Train Before you Train

For the most part the season is over and the "off-season" is upon us (if there even is such a thing as "off-season" - it's more like a change in focus, rather than truly being off). I'm sure you've been thinking about the season to come in 2013. What races to you want to do? Do you want to qualify for something? Do you want to conquer a longer distance? Do you want to PR in a distance you've already conquered? The options are out there. It's up to you to decide.


Whatever your goal, you can help yourself right now by laying down a solid base. 'Tis the time of year for low and slow. You have to train to train, if you will. You have to train your body to get ready for the training that's coming and the best way to do that now is to keep your heart rate low and go slow. Of course, slow is a relative term based on each athletes abilities. The goal for this time of year is to build your engine to go long and to teach your body to burn the right kinds of fuel. By keeping your heart rate at 70 - 80% of your aerobic threshold you are training your body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates....we have plenty of fats to burn (about 80,000 calories!!). Through this process you are also building up your cardio system to work more efficiently, to get the oxygen to the tissues where it's needed.

What does this mean? It means that you're going to have to slow down. If you're running it may mean you have to walk/run to keep your HR down. If you're on the bike, slow down, switch to the small ring and/or lower your cadence. Over time you'll be able to go faster at the same HR.

You're going to feel like you're not accomplishing anything by going this slow. That's common. But you're accomplishing a great deal and it may be the difference between reaching your goal this year or not!

Season Winding Down

There are still plenty of events to be raced but for a good number of triathletes the 2010 season is winding down. There is no time like the present to begin planning for the 2011 season.

It's a great idea to begin thinking about next season and start planning your race schedule. What do you want to accomplish next year? Do you want to go to the next distance level? Do you want to set a PR at a certain distance? I plan to qualify for __________?

Getting a head-start on your 2011 season will help you have an effective "off-season".

Local Triathlons

Arkansas is a fantastic place to train and participate in local triathlons. Triathlete Magazine (Oct. 2009) was so impressed with this area that they voted it one of the best places in the country to live and be a triathlete.

No matter what your A-race looks like you can train for it here. Do you have a tough bike course coming up? Head for the hills. Are you going to battle the wind on a flat course? Head east out of Little Rock and you'll get plenty of both.

The local triathlon events have a flavor for both. The month of July is upon us and there's plenty of opportunities to catch a triathlon close to you. Just click on one of the links on the right side of this page for more information about an upcoming race.

If you'd like some coaching advice and guidance I'd be happy to help. Contact me for a free initial consultation: allinmultisport@gmail.com

About All In Multisport

Competing in the sport of triathlon requires a certain level of commitment and dedication. And unless you're a professional with unlimited time for training it also requires a high level of organization in order to make the best use of your time. The sport is fun, exhilarating, challenging and very rewarding. It requires an 'All In' effort!

All In Multisport is a coaching service designed to help you reach your multisport goals. Whether you're a triathlon first-timer or a multisport veteran All In Multisport can help. We can work together to help you cross the finish line in your first sprint or long course triathlon and every distance in between.