Most triathletes kick off the year with clear goals and a spring race or two to shake off the post-season cobwebs. By mid-season, however, many triathletes struggle to maintain their motivation as training starts to feel less exciting and more routine–the mid-season slump. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, here are a few tips to stay focused on your goals and fired up about reaching them.
Happy Cinco de Mayo
Thank goodness it’s Friday! But this year, May 5 is not just any Friday—it’s Cinco de Mayo! All over the country, you’ll find margarita mix, chips, and premade guacamole front and center in grocery stores. If you, like me, are tempted by these treats, don’t worry—there’s a smart way to work them into your nutrition and training plan that won’t derail you from reaching your goals. [Read more…]
Bouncing Back after an Illness
There’s almost nothing triathletes loathe more than being sidelined with an illness. The idea of lying in bed or slumbering on the couch while our friends are out training is sheer torture! We panic and visualize our hard earned fitness slipping away. In our short-sighted thinking we either push through only delaying the illness and missing more workouts, or we take a step back, think long term, view it as a life giving us a rest day(s), and get well.
The Three Biggest Mistakes Made by Athletes
Triathletes devote precious time, energy, and hard earned money on the single goal of reaching the finish line faster than the time before. From the lightest, most aero triathlon bike – sleekest helmet – tightest kit – customized training plan- to the most precise fuel/hydration plan and daily nutrition protocol, the odds are in our favor, right? You’d hope so with this level of attention to detail, but without proper recovery, all of that “devotion” is for not.
Dieting Pitfalls: What every athlete should know about dieting
For many people, a new year means a new resolution. You’re ready to finally change those pesky hard-to-shake habits. I’d venture to guess that weight loss is the MOST universal New Year’s resolution of all time. Why am I so confident? Quick fixes, fad diets, liquid diets, detoxes, fasting, diets that depend on a company’s proprietary products and supplements, diets that remove whole food groups, and diets that leave you feeling hungry have been around for eternity and will persist simply because they are NOT designed to work. Yep, there I said it. The truth is, [Read more…]
Vitamin D, Calcium and Bone Health in Endurance Athletes
As the days get shorter and the temps cooler it’s officially post-season for triathletes who live and train in the northern hemisphere. During these months, we flock to indoor pools, indoor trainer sessions, and camp out on treadmills. Despite following a balanced and varied diet, the prevalence of low vitamin D, deficient calcium consumption combined with reduced sunlight exposure [Read more…]
Post Season Eating Guidelines
It is a common belief among endurance triathletes that we perform at a higher level with a lean, mean fighting machine. And, after all, we spend numerous training hours donning skintight attire that leaves little to the imagination. Triathletes come in all shapes and sizes and shouldn’t be judged by their appearance. The art of comparison runs rampant in the triathlon world, [Read more…]
Post Kona Recovery
Congratulations for reaching the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona. And, every training session, preparatory race and personal sacrifices devoted to this one magical race will culminate as you run those last meters down Ali Drive toward the finish stage. It is a moment you will never forget. Mike Reilly will call out your name and announce you an Ironman, leis will be hung around your neck, a bottle of water placed in your hand and you’ll be sent off to either medical (let’s hope not) or to collect your finishers medal and picture and reunited with your loved ones. [Read more…]