Training for something as complete as a triathlon lays a foundation of fitness that will ensure that your later years are more pain-free and fun filled -- so you'll not only add years to your life but you'll also add life to your years. Although the physical payoffs of doing a triathlon are thrilling, the mental rewards you stand to reap are even greater -- because they are truly timeless. The mental edge you'll develop by becoming a triathlete will never fade. Training for a triathlon will clear your mind and sharpen your focus.
My most lucid and creative thoughts invariably arise during bike rides, after swims or while running with my dog Owen around the lakes of Mount Tamalpais in northern California first thing in the morning. Not only will you have these "lightbulb" moments during exercise, you'll also return to your day feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the tasks that lie ahead of you. Essentially, as your body becomes stronger, your mind will follow. You will learn the profound skill of developing grace under pressure -- that is, increasing your composure as the pressure around you heightens -- as well as how to apply that skill to any stressful situation.
If you can learn to "relax into" more intense physical efforts during a minute run, for example, you will be more able to maintain mental equanimity during your morning commute. One of the most rewarding outcomes of my triathlon career is that few things in my daily life unsettle me.
I am now more mentally resilient. You will be, too. To develop a strong, "in-your-bones" confidence, I believe you must achieve something that deeply challenges you. Training for and finishing a triathlon is certainly a remarkable achievement and a powerful way to build self-confidence that will last a lifetime. Research shows that exercise improves your mood and lifts your spirits. And no wonder! When you put your body in motion, you can't help but feel alive and invigorated.
They don't call it "runner's high" for nothing. Plus, training for a triathlon gets you outdoors, and spending time in the beauty of nature is bound to boost your mood! Studies on exercise adherence show that many people quit their exercise routines because they become bored or burned out.
This can happen when you do the same thing day in and day out. Incorporating three different sports into your weekly exercise plan helps you to avoid burnout. When you grow tired of swimming along that godforsaken black line in your local pool, you can go for a run, a hike or a bike ride around town or through the countryside. After all, each of these activities directly contributes to your triathlon success. If the variety of training for a triathlon isn't enough to keep you motivated -- don't worry.
I give you several other strategies for keeping your enthusiasm high throughout your training. Not only that. The training program in this book will help you redefine how you see and do exercise so that you can alter your long-term view of physical fitness.
You will begin to see each triathlon training session for what it can be: a unique opportunity for personal growth, a celebration of life and a relaxing pause in your otherwise hectic and stressful life. You'll learn to make exercise about letting go, stepping out into the world, getting sunshine on your face and having fun. As we age, we begin erecting physical and psychological walls, brick by brick, made of our fears, doubts and excuses.
And we do it without realizing it. This wall begins to widen the distance between ourselves and our human potential. Before we know it, we're nowhere close to the person we once were -- or to the person we wanted to become. That can be a very scary realization later in life. Training for and finishing a triathlon forces you to smash through that wall and deal with your weaknesses for example, chronic knee pain, poor self-image, fear of failure.
When you strengthen your weaknesses, you become more capable of setting aside your fears and doubts to achieve other extraordinary things in your life. Whether you train for your triathlon alone or with others, you're sure to meet fellow triathletes along the way. You'll find that the camaraderie within the triathlon world is unmatched in any other sport. In addition to making new fitness friends, you stand to reap other social rewards as well.
In a triathlon everyone completes the same course: mother of three, year-old age-group competitor, world-champion professional. That's one of the truly unique things about this sport. Can you imagine golfing alongside Tiger Woods?
No way. You may not be immediately impressed with that, but when a pro like Tim Deboom gives you a thumbs-up or a pat on the back as he goes by, you'll get chills. If you complete just one triathlon, you will become one of the fitness elite no matter what your finishing time. You will have accomplished something that only one percent of the population even dare try.
That puts you in more of an elite class than a Hollywood star. Now that's sure to impress your friends and coworkers, not to mention anyone you're meeting for the first time. Perhaps the most profound benefits of all to training for a triathlon are those you least expect. Setting out on this mission will not only shrink your waistline and give you more confidence, it will transform your life in ways you never imagined.
If you are worried about the time commitment, then start with a shorter race—no need to make your first race a hour Ironman! Training can be integrated into your normal day.
Bike to work or when doing simple errands. Get together with friends for a run or do your swim as an open water swim while relaxing at the beach on the weekend. Triathlons may seem confusing—three sports, lots of equipment, where to train, how to train, what to bring—but know that you aren't in it alone. Triathletes love sharing information and helping newbies into the sport. The best way to get started is to join a team. Let the coach walk you through picking the race, the distance and the equipment.
He or she will be able to make that first race a great experience. Many people hear "triathlon" and think of the Ironman, wrongly assuming they could never do a triathlon—that they simply don't have the stamina and never will.
Working with a coach, you can enter a race that is just right for your level whether it be a sprint distance or an endurance race. In addition to his coaching duties, Kalley is an accomplished athlete, taking second overall in the Mighty Montauk, winning the West Point Triathlon, finishing third in the South Beach Triathlon, and winning his division in the USTA Club Nationals. More Triathlon Articles. Look for this banner for recommended activities.
Cancel Yes. Try This: A basic brick can prepare your legs for the swim-bike-run transitions. The Answer: You dream of having finish line announcer Mike Reilly declare you an Ironman in front of throngs of cheering spectators. It may all seem super-overwhelming at first, but a little planning—and a lot of commitment—goes a long way.
You do need to push yourself, but the feeling of accomplishment is awesome. The Approach: Set a realistic goal. At their initial meetings, Stock has her athletes be honest about the amount of time they can commit to training and racing.
Others choose to do shorter distances, and those workouts, while shorter, are intense. Ask yourself: What appeals the most to you? Asking these questions gets you off to a great start. Try This: Glean information from experienced triathletes.
The Answer: While you may not enjoy the thought of donning a wetsuit and slipping into a murky body of water with a group of strangers, swimming is actually the easiest part of a triathlon to improve upon.
In one of her first races, she was last out of the water.
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