Solo, small group, online or team?
By Nan Kappeler
June 5, 2008 -- Unlike the old days of triathlon, training alone or with a group of friends seemed to be the only workout options. Today, thanks to the widespread availability of the Internet and growth of the sport, there are dozens of training options available for all levels of athletes. Whether a group of people or a workout on a paper motivates you, finding a program that fits your lifestyle, personality and race goals can help you boost your performance.
Solo ProgramsAs the father of five children ranging in age from 4-to 11-years-old, Mark Duss said he doesn’t have time to be flexible. With soccer games, basketball practices and Saturday morning swim meets, the 12x Ironman must train while the kids are sleeping. Recently, his wife loaded the kids in the car and he rode 110 miles to meet in Ventura, Calif. for a soccer game. He hasn’t found many other triathletes who want to join him at 4:00 a.m. for a two hour run through his Newport Beach, Calif. neighborhood.
Best Fit: For people who are highly motivated. This program also works best for those on a tight schedule, who can’t afford to wait for a slower rider, or hang out while a flat is fixed. Your workouts can easily be changed and you can set the pace. It also works well for longer distance training. Gadgets such as power meters, heart rate monitors and music can help you keep pace.
The flip side: Training can be very lonely. Not having others to challenge you and keep up the pace can result in a slower race performance.
Partnering up/small groupsRunning in a large pack never thrilled David Miller, a former high school runner. When he decided to compete in the 2008 Ironman Lake Placid, he enlisted a friend as a training partner. Even though their ages vary – Miller is 58 and Chris Elmer is 30 – they have similar strengths and can push each other. The two have also committed to following the training plan Elmer purchased online from EndurancePlanet.com. Miller said having a training partner has helped keep him motivated.
Best Fit: For very committed individuals with similar speeds to help push each other. The key to success is having a partner or group who is just as motivated as you to complete the event successfully.
The flip side: High maintenance partners who are tardy to workouts and constantly complain can cost you valuable time, energy and patience.
Virtual coach/online training programsWith online training programs becoming more user friendly, and most everyone having access to a computer, online programs and virtual coaching have gained significant popularity. Journalist and triathlon coach Matt Fitzgerald said these options work especially well for the beginner, who may feel too intimidated to join a group, or are unaware of what to do on their own. Online programs also make a nice compromise for those who don’t want to be completely coached, yet don’t want to be a self-coach. Virtual coaches help give the self-motivated athlete guidance and structure to make workouts more efficient.
Best Fit: A good option for beginners who aren’t entirely confident to self-coach, or those who feel confident in their knowledge, but need that extra push from an expert source. Highly motivated people who may be a bit disorganized benefit from training with a virtual coach. An online program also works well for people who don’t have access to a coach or team.
The flip side: It’s easy to cheat an invisible coach by skipping a workout. Who would know if you skipped the hill repeats?
Multisport TeamsAfter 20 years of racing, former pro Pete Kain knows the longer you are in the sport, the more motivation you need. On his team, Kain Performance, hard work is combined with social gatherings. Team workouts can get intense and are geared towards the skilled triathlete training for a specific race.
For returning triathlete Julia Juliason, 43, the coaching, numerous workout options and a great social network brought her to the Orange County, Calif. multisport team. She recently qualified at the Wildflower for Age Group Nationals, crediting the team for her success.
Like many multisport teams, Kain offers members over 20 swim, bike and run workouts per week, at varying times in the Los Gatos, Calif. area. Kain sees people pushing themselves harder in a group situation. If you’re the type that doesn’t want to be last, you’ll have more motivation to work harder. With lots of people to challenge you, workouts tend to go by faster.
Best Fit: For the experienced triathlete looking to improve their performance and meet lots of people with similar interests. Benefits include a group to travel with and a cheering section at races.
The Flip Side: Multisport teams generally charge a monthly or yearly fee averaging approximately $100 a month and up, depending on what services you select. Training with a group can also be more time consuming, since group rides are forced to stick together.
Finding your ideal type of training program can help you to overcome boredom, increase your performance and give you motivation to reach your goals. With the wealth of training options available today, reaching your goals has never been easier.