Triathlon - Page 3

The Mind of a Triathlete: How to Clear It and Exercise It

It’s been said that triathlon is a mental sport. But truth be told, well… actually, yeah, it is. Far too often we “data-buffs” find ourselves deep in the nitty-gritty of the science of triathlon training, nutrition, and gear optimization that we forget to mention how our brains are going to handle all of it. To state the obvious, triathlon takes focus and lots of it. This is something most of us struggle with. Fear and distractions are what take athletes with great potential and limit them to mediocrity. How do we exercise our minds to keep them focused? And how do we clear them to avoid fears and distractions? Tempered Expectations One of the best ways to focus your mind…

Jared Milam

What Type of Bike Do I Really Need for Triathlon?

As a seasoned triathlete and a coach, I’ve heard this question a lot. Often beginners want to know what kind of bike they should buy for triathlon. And my response is initially always the same (and not without my patented sense of snark): “A bike that fits.” But, of course, that’s another topic for another day. Others who have a few races under their belt want to know if what they’re riding is right for them. This is tricky because upgrading depends so much on your budget and your priorities. Therefore, the question can really only be answered on a case-by-case basis. However, one thing is universally true. A triathlon bike will always be faster than a road bike. Case…

Triathlon / Triathlon Training

TriDot

TriDot Check-In: Kurt Madden - Part 2

How did you learn about TriDot? I was doing some research in mid-May reading some triathlon articles, and I read somewhere online where an athlete used TriDot. There was a hot link on it so I accessed it. I looked at it and before I knew it I started talking to [TriDot Coach] John Mayfield and we visited for quite a while. I told him I definitely wanted to know more about TriDot. Before I knew it, we made the decision that it would be good for me as an athlete, and that I could use it in my coaching business. I speak with a lot of coaches and I know many of them spend their Sunday nights sitting down…

Triathlon / TriDot Check-In

Jared Milam

What, How Much, and When Should You Nutrition During a Triathlon?

Triathlon nutrition is going to look different for everyone. There are no magic formulas that can be applied to all triathletes because, let’s face it, we all function a little differently. Susan experiences GI issues from ‘Gel X’ while Michael has no problem with it. Frank needs to consume 350 calories per hour on the bike, but Amy only needs 250. And yet they’re biking at the same speed. Why is that? Nutrition in triathlon must be approached like a science experiment. First we begin with a hypothesis based on truths of nature. Then we test this hypothesis in real time, learn why unexpected results were encountered, and move forward. The “What” First and foremost, you need to know what…

Nutrition / Triathlon

Jared Milam

Why You Need a Methodical Triathlon Training Program

Ever heard the statistics of how many Ironman triathletes are also engineers? Well, you can put another tally on the board, because I’m among their number. But why are so many triathletes naturally found in fields of work where “Type A” personalities thrive? The reason is because triathlon training requires a methodical, almost scientific, approach in order to be successful. It demands organization, consistency, and the evaluation of repeatable processes. Is your training methodical? If not, here are a few things you might be missing out on. Triathlon Training is a Science Experiment A science experiment, in essence, is made up of three parts: Hypothesis Testing Results. We want to discover something unknown so first we must theorize what the…

Triathlon / Triathlon Training

TriDot

TriDot Check-In: John Mayfield - Part 2

JOHN MAYFIELD is a USA Triathlon certified and TriDot coach and has been working with athletes since 2009. He has partnered with numerous athletes to complete their first triathlon, others to win their age group, and others to become Ironman finishers. As a husband and father of three, he understands training, racing, and coaching must be balanced between family and other life priorities. What attracted you to be a triathlon coach for TriDot? I have been a TriDot athlete since 2010. Working with Coach Boo [Jeff Booher], I experienced big gains in my performance and set PRs at every distance. When I started coaching, it was just a natural progression to join the TriDot team. How has TriDot impacted how…

Triathlon / TriDot Check-In

TriDot

TriDot Check-In: John Mayfield - Part 1

JOHN MAYFIELD is a USA Triathlon certified and TriDot coach and has been working with athletes since 2009. He has partnered with numerous athletes to complete their first triathlon, others to win their age group, and others to become Ironman finishers. As a husband and father of three, he understands training, racing, and coaching must be balanced between family and other life priorities. When did you begin triathlon? 2009. How many triathlons have you competed in and what distances were they? Approximately 50, including sprint, Olympic, 70.3, and Ironman distances. What first attracted you to triathlon? I agreed to my first endurance event during an extended flight layover, so I probably wasn’t using my best judgement. After my first triathlon,…

Triathlon / TriDot Check-In

Jared Milam

How is the Diaphragm and Breathing Relevant to Triathlon?

I think I can say with confidence that in 2014 I was the only pro triathlete on the IRONMAN circuit with slats of cardboard taped under his aero pads. “Cardboard?” you wonder? “Under where?” you ask. Yeah, I thought it was silly too. Why did I cut up pieces of cardboard and perform an arts and craft project on my triathlon bike? Because I was desperate to breathe. The wheezing was something I can only describe as borderline bronchitis. My position on my old triathlon bike was such that every ride would end in a persistent nagging cough. My breathing was hindered and surely my performance was as well. I was convinced that my diaphragm was resting in an unnatural…

Race Strategy / Training / Triathlon

Jared Milam

The Top 3 Points to Consider in Your Triathlon Race Strategy: Nutrition

Part 3 in a 3-part series. While pacing is the foundation of triathlon race strategy and swim strategy the starting point, let’s now move on to the final strategy that keeps everything in check: race nutrition. Nutrition Race nutrition as a triathlon race strategy means planning for the following: what you’re going to use as fuel, when to consume it, and how you’re going to consume it amidst constant movement. We won’t get into product specifics because nutrition is so highly dependent on the individual. However, there are a few takeaways for your triathlon race strategy, which apply to nearly everyone. First, what you consume needs to work for you based on how many calories you need per hour, what…

Nutrition / Race / Race Strategy / Training / Triathlon

Jared Milam

The Top 3 Points to Consider in Your Triathlon Race Strategy: Swim Strategy

Part 2 in a 3-part series. In the first entry of this blog series, we introduced the topic of pacing. While pacing, especially on the bike and run in long course triathlon, is hugely important, its application is minimized if your day is already over in the swim. You need a solid swim strategy to complement your overall triathlon race performance. While the swim is always the shortest portion of a triathlon, its importance is well warranted. You can’t win in the swim alone, but you can certainly lose in it. How you train for and execute in the swim leg can affect the rest of your race. By utilizing the best swim strategy for YOU, exiting the lake ramp…

Race Strategy / Swim / Training / Triathlon

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