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By Coach Yan Busset
Ever heard those magical promises? "Be ready for your triathlon in four weeks!" If a coach tells you this, run the other way. The reality of triathlon is that there are no secrets. None at all. It takes time, consistency, and more time. So, if you're looking for a magic shortcut, sorry to burst your bubble: there isn't one. Building serious fitness takes months, even years.
Trust the Process: Follow the Coach’s Guidance Failed your first attempt? Try doing what your coach told you to do the first time. It wasn't just for fun. The key is to trust the process. Not that the coach is always right, far from that, and both ways feedback is crucial. But if you don’t listen to your coach’s advice, do your own stuff, and still complain, just look at yourself in the mirror. Communication is crucial. A good dialogue with your coach can prevent a lot of frustration.
Real Training for Real People: You're Not a Pro The net is full of "a week in a pro's life" and all kinds of pro training methods. Sure, we can learn a lot from the best. But let’s be honest: you can't train like a pro and expect the same results. Why? Because you're not a pro. You have a family, a job, responsibilities. Pros have mutant genes and can rest a lot more. So, stop trying to copy their routines. Train like a human, not like a robot.
Beware of Trends: Trust Your Coach Everything is online these days. You could drown in an ocean of nutritional advice, training tips, and more. But before you become your own guinea pig, remember that your coach is there for this. Their role is to filter information, to separate the valuable from the useless. Trust their judgment and steer clear of the wacky trends.
The Art of Slowing Down: Less Speed, More Gains "But I can go faster!" Yes, you probably can, but should you? No. Sometimes, going slow is key. Zone 2 training isn't there to annoy you but to develop crucial physiological skills. Believe it or not, slowing down will help you go faster later when needed. So, breathe and enjoy the ride.
Realistic Goals: Not Everyone Can Be a World Champion It’s time to talk about your goals. Not everyone can be a world champion. And that’s perfectly okay. The most important is that regardless your level, you built a better version of yourself. Adapt your goals to your potential. Discuss them with your coach and set realistic targets. It’s much more enjoyable to race with an achievable goal than to live in constant frustration.
Focus on Priorities: Stop Obsessing Over Details You know the type: the one who fixates on every gadget, who wonders if his threshold is 185 or 184.5 watts. Don’t get me wrong, I love the tech side, and that is one of the super cool things in triathlon. But what about the basics? Sleeping four hours a night, eating junk every day, and then wondering why performance is lacking. Sometimes, the answer is right in front of you. Focus on the basics before diving into the details.
Conclusion: Finding Balance Remember that your coach is there to be a cheerleader but first to tell you the naked truth. If they don't, who will? Trust and accept positive criticism from both sides to move forward and thrive. The goal is to find balance. Triathlon is a wonderful sport, the perfect endless game. We do it because it's not easy, because it's a challenge. If triathlon feels too hard, maybe it’s not the right sport for you. But for those who love endless challenges and stepping out of their comfort zones, there’s nothing better.
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