How to Stay Motivated During Triathlon Training

How to Stay Motivated During Triathlon Training

Team Z, the best triathlon trainers in Virginia, know that training for a triathlon is hard work. It requires many hours of workouts every week and your complete commitment. Some days it can be more difficult to stay motivated than others. When training is getting extra tough, you may even feel like quitting. Here are some tips for staying motivated during your training from the Virginia best triathlon trainers.

Create a Goal

While many would say that participating in a triathlon is a goal in itself, try to be a little more specific. For example, your goal may be to decrease your swim or running time by 20 seconds. Whatever your goal is, make sure that it’s realistic and attainable. If you a have a specific goal in mind that you want to achieve, you will be more motivated to give it your all during training.

Be Flexible

Even the best triathlon trainers Virginia knows that it’s alright to allow some flexibility in your training. For example, if you plan a long run on Monday and you find out that it will rain very hard, you may dread the thought of doing that. Instead of running outside, consider running on a treadmill or indoor track. That way, you will still get your training in, but won’t be miserable during it.

Treat Yourself

Treating yourself with something nice here and there can also help you stay motivated during training. For example, if you have long bike ride planned, tell yourself that you’ll treat yourself to a massage or new pair of shoes after you finish it. Knowing that you have something nice waiting for you afterward may motivate you to give it your all during the bike ride.

Find Ways to Make Your Training Enjoyable

The best triathlon trainers in Virginia understand that the more enjoyable you make your training, the more motivated you will be to stick with it. For example, to make long runs less monotonous, listen to your favorite music while you do it. Playing upbeat tracks on your smartphone or iPod can help you push through your training a little easier.

Find a Training Partner

Training for a triathlon by yourself can get boring sometimes. That’s why you should consider training with another person. As you are running, biking or swimming, you will have someone to talk to and push you along. If you know that someone else is waiting for you to show up for a training session, you will be less likely to skip it.

Tell Others About Your Training

It is a good idea to tell your family and friends that you are training for the triathlon. Share all that details you can, such as how often you are training and when the race is. If you share your goals with others, you will be more likely to stick with your training.

If you follow these tips, you can stay motivated during triathlon training. Also, consider working with the best triathlon trainers Virginia, Team Z. The trainers with Team Z can hold you accountable and help you reach your goals, so call today!

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Growing up, I was never even remotely athletic, a distinct liability in a sports-mad country. Moreover, I grew to associate the idea of people being “sporty” with people who were generally obnoxious, who loved to lord their athletic prowess over others.

Triathlon, therefore, was a revelation for me: very ordinary people who were able to achieve extraordinary things. Team Z is the essence of triathlon in that regard, an amazing mix of experienced athletes (who turned out to be quite nice people) and absolute beginners, all sharing their different journeys. The team is full of people who push me when I need to be pushed and who push me when I don’t think I want to be pushed. Because the team pushes me, I’ve become something I never would have believed I could become: an athlete.

Mark Mullen

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Never say never on Team Z! I never thought I would do a triathlon let alone a half Ironman. I told anyone who would listen that the only way I would ever run another marathon was if it was in an Ironman and since I was never going to do an Ironman I had nothing to worry about. Well, so much for my “never” list. With the support of Team Z, I have raced numerous short distance triathlons, several half Ironmans, raced my best injury free marathon (I beat Oprah’s time), and signed up for an Ironman.
Regardless of your experience, speed, motivation, and goals there is a place for you on Team Z. When I joined the Team in December 2011, I did not know what to expect. My old game plan was to go as fast and as hard as possible regardless of the consequences. I do not recommend this strategy. I somehow always fell to side with an injury and burned out long before I reached the start line. This all changed when I joined Team Z. With the help of the coaches and my teammates, I am learning everyday how to find balance physically, set reachable goals, listen to my body, and enjoy the experience. I have a good friend on the Team that says that all the training and hard work is the journey. Race day is the victory lap. Gotta Love Team Z!

Kathy Hsu

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In 2009 I ran the Disney Marathon with my mom, accompanying her on her first 26.2 mile adventure. I remember standing at the start next to her and saying, “just think, those Ironman people have to do this after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112”¦..freaking lunatics!.” Two years later with a couple of sprint and Olympic triathlons under my belt, and after a couple of glasses of wine, I started to wonder, “Maybe I can do an Ironman too?” So I pulled the trigger, dropped the cash, and signed up for Ironman Cozumel. This followed by immediate panic. “Oh dear God, what have I done? I haven’t the slightest clue how to train for an Ironman.” A couple months later, by chance, I ran into a Z’er outside of my work and as we started talking Triathlon, she told me about Team Z. “Why not? It can’t hurt” I thought to myself. So I joined. It didn’t take me long to realize that this team had everything I wanted: knowledgeable and supportive coaches, structured training plans for all levels and abilities, fantastic teammates, and most importantly cold beers ready for you after every race!

Scott Leary