#6: Avoid taking it too seriously. It's your first year, so you don't need to expect to win anything anyway. Learn to enjoy swimming, enjoy being in the saddle, explore your city with your running. Becoming obsessed with aerodynamics, worrying about threshold numbers, and spending thousands on gear can come later.
These are great tips. I think a lot of beginners (including me when I started) try to just on too fast and too hard. Then burn out. Avoiding this can really help long term motivation.
You got this! Four months of consistent swimming should put you ahead of quite a few people in your first race. Don't be afraid to ask the lifeguards for swimming tips!
I am looking to trim my time down on my swim portion of the race and I agree that technique is so important to achieving this in your racing experience. I too would like to work towards this aspect of lengthening out my body and getting better at my stroke to be more streamlined in the water thus eventually my time and distance, and fatigue will all improve in their own rights getting me to my goal eventually. Thanks so much for your tips and training in helping me achieve my goals this year.
Taren - thank you for all your great training tips. I went from being a near non-swimmer level at frontcrawl to comfortably swimming 500m sets in that stroke, just by learning how to relax, breathe and be more efficient.
This gives me hope... I am a runner (former crossfit type) that has taken up cycling.. and now am interested in Tri. The only hangup - can't swim. I am about to tackle this demon and get on with it. Nice to hear it can be tamed. Already have a good cycling start - terrified to take the leap in get swimming. Well done you.
As an ex-lifeguard I thought it would be fun to try Triathlon. I occasionally went for a leisure swim and remember being surprised about how slow the Tri-amateur clubs were and thought they're just doing technique. Oh boy did I just not realize swimming is the least important bit at amateur level.
You got me on not having a set schedule. I brick every time I bike, varying distances depending on how hard my runs are that bookend the bike/brick workout. I’m guessing at the balance, so I do need a structured plan.Thank you!
Thanks taren I'm almost out of the sport because i did push too much on running.. i did manage to run sub 1 on 10km for just a month of running and i it ended up with what im suffering runners knee how i wish i watch this vid a couple of months ago 😭😭😭.. but now i have the idea to strengthen up my body in easiest and effective way.. thanks for making great vid..
No mention of nutrition?!?! I know you've made some great nutrition videos, but if I could add one thing to your beginner's list, it would be: "Don't develop poor eating habits". Now that I'm over 50 (gulp), I can't (shouldn't) eat cookies and drink cola at the aid stations anymore. Seems the older I get, the more advantageous it is for me to eat foods that are beneficial to my body (e.g., I do soooo much better in my brick workouts if I have a bowl of oatmeal with bananas first, instead of Count Chocula! Or worse, not eating at all). Thank you for all of your great advice, excellent work!
My athletic history is in swimming and cross country running. Im severely out of shape for running so I do a straight 15 min run/walk not worrying about speed or distance.
came from a swimming background and i never realized how easy it is to get injured from running until i started getting into triathlon. I have a very big heelstriking habit that i cant get rid of and am trying to improve on my technique.
Hey, just found your channel. I’ve just signed up to my first triathlon and beginners training course with my local triathlon club, and vlogging it 😬.Thanks for creating this great resource, think it will come in very handy!
Thanks, I’ve found the content really valuable so far. So glad I found this community! I’d love to see a video on improving your breathing while running. Sounds really simple but it’s something I really struggle to get into a rhythm with, I’d find it highly valuable. Thanks Cara x
I dunno man the no-schedule approach works really well for me. If I am having a day where I haven't had good sleep and feel bad I don't think it's good to still go hard. I rather have a short swim, do some stretches, and call it a day. On the other hand I often wake up feeling great and then I don't want to be constrained I want to get on the bike and just go as long and hard as I possibly can until I'm shaking with exhaustion. These are the plateau-busting days. The key for me is that I do keep track of what I have done, and if I look at that log and see okay I haven't had a hard swimming session in 3 weeks, just 5 short ones, then okay I know next time I'm feeling good, that's what I have to do. So I still have some constraints on how I train. But I give myself a lot of flexibility within that to listen to my body. Motivation has not been a problem. I stop exercising I start feeling like crap within days and I have to go exercise again. BTW never done a triathlon, just been cycling for 25 years and started swimming 2 years ago and started running last month and I want to try a triathlon in December.
For some reasons, I can’t seem to swim off the bat 30-40 laps without stopping to breathe yet. It would take 3-4 laps at the start. Break 30 seconds to a min then I can go the rest of swim from there. I started swimming 1 month ago. It’s like the lungs need to adjust. It’s frustrating. If this happens in a race, I would have to breast strokes for a while. I hope this changes overtime.
Solid advice. I made 2 huge mistakes right out of the gate: 1) running: too hard, too soon and too often. My joints (hip) was not ready and i injured myself badly causing a huge loss of time not training well. 2) schedule: i used the "I'll see how i feel" approach. This turned to "Default to cycle". Many pros on podcasts advocate a SHIF, but when you are new - any schedule is better than no schedule. "hit it with 70% accuracy but that beats the hell out of zero" (Jordan Peterson ua-cam.com/video/aVhj_phpAYQ/v-deo.html ). This year, increasing distances with more thought. And, I use Google Calendar to plan out all my training including non training days. This really helps out the other people in your life. Give them access to your schedule and it makes a huge difference to them. Thanks, Taren.
You should get on excel 😂😂 I’m a scientist so have to collect data for analysis. being able to graph changes over time and adjust training schedule based off progress really helps if I change something I can see how that affects my progress. Track : weight, tests for (swimming, running, and biking) , nutrition, supplements, strength. Anything I change I can test if there is a statistically significant difference in performance metrics. Never ran a triathlon but plan to next year hopefully my obsessiveness for detail really helps i’m at least making a ton of progress.
I like to set a certain amount of time for my run practices and not worry about the distance. Developing the mental strength to run for any real amount of time can be difficult, so just treating it as a run/walk and enjoying just moving without feeling overly sore or hurting is important. For beginners and people out of shape, they may only get in a little over a mile in a 15 minute practice. As you get comfortable with the 15 min, you’ll be able to add a little more running. Then add a little distance. Before you know it, you’re running a little over 2 miles and not feeling sore or injured. Personally my schedule is: Monday: Swim / run Tuesday: Bike / run Wednesday: Swim / run Thursday: Bike / run Friday: Swim / Bike Saturday: Long bike Sunday: Rest
Yes!!! All boxes ticked. Say Taren, do you think I am overdoing it, training 8, 9 times a week, preparing for my first sprint distance triathlon I have planned this spring? I do have a half marathon and a mountain marathon planned for the same period as well :)
Yes, yes, YES! Ijuries exist from before, I kind of learn to live with it. The improvments are constant and pretty big in some cases. Especially in my running. Well, that is the only discipline I can make comparisons. So it also adds to a fun factor.
Well, you can sign up for Team Trainiac, which is a much more cost-effective alternative to one-on-one coaching with basically the same benefits. teamtrainiac.com
You do not need a coach....set up your own plan, with all of thought about your own life and goals. Execute your own plan.....build a base, enjoy, do some speed work....and go have a good race.
OMG I love Taren. He is sooo funny. I'm doing my first tri at 69 years old in less than 2 weeks. I have been a swimmer and athlete most of my life so I am sure I can complete the sprint distance, but Taren's tips are invaluable. Thanks buddy. Love the stuffed crying emoji in your crotch.
I’m Already love you my boy you are awesome not like me I’m better jajajajajajajajj lol ... nottttttt I’m just kidding but for real I’m grateful that you exist and giving us and the new athletes the real information to succeed I love you and keep doing this for life you are the sweetie pumpkin pie lol Cuba love I been a triathlete all my life
One more time, since you do not respond,......do NOT do any bricks........EVER, and you will almost never be injured.....Pick a personal goal and get after it as best you can.....This is a gross motor sport......"what do you call a person who does nothing well????......Triathlete....LOL. When you race, go hard on the bike, and then spin down for the last 8 percent and then jog into your run....It has been done by the masses before the internet.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
#6: Avoid taking it too seriously. It's your first year, so you don't need to expect to win anything anyway. Learn to enjoy swimming, enjoy being in the saddle, explore your city with your running. Becoming obsessed with aerodynamics, worrying about threshold numbers, and spending thousands on gear can come later.
Donald Johnston I agree. I thought I'd win my first sprint tri. I was really disappointed when I didn't. I should have been thrilled that I finished!
exactly. I have seen it with many sports. People go in 120% and then quit after a few months, maybe a year. First enjoy it, then master it.
Win????? Ain't nevvvva gonna win the GC anyway in a year......
These are great tips. I think a lot of beginners (including me when I started) try to just on too fast and too hard. Then burn out. Avoiding this can really help long term motivation.
You have a friendly approach and a good sense of humor while delivering great information.
tomrrow I start my swim-training for a race in 4 month. Just for the record, I haven't swim in like 10 years. Wish me luck !(Y)
You got this! Four months of consistent swimming should put you ahead of quite a few people in your first race. Don't be afraid to ask the lifeguards for swimming tips!
You're going to be great!
absolutely spot on!! I’m in Year two and these things are still vital!
I am looking to trim my time down on my swim portion of the race and I agree that technique is so important to achieving this in your racing experience. I too would like to work towards this aspect of lengthening out my body and getting better at my stroke to be more streamlined in the water thus eventually my time and distance, and fatigue will all improve in their own rights getting me to my goal eventually. Thanks so much for your tips and training in helping me achieve my goals this year.
Taren - thank you for all your great training tips. I went from being a near non-swimmer level at frontcrawl to comfortably swimming 500m sets in that stroke, just by learning how to relax, breathe and be more efficient.
Oh man, I love hearing that!! Thanks for letting me know, Luke, that really makes me feel like doing this stuff is worthwhile.
This gives me hope... I am a runner (former crossfit type) that has taken up cycling.. and now am interested in Tri. The only hangup - can't swim. I am about to tackle this demon and get on with it. Nice to hear it can be tamed. Already have a good cycling start - terrified to take the leap in get swimming. Well done you.
As an ex-lifeguard I thought it would be fun to try Triathlon. I occasionally went for a leisure swim and remember being surprised about how slow the Tri-amateur clubs were and thought they're just doing technique. Oh boy did I just not realize swimming is the least important bit at amateur level.
Super helpful!! And the crotch lighting 😂 too funny
You got me on not having a set schedule. I brick every time I bike, varying distances depending on how hard my runs are that bookend the bike/brick workout.
I’m guessing at the balance, so I do need a structured plan.Thank you!
Thanks taren I'm almost out of the sport because i did push too much on running.. i did manage to run sub 1 on 10km for just a month of running and i it ended up with what im suffering runners knee how i wish i watch this vid a couple of months ago 😭😭😭.. but now i have the idea to strengthen up my body in easiest and effective way.. thanks for making great vid..
No mention of nutrition?!?! I know you've made some great nutrition videos, but if I could add one thing to your beginner's list, it would be: "Don't develop poor eating habits". Now that I'm over 50 (gulp), I can't (shouldn't) eat cookies and drink cola at the aid stations anymore. Seems the older I get, the more advantageous it is for me to eat foods that are beneficial to my body (e.g., I do soooo much better in my brick workouts if I have a bowl of oatmeal with bananas first, instead of Count Chocula! Or worse, not eating at all). Thank you for all of your great advice, excellent work!
My athletic history is in swimming and cross country running. Im severely out of shape for running so I do a straight 15 min run/walk not worrying about speed or distance.
came from a swimming background and i never realized how easy it is to get injured from running until i started getting into triathlon. I have a very big heelstriking habit that i cant get rid of and am trying to improve on my technique.
I'm starting out and I'm just enjoying the training and tips for now. Thanks for the video
You're welcome!
Hey, just found your channel. I’ve just signed up to my first triathlon and beginners training course with my local triathlon club, and vlogging it 😬.Thanks for creating this great resource, think it will come in very handy!
Thanks Cara, glad you've joined us! Hope this helps!
Thanks, I’ve found the content really valuable so far. So glad I found this community! I’d love to see a video on improving your breathing while running. Sounds really simple but it’s something I really struggle to get into a rhythm with, I’d find it highly valuable. Thanks Cara x
Thank you for this video. Nice to have the info on each discipline.... Hahaha love the lit crocth and terd pillow cover up... You're too funny.
Oh this is gold. Thank you.
Valuable information
Thank you. Shout out from Taiwan 🇹🇼
The last sentences were very motivating. :D
I dunno man the no-schedule approach works really well for me. If I am having a day where I haven't had good sleep and feel bad I don't think it's good to still go hard. I rather have a short swim, do some stretches, and call it a day. On the other hand I often wake up feeling great and then I don't want to be constrained I want to get on the bike and just go as long and hard as I possibly can until I'm shaking with exhaustion. These are the plateau-busting days. The key for me is that I do keep track of what I have done, and if I look at that log and see okay I haven't had a hard swimming session in 3 weeks, just 5 short ones, then okay I know next time I'm feeling good, that's what I have to do. So I still have some constraints on how I train. But I give myself a lot of flexibility within that to listen to my body. Motivation has not been a problem. I stop exercising I start feeling like crap within days and I have to go exercise again. BTW never done a triathlon, just been cycling for 25 years and started swimming 2 years ago and started running last month and I want to try a triathlon in December.
Welcome to the neighbourhood Taren, Kym and paw family! Cheers.
decades to come? omg what did I get myself into.. I get nervous when I sign a two year cell phone contract (scared face emoji)
Hahah... nah, don't be scared.
For some reasons, I can’t seem to swim off the bat 30-40 laps without stopping to breathe yet. It would take 3-4 laps at the start. Break 30 seconds to a min then I can go the rest of swim from there. I started swimming 1 month ago. It’s like the lungs need to adjust. It’s frustrating. If this happens in a race, I would have to breast strokes for a while. I hope this changes overtime.
Could these run tips have prevented me from getting ITB right before my first ever triathlon? 🙈 and can it ever be fixed?? How? Tips please!!
Solid advice. I made 2 huge mistakes right out of the gate: 1) running: too hard, too soon and too often. My joints (hip) was not ready and i injured myself badly causing a huge loss of time not training well. 2) schedule: i used the "I'll see how i feel" approach. This turned to "Default to cycle". Many pros on podcasts advocate a SHIF, but when you are new - any schedule is better than no schedule. "hit it with 70% accuracy but that beats the hell out of zero" (Jordan Peterson ua-cam.com/video/aVhj_phpAYQ/v-deo.html ). This year, increasing distances with more thought. And, I use Google Calendar to plan out all my training including non training days. This really helps out the other people in your life. Give them access to your schedule and it makes a huge difference to them. Thanks, Taren.
You should get on excel 😂😂 I’m a scientist so have to collect data for analysis. being able to graph changes over time and adjust training schedule based off progress really helps if I change something I can see how that affects my progress. Track : weight, tests for (swimming, running, and biking) , nutrition, supplements, strength. Anything I change I can test if there is a statistically significant difference in performance metrics. Never ran a triathlon but plan to next year hopefully my obsessiveness for detail really helps i’m at least making a ton of progress.
I like to set a certain amount of time for my run practices and not worry about the distance. Developing the mental strength to run for any real amount of time can be difficult, so just treating it as a run/walk and enjoying just moving without feeling overly sore or hurting is important. For beginners and people out of shape, they may only get in a little over a mile in a 15 minute practice. As you get comfortable with the 15 min, you’ll be able to add a little more running. Then add a little distance. Before you know it, you’re running a little over 2 miles and not feeling sore or injured.
Personally my schedule is:
Monday: Swim / run
Tuesday: Bike / run
Wednesday: Swim / run
Thursday: Bike / run
Friday: Swim / Bike
Saturday: Long bike
Sunday: Rest
I hear ya🙈 me too
Can I do a triathlon(0.75km swim,5km run,10km cycle) with a 4week training?
I like to say “a respect of the sport is a must” sadly most of us, me included that first year we just don’t get it.
Comes with time and experience!
Yes!!! All boxes ticked.
Say Taren, do you think I am overdoing it, training 8, 9 times a week, preparing for my first sprint distance triathlon I have planned this spring? I do have a half marathon and a mountain marathon planned for the same period as well :)
ObiwanSchinobi Are you seeing improvements, staying injury free and having fun? If yes to all three, you aren't doing too much!
Yes, yes, YES!
Ijuries exist from before, I kind of learn to live with it. The improvments are constant and pretty big in some cases. Especially in my running. Well, that is the only discipline I can make comparisons. So it also adds to a fun factor.
Hi ! I've got 10 days to train for a triathlon and try to win it? What should I do?
You literally must be joking.
Train 6 days, and taper 4.....good to go. Prob finish 2nd, not first....
How does one find a coach? I’m in Michigan if it matters.
Well, you can sign up for Team Trainiac, which is a much more cost-effective alternative to one-on-one coaching with basically the same benefits. teamtrainiac.com
You do not need a coach....set up your own plan, with all of thought about your own life and goals. Execute your own plan.....build a base, enjoy, do some speed work....and go have a good race.
OMG I love Taren. He is sooo funny. I'm doing my first tri at 69 years old in less than 2 weeks. I have been a swimmer and athlete most of my life so I am sure I can complete the sprint distance, but Taren's tips are invaluable. Thanks buddy. Love the stuffed crying emoji in your crotch.
What’s a brick workout
One exercise followed by another straight after i.e. cycling for an hour and then going straight into a run.
👍💯
Biggest waste of money = a team.
Also avoid running in work boots. :) lol
I’m Already love you my boy you are awesome not like me I’m better jajajajajajajajj lol ... nottttttt I’m just kidding but for real I’m grateful that you exist and giving us and the new athletes the real information to succeed I love you and keep doing this for life you are the sweetie pumpkin pie lol Cuba love I been a triathlete all my life
Crap.
LOL
First
Thecyclingcricketer the mannnnn
One more time, since you do not respond,......do NOT do any bricks........EVER, and you will almost never be injured.....Pick a personal goal and get after it as best you can.....This is a gross motor sport......"what do you call a person who does nothing well????......Triathlete....LOL. When you race, go hard on the bike, and then spin down for the last 8 percent and then jog into your run....It has been done by the masses before the internet.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
TREACY MCCAMEY who was the triathlete that left you in their dust Treacy?
Bricks would help prevent injury not cause them