Unlike the majority of sports, triathlon is unique and consists of three disciplines. With this variety in training, being a triathlete provides new challenges daily, stressing and strengthening different muscles and always providing for a refreshing experience. Being a triathlete too, demands maintenance- taking care of your body as if it were a machine needing a fine-tuning to operate properly. There are several ways to prevent nagging pains from developing into injuries that hinder your ability to train consistently and put you on the sidelines come race day.
Many triathletes believe that it’s truly the “little things,” often behind the scenes, that keep them healthy and improving. A training regime is invaluable, as it can allow you to measure your fitness gains week to week and move you towards your ultimate goals. However, elements of being a triathlete that are just as important are nutrition, massage and stretching, careful attention to equipment wear out, and the often overlooked benefits of rest.
For any individual, athlete or not, having a healthy balanced diet is a fundamental component of well-being. In taking on the multisport lifestyle, triathletes often find themselves with fierce appetites and a constant need for fuel. Since nutritional choices are very personal, influenced by allergies, specific diets or taste buds, an individualized plan will ensure success and allow you to recover properly and feel energized for tomorrow’s challenges. Certain nutritional supplements can be helpful pre and post workouts for energy or muscle recovery, but real food can provide these benefits as well. It is important to evaluate your nutritional intake as a triathlete to make sure you are getting the proper blend of protein for recovery, carbohydrates and good fats such as Omega 3 for energy, as well as fruits and vegetables for antioxidants and prevention of illness. As endurance athletes, proper nutritional focus can greatly assist in continual thriving and onward momentum in achieving your goals.
Massage, as well as stretching or yoga, can serve in preventing the onset of injury. Often, with more than one session a day, a triathlete’s body can be delayed in feeling the workload and muscular stresses from training. Even if you are able to proceed from one day to the next with no nagging pains or evident stresses, your body could use some self-care through light self-massage or stretching post workouts. This addition to your daily training regime can be the specific ingredient that keeps your muscles happy and your body flawlessly functioning. If you have the time and can afford the costs, massage from a therapist can be beneficial in severing the physical and mental stresses of training, and of life!
Just as your body can feel the wear and tear of miles of swimming, biking and running, your equipment will also provide evidence of the hard work over time. Although it is exciting to see that you have literally ran until your shoes have holes in them, your body will eventually not appreciate the lack of cushioning and support. It is valuable to evaluate the wear out of your equipment to ensure that you are providing your body with the proper foundation to train safely and efficiently. When you begin using a new pair of running shoes or biking shoes, writing the date in permanent marker on the shoe can assist in recognizing when it may be time to invest in a new pair. Running, of the three disciplines, takes the greatest toll on your body with the constant impact, so it is most critical to keep a close eye on this component of a triathlete’s wardrobe.
A word that a triathlete dreads hearing or tries to remove from their vocabulary is rest. The lifestyle of most multisport athletes includes squeezing as much as possible into a twenty-four hour day, and the constant motion becomes addicting and enjoyable. As if triathlon isn’t enough of a challenge in itself, training three disciplines is often blended with daily appointments, being a full time student, spending time with family or a full time job. A day off from training is vital for both physical and mental health. Although it may be difficult to get through a day without an endorphin rush, your body will appreciate the break and reward you in performing as you desire in training and racing. A day of rest can be the perfect time to evaluate what triathlon has brought to your life- friendship and fun, challenge and adventure, health and wellness.
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