Triathlon Training Articles
Practical, no-nonsense advice for the age-group triathlete. From time-crunched scheduling and race strategy to mindset and technical skills, this is where I share the "why" and "how" behind training smarter.
New here? Start with these guides:
• The Time-Crunched Triathlete: Maximising Limited Training Hours
• Why You’re Not Getting Faster: The Forgotten Role of Technical Skills in Triathlon
• Full Distance Race Strategy: Calm Execution Beats Chaos
• Strength Training for Triathletes: Build Strength and Crush Races
Beyond the Numbers: The 3 Durability Benchmarks That Build Real Performance
We have more sensors than sense. The modern triathlete is drowning in data yet becoming more fragile. Why? Because we are optimising for vanity metrics like FTP and VO2 Max, numbers that only matter when you are fresh. But the race doesn't happen in the first hour; it happens in the fourth. This manifesto challenges the "ceiling" mindset and introduces three benchmarks to measure your true Durability. Stop chasing the peak. Build the floor.
Ironman 70.3 Race Strategy: Pace to Run Well
Most bad 70.3 runs are paid for on the bike, usually in small, stupid ways that felt “fine” at the time. Overbiking in a 70.3 rarely looks dramatic. It shows up as little surges into wind, pushing climbs to “hold speed”, coasting and punching out of corners, and letting adrenaline decide the first third of the ride. This Ironman 70.3 race strategy breaks down how to pace the bike to run well, with two pacing frameworks (power and HR, plus Easy / Moderate / Medium / Mad), a T2 to 5 km execution plan, fuelling targets that match the pacing, and the warning signs that tell you to correct early. Controlled work buys you a run you can use.
Run Off The Bike: Fix The First 10 Minutes
If you want to run off the bike well, you don’t need more suffering. You need less chaos. The first 10 minutes off the bike are a messy handover: your body is switching movement patterns under load, your pacing brain is overexcited, and your legs feel heavy after cycling even when the pace looks “easy”.
How to Train For and Race Short-Course Triathlons
Short-course triathlons, like Sprint and Olympic distances, require unique strategies distinct from Ironman events due to their high intensity and shorter duration. This guide addresses training principles, race execution, and common mistakes. Incorporating short-course racing enhances speed, tactical skills, and mental resilience, benefiting long-course performances while fostering enjoyment in triathlon.
How to Nail Your First Triathlon Without Drowning, Crashing, or Bonking
Preparing for your first triathlon involves focused training in swim, bike, and run disciplines to improve performance without unnecessary fatigue. Key strategies include practicing in open water, smart pacing on the bike, and integrating brick workouts for run adaptation. Nutrition, effective transitions, and mental toughness are essential for race day success.
Challenge Roth – What Racing There Is Really Like
Roth stands out as a unique triathlon experience, drawing athletes for its festival-like atmosphere. However, the race week can overwhelm with distractions, making planning essential. Success relies on discipline, adaptability, and avoiding the temptation to expend energy too early. Athletes must balance excitement with strategy to perform well.
Heat Adaptation Strategies for Triathletes
Triathletes from cooler climates must prepare for hot racing conditions to avoid health risks and poor performance. Heat adaptation enhances endurance by improving body cooling efficiency. Key strategies include gradual heat training, hydration, smart pacing, and effective cooling techniques on race day. Monitoring symptoms and adjusting effort is crucial for safety.
Full Distance Race Strategy: Calm Execution Beats Chaos
Full distance racing rewards discipline, not drama. This piece covers pacing, fuelling, and the on-the-day decisions that keep you steady when the wheels start to wobble. Start here if you want a plan you can execute.
Master Your Marathon: Effective Training Tips
Preparing for a marathon requires a strategic approach focused on developing aerobic base, muscular endurance, and efficient pacing. Key training includes controlled effort sessions, varied intervals, and long runs by feel. Nutrition plays a crucial role, along with avoiding common pitfalls like neglecting recovery. With the right strategies, athletes can finish strong.
Simplifying Triathlon Nutrition: The Myths and Realities
Triathletes often face nutrition myths that complicate their diet. The article clarifies that expensive products are unnecessary, real food can meet protein needs, and consuming too many carbs during races may hinder performance. Simple strategies, like homemade sports drinks and familiar snacks, are emphasized for effective fueling in endurance events, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Race Report: Full Distance Challenge Almere-Amsterdam
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in this race report is anything but tidy. A solid pre-race plan collides with a rough, chaotic swim, a steady bike leg ridden through surrounding noise, and a brutal run complicated by stomach issues. The target time slips away, but what remains is quiet pride in problem-solving all the way to the line and a reminder that long-distance racing is built on stubborn resilience as much as perfect splits.
Race report: Ironman 70.3 Vichy
A straight account of what happened on the day and what it taught me. Pacing choices, how the race felt across swim, bike, and run, and the small execution decisions that mattered more than any perfect plan. Useful if you like lessons you can steal.