We previously published a guest post from someone that said triathlons helped them feel better. However, not everybody knows what they can do to prepare for them.
Triathlons are amazing life achievements. If you’re going to partake in one, then it’s only fitting that you make the most of the opportunity. There are also a lot of great health benefits of doing a triathlon that you should be aware of.
Of course, some people can feel intimidated at the start of this journey. Triathlons can seem like an event reserved for the elite and perhaps even some boastful athletes. However, so long as one is prepared to try their best and do some preparation, anybody can get involved. They can all enjoy the physical and psychological health benefits of participating.
Additionally, more college athletes are also enjoying triathlons in some areas, which bodes well for the future of multisport. You don’t have to be young to get involved either, but it’s helpful to know there’s fresh interest in these activities. Now could be the perfect time to get started with triathlons yourself.
Still, there are some things beginners should consider, especially if they don’t want their participation to be a one-off but more the start of a new journey. Here are some tips that might be useful to know in that aim.
Get Insurance
Triathlons can pose some concerns to the uninsured. If the risks are weighing on your mind, it may put a damper on the overall experience. A lifelong passion may be less likely under those circumstances. After all, there are a lot of problems with being uninsured in America.
Therefore, it’s in your best interest to alleviate some of these burdens, and insurance is often the answer when it comes to the triathlon. Paperwork may not be your first thought as a beginner, but the assurances these measures provide can clear your headspace for actually doing and enjoying the triathlon itself.
For example, there’s insurance for triathletes in many areas, such as insuring any bicycles used. You can find race coverage and safeguards against theft and damages here. Should you wish to explore triathlons in another country, then worldwide coverage can be sought too. Bicycles can be pricey for triathletes, so having a way to protect your investment will undoubtedly bring a huge amount of peace of mind.
Though you might be a beginner with triathlons, proper coverage can help you feel less like a rookie. Your activities may feel more legitimate. After all, these arrangements can be maintained long-term, too, being utilized by beginners and veterans of multisports.
Explore Other Fitness Aspects
Triathlons are prepped for in many different ways. You’ll need to draw on different aspects of your endurance to succeed.
Therefore, you can kickstart a lifelong passion for triathlons by simply exploring related interests. Perhaps you could join a gym community or hire a personal fitness trainer? These experiences can be fulfilling in and of themselves, introduce you to new friends, and help you think about the ultimate goal of completing a triathlon more often.
Of course, honing your technique is the main benefit of exploring other fitness areas. You may gradually progress to back-to-back fitness sessions to build your adaptability to different exercises. Transition training can achieve similar results. As you go through these processes, you should feel stimulated and appreciate the variety that could help you maintain enthusiasm.
Once you’re fitter, healthier, and more sure of what you’re doing, a triathlon will seem like an achievable goal rather than an intimidating spectacle. Equipped with that understanding, anything is possible, and you can charge towards your objectives head-on.
Research the Route
Though you may not have experienced the triathlon route yourself as a beginner, getting a sense of space and place is still a good idea.
Try to go beyond just looking at the event organizer’s website. Have any experienced triathletes given interviews on the route? They have some unique insights to offer. Can you explore the resources of any reputable course rater? These entities could have a rating system and perhaps explain their verdicts in more detail too.
You could also utilize resources like Google earth to explore every inch of the route. That way, you can start to form a plan of how you might pace yourself and gain a stronger sense of where the more challenging parts of the route may appear.
The preparation process can give you confidence. However, it can also be immensely fun on its terms, too. Build your anticipation!
Create a Bonding Opportunity
Triathlons are competitive, but meaningful relationships can be formed within them. Everyone who takes part can be proud and admire those beside them on the same journey.
You could also partake in the triathlon with a loved one. Many people do this, with some families defying serious odds to revel in these moments together. No doubt these moments would be something you and your friends or family would remember forever. Fond memories can be treasured, and wonderful anecdotes shared.
Memories and anecdotes can soon create a sense of legacy and tradition. The best experiences in life are far more likely to be recurring if you have special people to share them with.
Loved ones can push each other the extra mile too. Whether it’s sibling rivalry, encouragement from a romantic partner, or a pat on the shoulder from a best friend or parent figure, these things can give you and the people you care about an extra jolt of energy. Ultimately, you may get more out of your triathlon performance this way.
Pick Certain Triathlon Events
Some triathlon events can have a different purpose from others. They can promote certain causes and values that you may hold dear.
For example, a triathlon recently took place in North Texas where male and female finishers were paid the same, which is, unfortunately, something that isn’t practiced at every event. It allowed moms to feel like they could perform their parenting duties and seek personal enrichment, which is invaluable even if they shouldn’t win a hefty prize money.
Different triathlon events may have other goals in mind. There may be certain charities that are represented that resonate with you. There could be sponsorship deals that give you an in and make you feel more proud to be partaking. These different approaches to triathlons can help them feel much more special to you, not just once but long-term.
A triathlon can speak to who you are beyond fitness. If you’re always looking for new ways to help others and make a stand for the things that matter to you, triathlons could soon be one of your lifelong passions.
Blog Your Experiences
Triathlons can take you all over the world. You can explore new places and meet new people.
A triathlon is a life event that is worthy of being documented. You could share your life-changing experiences online and detail the entire occasion. Ideas can include:
- How you prepared for the triathlon and whether that prep paid off during the event itself.
- Sharing the dramas and challenges that you overcame and telling your personal story.
- Images and video clips of anything exciting that’s related to the triathlon.
- Musings might inspire others to take up triathlons too.
Your triathlon experience can pave the way to creative outlets in your life. Perhaps in a few years, you’ll be able to look back on your blog and chart how much progress you made on your journey.
As a beginner to triathlons, blogging is a perfect way to make light of all the challenges. You can make fun of yourself, sharing any mishaps you’ve experienced. If you enable comments on your posts, you could even build a community of triathlon enthusiasts and share tips with each other. The possibilities are endless here, but it gives you an excuse to keep enjoying triathlons.