Well, my training anyway! A common thought process from Triathletes and Endurance athletes.
Getting through Christmas as a Triathlete can be tough going! All those parties, rich food, wine, beer and mince pies. The athletes southern hemisphere have different challenges to the those in the north.
In Australia its race season. Its also summer and hot (which also makes Christmas a bit weird... although we get it first so that's ok!).
In Europe and America its the winter... its dark in the mornings and evenings... oh and its cold!
Different challenges but not really. So how do you get through the Christmas Period?
Consistency is key. Balance is key. Sustainability is key. Oh... and moderation is key!
Lets start with training.
Its tough, as everyone around you is doing lots of celebrating. You have various family activities planned. Maybe the mother in law (;-)) is coming to stay... and she will not understand your need t turbo or run or swim really early in the morning. Your mind is gnawing away you telling you to be good, you have to get up and train... you have a race coming up... or you will put on weight.
For a start one mince pie will not add 5kgs!
So enjoy one or two (moderation). As for fitting in training around all the family stuff, sit down with your partner / kids and have a chat about when you can train. Get them to support you. Encourage them to help where possible... maybe your kids will do your washing in effort to make it onto Santa's 'nice' list?! If you can agree how much time you have, then your coach can schedule in your training for your plan (balance).
What will really help is doing something everyday - or almost everyday. Ask your coach what are the key sessions you need to do. Discuss them in the family meeting above. Try and make sure there is time for those sessions. Then agree how much time you have on the other days. Even if it is just 30 min. I know coaches can provide a hell of a workout in 30 minutes. If that is all the time you have, accept it... but know that you are keeping your body ticking over and working out (consistency).
Thinking about a Triathlon or IRONMAN coach?
Christmas can be draining.
No... not just the wine out of the glass... it can be demanding of your time. It can, stupidly, get stressful. Use your training time to help de-stress and give you focus. Make the most of the time you have. However, if you have only been set a 30 min session... don't then go and do an hour. This will:
- piss off your partner!
- frustrate your coach as you have deviated from the plan
- mean you have been bad and Santa won't bring you any presents
- make you more tired than you should be
Being tired is what we are trying to avoid. Doing what you are set, feeling the session but able to wake up the next day ready to go again is far more productive to Triathlon, than going out there smashing one session then being sore the next day (sustainability).
Couple of other bits of coaching advice:
- Christmas comes once a year... enjoy it
- Its family time... enjoy it
- Its party time... enjoy it, but... just do not go mad
AND: If you are drinking - try and alternate your beverage of choice with a glass of water.
Give yourself something to aim for, or look forward too in 2019. Pick a race to aim at. Challenge yourself...
Triathlon & IRONMAN Coaching
Paul is a professional full time coach who offers a comprehensive coaching service for triathletes. With 15 years international coaching experience and a thorough knowledge of the sport and what it takes to achieve success. Paul is driven by empowering athletes to achieve their sporting challenges. He caters for triathletes aiming to better their performance in Ironman or Ironman 70.3. In addition Paul has coached athletes from around the world to ITU World Age Group Championships, national, regional & state titles in a variety of distances.
