How to Train for a Triathlon the Simple Way

Side note from Coach Jen: How do you train for triathlon the simple way? Is there a simple way to prepare for an Ironman Triathlon or a 70.3 Ironman Triathlon? What about an Olympic Triathlon or a Sprint Triathlon? I will be brutally honest: NO, there is NOT a shortcut to training for an Ironman Triathlon and 70.3 Ironman Triathlon. You have to do time in the pool, get on the bike, and put the miles in on the road for running. You have some flexibility regarding the Olympic distance and Sprint Triathlons. For example, if you swim 2x a week, bike 2x a week, and run 2x a week, along with lifting 2x a week, you could get by doing a Sprint Triathlon. I would add whatever is your weakest for the Olympic Triathlon. If you are not the best swimmer, get in the pool 3x a week versus 2x a week. Are you interested in my coaching? Click HERE to apply today! 

So, how is this blog going to help you? Here you go:

Five Ways to Make Training for a Triathlon a Little Bit Easier

1. Quality Over Quantity

  • Make sure your workouts have a REASON behind them. Ask yourself: How will this get me closer to my goal for my “A” race?
  • For example, why are you running with a 10:00 pace group when you are slated to run intervals?
  • Another example: I had an athlete contact me today, exhausted. I suggested they do their run over their lift, as the run is the most important for now. So try to get the kick in somewhere else, if possible.

2. Do NOT do your Long Bike and Long Run Back to Back

  • Long bike on Saturday. Long run on Sunday. BIG NO NO.
  • Here is the Blog.

3. Prioritize Your Workouts

  • It’s a little the same as #1; since you know WHY you are doing that specific workout, prioritize it.
  • For example, if you have a tough interval bike and a leisurely swim on the same day. Life happens. The kid gets sick. Another kid has to go to basketball practice, and the wife/husband/partner is out of town. It will be “easier” to do the tough interval bike (#ouch) because you can do it at home, waiting to pick up the kid from basketball practice while the other kid sleeps.

4. Find Your Why

  • Finding your reason for doing an Ironman Triathlon or a Sprint Triathlon will make getting up at 5:00 am much easier.
  • It can be for several reasons. For yourself because you want to get in shape? A goal? Kids are out of the house, and you must do something for yourself? Dig deep to find out Why!

5. Surround Yourself with Crazy People like You!

  • I say it all the time. Find a Tribe—a Community. People like you. I am currently accepting applications to be a part of Rulon Racing. Apply HERE! 
  • Or surround yourself with many social media connections on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I LOVE Instagram because you can hashtag many things, such as #triathlete, #triathlon, #Ironmantraining, and #swimbikerun. You will feel the LOVE as well!

Training for a Sprint Triathlon to an Ironman Triathlon DOES work in real life. Remember, we don’t get paid to do these races. Instead, we spend a lot of money doing these races. So, when you sign up for a race and BAM, you are not prepared for it; it can stress the mind, body, and bank account.

Are you interested in grabbing the “Fundamentals of Triathlon Training” PDF I put together? It is a 29-page PDF of the basics of triathlons. Click HERE for the 2022 update!