Whether you’re someone who works 50+ hours every week or a parent juggling family life, taking on the task of training for a triathlon can seem physically and mentally overwhelming. How can you possibly train for a triathlon when you’re already exhausted from tackling life?
Adding on triathlon training to your everyday routine might feel like a lot at first. However, there are helpful tips you can utilize to create a more sustainable routine as you navigate through this new journey of triathlon training while still living your day-to-day life.
Take a look at these top 5 tips for balancing life and triathlon training:
1. Become More Organized
Life in general goes more smoothly when you’re organized. Because you’ll be adding a training regime to your already busy life, organize and plan your daily activities ahead of time. Once you get into the groove of your new routine, it will become easier.
2. Create a Training Schedule
Before you begin training for your race, come up with a training schedule. A custom designed training schedule will keep you on track for your workouts and make everything both in your personal life and triathlon training life flow more easily. You may also wish to hire a coach to plan your schedule so you are not spending time researching plans or completing less-than-ideal workouts.
3. Use Training Time Efficiently
While it will become important to have longer training sessions and ideally brick workouts before race day, you can still squeeze in shorter workouts on days where you’re crunched for time. This is another reason having a training plan is helpful. Instead of having to plan last minute what your workout is going to be, you can know ahead of time and get right to work when it comes time for your efficient workout.
4. Listen to Your Body
Let’s face it – Living everyday life can cause mental and physical fatigue. There are just days where we need to acknowledge that a rest day is necessary. If you’re pushing yourself too hard while trying to balance everyday life and triathlon training, you’re going to wear yourself out before race day.
5. Seek Support
When you’re taking on a new-to-you task such as triathlon training or maybe tackling your first triathlon training session with a busier than usual life, it can feel like a lot carrying the weight alone. Whether you reach out to friends, family, or fellow racers for support, having a team standing behind you can make all of the difference throughout your training. A triathlon coach can be extremely helpful to have as well when you’re trying to balance between training and day-to-day life.
One of the most important things to remember when balancing life and training is there are only so many hours in the day. Our bodies still need rest so we can become physically and mentally stronger athletes. Designate time to train. Be sure you’re getting enough sleep at night and take a rest day if you need it. If you do the best you can, stick to your training program, and give your body what it needs to succeed, you’re taking the necessary steps to become a triathlete while balancing real life.
Looking for a coach to create a solid triathlon training schedule and guidance on balancing training with your current lifestyle? Contact me today!
Train Right, Tri Right!
Coach MJ
