The Triathlete Blueprint Newsletter #104-If I Were to Start Triathlon Today: Mistakes I Wouldn’t Repeat

Read time: 4min.

By Coach Yan Busset

What I’d Do Differently If I Started Triathlon Today

I remember my first triathlon clearly. I was full of excitement, full of energy, and full of false confidence. I trained hard, but not smart. I had gear, but not the right kind. I thought I could wing it through the details, and I paid the price. I stopped counting after 250 triathlons. And now, with 30 years of perspective and after coaching hundreds of athletes, I see the same classic mistakes being made again and again. So, here’s a list of the biggest errors I made, so you don’t have to. I’ve made many more, of course, but these are the first ones that come to mind.

Too much intensity, not enough easy volume.

Back then, I was always going too fast. Speed came naturally to me, and I could get away with it. I was young, not working, living at my parents’ place, and life was simple. But looking back, I would have benefited hugely from focusing more on low-intensity volume and building my aerobic base properly. You need both: a strong aerobic foundation and speed. For me, speed came easier, but to become a well-rounded athlete, both are essential.

Ignoring transitions.

I underestimated the importance of transitions. I remember thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal to put on a top after the swim in T1. Big mistake. I spent what felt like an eternity wrestling with a wet, sticky shirt. If I’d known better, I would’ve bought a trisuit right away. It makes transitions smoother and avoids unnecessary stress.

Copying pro bike positions.

I tried to mimic the pros, super aggressive, low positions. But I ended up compromising comfort and my back didn’t like it at all. The most aero position is not the most extreme one. It’s the one you can actually hold for the entire race. A good fit balances aero gains with comfort and stability. Without that, you’re just suffering for no real gain.

Skipping brick workouts.

I didn’t include runs off the bike in my training. I figured I’d just deal with it on race day. But I paid for that mistake with cramps and heavy legs during the run. Brick sessions are a must to get your legs used to the transition and avoid surprises on race day. After that, they become less essential once your body is used to the feeling.

No socks on the run.

I thought I’d save time by skipping socks for the run. It backfired. I got blisters that took me out of training for days. Taking a few extra seconds in T2 to put on socks is well worth it, especially if you want to keep running the week after the race.

Wrong tire setup.

At the time, the trend was narrow tires and high pressure. I followed it blindly. But the ride was harsh and uncomfortable. Today, I’d go for 28 to 32 mm tires with lower pressure. It adds comfort and control without hurting performance. In fact, in many cases, it improves it.

Flappy clothing on the bike.

Back then, I didn’t realize how much drag poor clothing could cause. A loose jersey or windbreaker can act like a parachute. After your position, clothing is the second most important factor for aerodynamics. A tight-fitting trisuit or jersey can save, not seconds but minutes, over the bike course.

Not knowing the course.

I showed up on race day without really knowing the course. That cost me time and added unnecessary stress. Better orientation during the swim, smoother transitions, safer cornering, and smarter pacing all come from knowing what’s ahead. Always do a recon or at least study the course in detail.

No coach.

This one is big. All of these mistakes could have been avoided if I had a coach from the beginning. But I was young and stubborn, convinced I could figure it out on my own. As the saying goes, if youth knew, if age could. A coach brings structure, experience, and a perspective that saves you time, energy, and frustration.

It’s completely normal to make rookie mistakes. I’ve made plenty myself, and that’s how I learned. But if I can help you avoid the big ones , the ones that could compromise your race or take away from your enjoyment or competitiveness , then it’s worth sharing. Nothing will ever be perfect, and that’s okay. It takes years to refine all the small details, and that’s part of the game.

Don’t let this article make you think everything has to be perfect before you start doing triathlons. Just get started. Do your research, get some guidance if you can, but the most important thing is to try. It will be hard, especially the first time, and that’s exactly why we do it. Because it’s a challenge. And once you cross that finish line, your first thought will be that you want to do it again, just to do it better. That’s what happened to me over thirty years ago, and that passion for the sport has never left me.

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