Training
Training
Our extensive triathlon training content includes tips for athletes of all levels (from newbie to seasoned pro), training plans for every distance (from super-sprint to Ironman), and advice from the true experts in the sport.
Our extensive triathlon training content includes tips for athletes of all levels (from newbie to seasoned pro), training plans for every distance (from super-sprint to Ironman), and advice from the true experts in the sport.
Beginner’s Corner: Prepared To Perform
LifeSport coach Lucy Smith shares her “no hope/all task” approach to racing.
Think You’re Overtraining? Check Your Pulse
No fancy equipment needed—just your finger, a notebook and one minute a day.
ProFile: Amanda Stevens
Get to know pro Amanda Stevens.
Injury Prevention Advice For Triathletes
Thankfully many injury prevention methods can also make you faster and more efficient in the sport.
Video: The Importance Of Sleep
Sleep is a critical part of the recovery process and is one area in which we can all improve.
Ask Coach Sara: Is It Important To Train With Fins?
Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.
5 Ways To Become A Faster Runner
Here are five ways to change up your run training to stimulate better results.
Tips For Cycling Longevity
Triathlon veteran Belinda Granger shares her insight as to what’s made her a cycling powerhouse after more than 20 years in the saddle.
7 Skills To Controlling Your Bike With Confidence
These handling techniques will help you enjoy the transition from bike rider to full-blown cyclist and can help save time on race day.
Triathlon Training With A Busy Schedule
Raining sideways on your only day to ride long? Business trip and no bike?
One-Hour Workout: Train For Your Swim Race Distance
A swim workout designed for Olympic or half-Ironman athletes who want to train specifically for the distance of their race.
The Upside To Downtime
If you already train hard, extended recovery can be the key to peak performance this season.
Dispatch: Rebekah Keat’s Running Tips
Rebekah “Bek” Keat shares her top tips for strong running form and one of her favorite sessions to improve running cadence.
Swim Speed Series: Body Rotation
Focus on better body rotation for greater power and speed.
One-Hour Workout: Bike Speed Session
This bike speed workout is designed to raise VO2 max, increase fatigue resistance and increase leg speed.
The Benefits Of The Time Trial For Triathletes
Five ways bike time trials can benefit your triathlon racing.
Swim Speed Series: Keep Your Head Down
A proper head position means you’re working less to move forward faster.
Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention
Delayed-onset muscle soreness can be intense. Learn what’s normal and how to minimize the pain.
How To Decide If You’re Ready For Tough Training
Use these markers to assess whether you’re prepared for a tough training block.
Efficient Running Up And Down Hills In Triathlons
The way you run hills in a race could be the most important factor in how you finish overall.
Visual Cues To Make You A Better Swimmer
The experts at SwimLabs use creative analogies to illustrate and explain technique tweaks.
The Benefits Of A Triathlon Training Camp
It's not too late to incorporate a triathlon training camp into your 2014 season.
Ask Coach Sara: Getting Comfortable In The Water
Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.
Med Tent: Strained (Pulled) Hamstring
Dealing with a pulled hamstring? Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the symptoms, as well as how to fix it and prevent it in the future.
Coach’s Note By Lance Watson: Triathlon, Do You Live And Die By It?
Do you believe that your self-image is tied to your performances in racing? It might be time for a change, writes coach Lance Watson.
Dispatch: Safe Strategies To Share The Road
A collection of important cycling safety and accident awareness tips.
Do’s And Don’ts For Triathletes On Strava
Three-time Wildflower winner, and Triathlete contributor Jesse Thomas provides a guide for triathletes using Strava.
One-Hour Workout: From Base To Race Run
This 60-minute session from coach Tony Zamora will help you transition from long base training to more race-specific efforts.
Video: 5 Dynamic Warm-Up Exercises For Cyclists
Instructors from George Hincapie's cycling camp give five dynamic warm-up exercises to do before you hop on your bike.
Steal A Pro’s Workout: Jürgen’s “Zack Attack”
This bike session is a combination of low cadence/high resistance and high cadence/low resistance work.
Do Speedwork Now, Benefit Later
Don’t save speedwork for the few weeks before your race—prioritize it now for a boost later in the season.
Bike Intervals And Core Work In One Session
Try this interval session when you only have an hour or less to get in a bike ride and core work.
One-Hour Workout: Bike Tempo And Cornering Skills Session
This bike workout will reinforce skills and teach you how to pace yourself.
Perfect Your Swim Dive
An efficient, powerful dive isn’t just for ITU athletes—it’s a useful skill that makes you a more well-rounded swimmer (and looks cooler at Masters practice).
The Benefits Of A Strong Core
The real reason to strive for the elusive six-pack.
Video: Iron-Distance Swim Tips From Dylan McNeice
Defending Challenge Taiwan champ—and super swimmer—Dylan McNeice shares advice for tackling the first leg of a triathlon.
Dear Coach: How Can I Make My Transitions Faster?
Coach Katie Malone provides advice for tackling triathlon's fourth discipline: transitions.
Dispatch: Longevity In Iron-Distance Racing
250. That’s the total iron-distance finishes logged by three racers: Petr Vabrousek (138), Hillary Biscay (63) and Belinda Granger (49).
Debate: Are Kicking Sets That Important?
Beyond initially learning how to kick, how important are kicking sets? Sara McLarty debates this month’s contender: Shaun Guest.
Andy Potts’ Cold-Water Swim Tips
Don't let a chilly swim derail your race before you reach T1. Top swimmer Andy Potts shares his advice for competing in a cold-water race.
One-Hour Workout: Open Water Partner Swim
Get familiar with the open water before your first race of the season with this session.
Understanding Your Natural Running Pace
Have you ever wondered why your standard “jogging” pace is what it is?
Meredith Kessler Shares Her Recovery Tips
The 2014 Ironman New Zealand champ chats about fueling after a workout, getting enough sleep and having the right mindset to recover.
Dispatch: Pro Tips For Mental Toughness
Several of the professional athletes headlining Challenge Taiwan share advice for staying mentally tough when the body lags behind.
Victor Del Corral’s Hardest Workout
The back-to-back Ironman champ uses this workout to prep for the Ironman marathon.
Dispatch: Saddle Sore Tips From A Top Cyclist
Emma Pooley knows how to deal with saddle sores—and how to avoid them in the first place.
Training With A High Heart Rate Over Long Distances
I have a high heart rate (160–170) when I work out, regardless of perceived effort. Will this limit me in longer distances?
One-Hour Workout: “Tired” Swimming
This swim workout from coach Tony Zamora will force you to have to swim on tired arms, while remaining focused on proper form and technique.
Overcome Your Triathlon Weakness
Address your weakest triathlon leg (swim, bike or run) with advice from coach Luis Vargas.
Coach’s Note By Lance Watson: Break Through Your Fitness Plateau
Three plans to help you boost your form for 2014 and hopefully set a few PRs in the process.
Kim Schwabenbauer: Behind Her Breakthrough
Kim Schwabenbauer shares the lessons she picked up in her rookie year—and how they’ve helped lift her to a new level in the sport.
Should You Count Swim Strokes?
Optimal stroke count is highly individual. It can depend on your height, speed, fatigue level and workout length. Should you count your strokes often while swimming?
Screw Your Weaknesses
Jesse Thomas' three-step plan to conquering all the stuff you suck at.
Video: Wurteles’ Advice For Overcoming The Cold
Canadians Trevor and Heather Wurtele provide tips for not letting the cold get to you at races like Ironman 70.3 California.
Ask Coach Sara: The Optimal Strokes Per Breath
Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.
Dispatch: Till Schramm On Tackling The Bike And More
Schramm shares his tips for tackling tough bike courses, as well as his best advice for balancing sport and travel with family life.
Make The Most Of Your Half-Ironman Taper
The key is to taper smart and remember that no matter what you do, you’re not going to gain any fitness in the last week.
Treating And Preventing Knee Arthritis
Suffering from pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee? Learn how to maintain fitness while reducing the wear and tear on your knees.
Luke McKenzie’s Hardest Workout
The 2013 Kona runner-up uses this cycling workout in his Ironman buildup.
One-Hour Workout: Individual Medley Ladder
Try this 3800 IM ladder from Atlanta-based coach Andrew Shanks.
We Raced It: Abu Dhabi’s TriYas By Active Life
We went to Abu Dhabi to check out TriYAS by Activelife, a sprint and Olympic-distance race.
Choosing Your Riding Partners
The latest research suggests that to get the biggest return on your bike training, it’s best to log miles in the company of others.
Swim Workout: St Paddy’s Day Drills
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we bring you a holiday-themed drill set.
One-Minute Exercise: Oblique Crunch
Chris Lieto and his coach Matt Dixon utilize the TRX Suspension Trainer to show us the oblique crunch.
Video: Dogbone Drill
When done properly, Bobby McGee says this drill is helpful for balance, coordinating the shoulders with the hips.
Video: The Recovery Portion Of The Freestyle Stroke
Sara McLarty demonstrate the recovery portion of the freestyle stroke.
One-Hour Workout: Early-Season Brick Session
The goal of this early-season session from coach Mike Portman is to ease your body back into running efficiently off the bike.
Beginner’s Corner: Choosing A Goal And Making Time
New to triathlon? Pick a race, identify your mission and get organized!
Avoid Injury This Spring
The two busiest times of year for triathlon injuries are spring and fall.
Triathlon Advice For Beginners From Jesse Thomas
Honest advice for avoiding common mistakes in your first triathlon from Jesse Thomas.
Do Your Kids Want To Get Into Triathlon?
Kid-friendly advice from USAT’s top youth coach.
One-Hour Workout: Swim-Bike-Run-Swim-Run Race Simulation
This fast-paced workout mimics the super-sprint distance that is becoming more popular as of last year.
Stuck Inside? Try One Of These Workouts
Is the winter weather wreaking havoc with your outdoor training? Here are several options for an indoor session.
Coach’s Note By Lance Watson: Greater Performance Via Association And Flow
LifeSport head coach Lance Watson writes about achieving greater athletic results by learning to control mental processes.
One Hour Workout: Bike Intervals + Core Work
Bike intervals and a series of core workouts make for a fast-paced session that can be completed at home or at the gym.
Ask Coach Sara: How To Use A Snorkel In Training
Your Twitter questions about swimming as a triathlete, answered by coach Sara McLarty.
Triathlete’s Best Races For Beginners
Do you participate for the food? Are you scared of the swim? Want to feel like a pro? Pick the triathlon that best suits your personality.
Outsmart Your Seasonal Allergies
Don’t let pollen and mold keep you from training this spring.
One-Hour Workout: “Pull Power” Swim Set
This 3500-yard set includes almost 1000 yards of pulling, making it a good strength-building workout for the upper body.
Lessons From Bob Babbitt: What NOT To Do At Your First Race
Learn from the mistakes Bob has seen to avoid humbling moments at your next race.
Ask A Triathlon Ref: Accepting Help From A Fellow Competitor
Unauthorized Assistance is a rule that is often misunderstood and could cause a well-meaning athlete to unwittingly be penalized.
The Most Effective Way To Become A Better Swimmer
Watching a video of your own stroke is perhaps the most effective way of addressing inefficiencies and finding new speed.
One-Hour Workout: Billat’s 30-30
This brainchild of French exercise scientist Veronique Billat may be the best workout you’ve never done.
Sports Drinks For Women
Two electrolyte-rich drinks aim to meet the specific needs of women.
Dispatch: Chrysalis–A Kick-Butt Brick Session From Challenge Family And The Sufferfest
This week in "Dispatch," Holly Bennett previews a new bike/run training video available from the Challenge Family and Sufferfest.
Rules Of Ironman Recovery
How much rest do you need between long-distance races?
Ask Coach Sara: Stopping Your Legs From Sinking
How do I stop my legs from sinking/dropping in the water?
Beginner’s Corner: Starting Where You Are
"Beginner's Corner" is a new monthly column from coach Lucy Smith aimed at helping beginner triathletes as they jump into the sport.
Power Your Swim Kick: Forward Motion
A strong kick in the water can lead to faster swim times. Try these kick set workouts provided by Gary Hall Sr.