7 Habits of Highly Effective Triathletes

Training for June 9th Olympic Tri has begun! Today is my third official day of training and will be a brick workout consisting of a three mile run and a 500m swim - not a shabby way of starting a training program eh? As I look ahead to more challenging work outs I notice that every fourth week is a recovery week and I finding myself wondering if I should fall back on mileage as the week suggests or keep the mileage consistent for a second week. So... I did what I do best, researched!

I came across an article, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Triathletes (sounds familiar to any Steve Covey fans?) written by Jason Karp that looked to many succesful triathletes and their training regiments to compile a list of, well,  seven effective habits!

1. Adequate Training - pick a plan
2. Consistent Training - follow the plan
3. Adequate Recovery - highlights the importance of recovery weeks in building muscle and supporting endurance including how after a hard work out your body isn't stronger, in fact it is weaker until your body is given adequate recovery time. My question answered - if I find myself completing strenuous workouts, pushing my muscles to a higher peak, than I need to give my body those recovery weeks in the form of less mileage.
4. Setting Goals - obtainable and motivating
5. Coach - find a partner or coach that you can reflect on training with
6. Nutrition - take care of your body from the inside out
7. Positive attitude - training is just as much for the mind as it is the body. Learning to recognize  your negative voice in your head telling you to slow down and then conquering it with the positive voice that reminds you that you can go faster!



This is for recovery time (just not yet),
<3 Running Girl