triathlon Training Mobile App at TriathlonTraining.mobi

Check out AllTriathlon.com’s new browser-based triathlon training mobile app at TriathlonTraining.mobi.  Setup a free account or use your current AllTriathlon.com username and password to access your training plan and log on your smartphone or tablet.  Plan your training, log and track your performance and link to AllTriathlon.com’s professionally designed personal training plans and coaching.

A few screenshots: