By Kelly Guest
June 5, 2007 -- After nine years and counting in the sport -- racing ITU, long course, XTERRAs, you name it -- I’ve learned a lot of things . . . some useful . . . others not so much. But the learning process hasn’t always been easy. And, after nearly a decade, triathlon continues to provide a challenge and, as such, the learning continues with every season.
Here’s a summary of a few of the top lessons I’ve learned. You likely have compiled your own list but, if not, hopefully the below can help prevent you from learning at least some of these lessons the hard way.
• I’ve learned that clean bikes always look faster than dirty ones -- and probably are. A clean bike means that someone (probably you) has looked after it and, consequently, it’s less likely that a mechanical glitch will sideline you.
• I’ve learned that when I get to the top of an epic climb, whether riding or running, I generally need to take a moment. The moment is not so much for catching my breath but instead to soak up the climb. Sometimes it’s the view, and other times I just need to take the time to remember how fortunate I am to be able to keep doing this.
• I’ve learned that if I don’t stretch, my feet swell . . . further, if I drink an entire cup of soya sauce in under 20 seconds on a dare, my whole body swells.
• I’ve learned that if my training program is written down I am far more likely to follow it, and if it’s given to me by a coach, I am even more likely to follow it.
• I’ve learned that the best training I’ve ever done is under the hardest conditions. Living in my father’s cabin in the Canadian Rockies for three months with no running water, electricity or car and a 100-kilometer bike commute to the pool was among the best training I have ever done.
• I’ve learned that I actually hate swimming . . . yet having said that I would love to know how to do it well and what it would feel like to swim under 17 minutes for 1500 meters.
• I’ve learned I love coaching.
• I’ve learned that when I string nine good weeks of training together, I am fit.
• I’ve learned that I really need to do at least 50 percent of my training on my own.
• I’ve learned I am race ready when I can blast through a 15-minute run off a hard bike workout and feel great.
• Protein powder mixed in with an energy drink makes for a bad combination on a hot day.
• I’ve learned I love this sport and that I will always be involved in it in one sense or another.
Until next time, this is the mountain main asking, “What have you learned?”
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Kelly Guest is sponsored by Giant Bicycles and Brooks. He is coached by Competitive Edge Training.