Your training schedule for a half marathon should start at least 12 weeks before the actual event. As a beginner, you’ll run 1-2 miles 3 days a week, 3-4 miles 1 day a week, cross train 1 day, and have 2 days of rest. The running miles should increase until your shorter runs reach 5-6 miles and your long runs reach 10 miles. A longtime runner shares how to train for the terrain, what to eat & drink, plus tips for success in your first half marathon.
Competitive Fun
Helpful tips, techniques, and advice for those who enjoy participating in competitive running, biking, or swimming events.
Tips & Suggestions For The Beginner Triathlete: The Ultimate Guide To Getting Started In The Triathlon Sport
Being a devoted triathlete — and all that comes with it — can seem quite overwhelming. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s how I would approach getting started for a newcomber to the sport of triathlon.
An Ultrarunner Shares How To Prevent Blisters When Running Long Distances
I used to get blisters on my feet after 24+ hour ultramarathons. Then I learned this secret to prevent blisters when running: wrapped feet! No more blisters.
Want To Do A 24-Hour Run? Here’s What I Learned At Rockwood… My 24-Hour Trail Ultramarathon
The 24-hour run has become popular, so I’ve decided to share my best tips and recommendations based on my own experience running 24-hour ultramarathons.
Yes, It’s Ultrarunning But You Really Should Be Walking Some. Here’s Why You Need A Run-Walk Strategy
As an ultrarunner, once you get past the marathon and 50-mile distance, you need to add walking in your race strategy. Here’s how to run-walk effectively.
Fastpacking Is A Cross Between Backpacking And Trail Running – Here’s How To Do It & Why You Should
On the one hand, every ultraruuner’s path is different. On the other hand, I have also seen a common progression that goes something like this: A runner trains and runs a half-marathon. They get a taste of long-distance running and seek the holy grail of the marathon. After running multiple marathons, they want a new […]
5 Things To Unlearn About Ultrarunning
Here are 5 ways to embrace the true spirit of ultrarunning. But to do this, you’ll have to unlearn a few things you’ve been told or picked up along the way.
We Interrupt Your Ultra Training Routine To Bring You These 3 Things I Learned From Ultrarunner David Goggins
It’s time to be epic! Let David Goggins help you as he’s helped me. 3 powerful David Goggins quotes to break free from the prison of ultrarunning training!
An Ultra Runner Talks About The Importance Of Core Strengthening Exercises For Runners
I’m an ultrarunner. If you want to run farther and last longer, you need a strong core. Try these core strengthening exercises for runners 2-3 days a week.
6 Ways To Become An Extreme Ultrarunner Right Now
An extreme ultrarunner transcends ordinary physical & mental limits and achieves extraordinary feats of toughness and endurance. Is this you?
An Ultra Runner’s Best Tips For Avoiding Running Injuries
I don’t want to talk about the I-word. I’d prefer to ignore it and get on with my training. I have miles to log, races to run, and PR’s to break. I don’t have time for… well… you know… ‘that.’ Besides, that’s the stuff that happens to other runners, not me. Any problem I have […]
Lessons Learned From My First 12-Hour Ultra Endurance Race
While training for a 50-mile ultramarathon, I signed up for my first 12-hour endurance race. Here are 5 of my ultra-running takeaways – helpful for newbies.
Long Distance Running Tips: How To Lighten Your Load On Long Training Runs
Beyond the marathon distance, 50k and 50-mile running events are where most people with ultramarathon aspirations begin. All ultramarathon training programs involve incrementally increasing the distance of your long runs. The training plan I recently followed for a 12-hour running event included doing several 20+ mile runs, consecutive weekends of running the marathon distance, and […]
Ultramarathon Training Tips – Here’s How To Train And Run Your First Ultramarathon In 16 Weeks
Ultramarathon training is the next natural step after you’ve done a marathon or two. You can train and run an ultramarathon in 16 weeks. Here’s how!
A Collection Of The Best Cold Weather Training Tips For Running, Cycling & Swimming [Triathlete Winter Training]
All the best winter training guidelines for triathletes in search of cold weather training tips for the off-season.
VIDEO: Tips To Prepare You For The Open Water Swim At A Triathlon
In this video, you’ll find some GREAT tips to prepare you for the open water swim portion of a triathlon.
VIDEO: 6 Triathlon Tips For Newbies
See how to put on a wet suit properly. How to quickly transition from the swim to the bike. How to maximize your efforts on the bike. How to accurately track your bike speed. How to transition from the bike to the run. How to keep your energy level up on a hot day.
WARNING: 11 Triathlon Rules You Need To Be Aware Of
The moral to the story is: as a triathlete you must be mindful of the official triathlon rules. By reading this post, you can knock ‘ignorance’ off the list of things that would contribute to you getting disqualified from a triathlon event.
Running Techniques: ChiRunning Focuses On Form Over Speed
ChiRunning is a running technique that results in: injury-free and pain-free running, increased running efficiency, effortless hill running, increased running speed with reduced effort, and greater enjoyment of running.
How To Become A Better Swimmer
I had a rocky start in swimming as a triathlete, but today swimming is the most enjoyable part of training and competing in triathlons for me. If you’re a new triathlete and swimming is your weakest link, here are some things you can do to improve your swimming right now.
Becoming The Peaceful Triathlete: 3 Tips For Success
What would it mean for you to be a peaceful triathlete? How could this help you succeed in being the best triathlete you can be? What follows are some discoveries I have made along the way, which I hope aid you in becoming a peaceful triathlete.
How To Be A Green Triathlete
There’s no question that the sport of triathlon leaves an ecological footprint. Thankfully, more and more triathlon race directors and organizers are going green. Here are some examples, plus tips for being a green triathlete.
3 Things Every Triathlete Should Learn From Lance Armstrong
Following are 3 unique ways that triathletes can benefit from Lance Armstrong’s personal experiences and training.
Cycling Aerodynamics 101 For Triathletes
When it comes to cycling, there are 4 basic ways that air moves around you. Here’s how to maximize your aerodynamics while cycling and how to find the most aerodynamic position on the bike.
Social Networking Internet Sites For Triathletes
Here are a few benefits of social networking sites for triathletes — from niche networking to race-specific details, and everything in between. You’ll find some of the best triathlon sites to focus on, and ones to stay away from.
Importance Of Swimming Technique For Triathletes
Here’s one of those little triathlon ‘secrets’ that takes an amateur awhile to get in their head. Your success and performance as a triathlete will be limited more by your skills than what we typically think of as ‘fitness’. The key: FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE!
Triathlon Vacations: How To Turn A Triathlon Event Into A Family Vacation
There’s a lot involved when traveling and vacationing in conjunction with a triathlon event, but with proper planning, it can be a great trip for all involved. What follows are some tips for turning your next triathlon event into a family vacation.
How To Start A Triathlon Club
Here are the benefits of belonging to a triathlon club, tips for starting a triathlon club yourself, guidelines for organizing your triathlon club, and ways to make your triathlon club successful.
How To Maximize Your Off-Season Triathlon Training
What you do this off-season is immensely important and will largely determine your in-season triathlon performance. One way or another, either through improvement or digression, how you handle the next several weeks in your triathlon training is critical.
Hawaii Ironman: A Triathlete’s Guide
The most prominent triathlon race in the world, the Hawaii Ironman (also known as the Ford Ironman World Championship) will takes place each October. Here is a triathlete’s guide to participating in the Hawaii Ironman event.
Stretch Training & Flexibility For Triathletes
Many amateur athletes don’t place a lot of value on stretching. But professional athletes sure do! And there is no sport where stretching is more important than the sport of triathlon. Triathletes with higher flexibility and elasticity in their muscles, perform more effectively and efficiently than athletes with low-elasticity muscles. Here’s how add a basic stretching plan to your training routine.
Strength Training For Triathletes
What muscles are used in a triathlon? How well your muscles perform when swimming, biking and running comes down to how conditioned your muscles are to generate force within a wide range of motion. Weak, inflexible muscles can’t generate much power and velocity, and are more prone to injury. This is why strength training is a vital part of triathlon training.
Dealing With Wind And Waves During Triathlon Swim Training And Competition
Windy triathlon conditions will at some point come into play at one of your triathlon events. Windy conditions are probably the most adverse weather situation a triathlete has to contend with — especially in the swimming portion of the event. Here’s how to handle high wind and waves when swimming.
The Importance Of Systematic Training For Triathletes
Usually, triathletes preparing for upcoming events take it upon themselves to test the wisdom of systematic training. However, they pay the price for doing so. Here’s how to do systematic training correctly in order to prepare for future triathlon events.
Tips For Successful Transitions In Triathlon Races
It would presumably take hundreds of training hours to lop 2 minutes off your swim time, and yet 1 hour of transition practice would likely take 2 minutes off your transition time. Here are some tips for improving your transition times during a triathlon race.
A New Female Triathlete Shares Her Journey & Fear Of Swimming In Open Water
Diane is a newbie triathlete who shares some tips about getting into the sport of triathlon and how she is dealing with her swimming phobia. Turns out, the fear of swimming in open water is not at all uncommon. Here are some solutions…
Women’s Triathlon Tips: How To Get Started As A Female Triathlete
There are an increasing number of triathlon resources just for women. To get you started, take some time and explore the following women’s triathlon training tips. Plus ideas for triathlon gear and equipment you’ll need.
Packing & Preparing For Triathlon Race Day
I just returned home from a triathlon trip; I competed in an Olympic distance triathlon a few hours from where I live. With it fresh in my mind, what follows are some tips regarding race day of your triathlon — including what to pack and how to prepare the night before the event.
Bike Training: Hills
I have two hill-climbing strategies that get me through most every type of hill on a bike: 1. Focus on your pedaling motion, find a groove. 2. Switch gears a lot when pedaling up hills. Here’s how I switched from fearing hills to conquering them!
Triathlon Training: How To Make Fast Gains As A Beginner Triathlete
Want to make fast gains in tri training? There are no secrets, and yet there are ways a person can maximize their progress in triathlon training. Here are a few to consider:
Your First Sprint Triathlon – What To Expect
What is a Sprint Triathlon? How do you know where to start? What is on-site registration like? Those are a few of the questions you’re likely to have as a new triathlete. It’s also quite possible there will be times when, despite all your training and preparation, there will be a voice in your head as you swim, bike, or run that will call into question whether or not you are going to be able to do it. You CAN do it… here’s how!
Tips For Fine-Tuning Your Triathlon Training Plan
When establishing a triathlon training plan, you need to train in 3 different sports: swimming, biking, running. There are an endless number of training plans to choose from. I would encourage you to think of triathlon training as both a science and an art. Here are some triathlon training plans to consider.
The Dangers Of Over Training For Triathlons
Do you over train? Is it okay to over train… sometimes? I’m a Triathlete and I over train. It’s hard for me to take a day off. Here’s what you should know about overtraining for triathlons — or any sport for that matter!
5 Questions New Triathletes Feel Stupid Asking (But Shouldn’t)
Let’s discuss 5 of the most common questions newbie triathletes have about triathlon training and triathlon events. The topics include: wearing underwear, drinking water, airing up bike tires, signing up for the Hawaii Ironman, and drinking energy drinks vs sports drinks. Here’s what you need to know.
3 Colossal Cycling Mistakes: Been There, Done That
A day in the Tri Life consists of making mistakes — it happens when triathletes are training, as well as on the day of the big event. Mistakes are expected and natural. Here are 3 you might be able to avoid… from someone who’s been there, done that.
If You’re A Triathlete Over 40, Apply Wisdom And Rebellion
Times have changed. These days, ‘old timers’ over 40 are kicking butt and taking names. It’s never too late to start training for triathlons! Here are some inspirational people who’ve done it… over 40.
Choosing A Triathlon Event & Training For Your ‘A-Race’
Whether you’ve just decided to do a triathlon or you’ve already done 30 of them, it’s important to identify a specific triathlon race that you are training to compete in. Doing so gives you a solid goal to work towards, and a focal point to build your training program around. Here’s how to choose a triathlon event, and what you need to know about triathlon races.
Beginner Triathlon Training Programs & Resources
Where do you start to begin training for your first triathlon? Fortunately, you can find some great online triathlon training, as well as triathlon coaching online. There are also a number of triathlon training guides in the form of triathlon training books, DVDs, and lecture series. Here are some beginner triathlon training programs to consider when you are establishing your triathlon training plan.
Triathlete Mistakes: Tips For Making It Through The Newbie Phase As A Swimmer
I thought I was a pretty good swimmer until I joined the Masters Swim class at our local YMCA. There I was – Mr. Triathlon man, ready to show everyone just how triathlony I was! But I was humbled during that first swim class, and I realized I had a lot to learn and a long way to go. I’m so thankful that I decided to stick with the class, despite the rocky start. Here’s why…
Reason #5 To Do Triathlons: An Abundance Of All New Sights, Sounds & Smells
While training for triathlons, try to be fully present in the moment and what’s going on around you. Let yourself enter into the full sensory experience of sight, smell, and sound around you. Your triathlon training will be much more enjoyable
