It all depends on the distance of the race and when it is. One essential element of any successful triathlete is to dedicate the time necessary to properly train for a race. Regardless of your experience or fitness level, it's important to start training long before your first race of the season. This can mean the difference between feeling good and finishing strong, struggling to get over that finish line or a DNF (did not finish).
We share in our blog “When Should I Start Training for a Triathlon” when we suggest you start training for your triathlon. Check it out.
Once you figure out when to start your training the next step is to decide whether you are going to do it alone (self-coached), with a coach or with a club (group coaching).
Here are some things to think about when trying to decide what is a good fit for you.
Self Coached - this is a great option if…
You have a busy work/life schedule which will make it difficult for you to make it out to group practices
You are self-disciplined
You have some experience in triathlon
You have a good training plan that you can follow
Private Coaching - this is a great option if…
You have a busy work/life schedule
You have no experience in triathlon
You are doing a Half Ironman or Ironman race
You have had injuries in the past
You are looking for an individualized program geared toward you
You are looking for accountability
Group Coaching - this is a great option if...
You have a flexible schedule that allows to make it out to practices
You need to improve your technique in swim, bike or run
You want tips on how to execute a triathlon
You are motivated by others and appreciate having training partners
You are self-coached or private-coached but like training with others
You are looking for accountability
If you have decided that group coaching is for you, how do you choose a club when there are so many good clubs in Ottawa? The most obvious and probably the most important thing to consider is whether the class schedule and times work for you. The second most important thing to consider is whether the club has members who have been or are currently at your level. We are pleased and proud to say that our club caters to all athletes regardless of where they are in their triathlon journey.
Just to mention a few of our successes, we have coached athletes who have a fear of the water or can not swim to participating in a Half Ironman and athletes that were middle of the pack finishers to Kona qualifiers. Here is a highlight reel of the Ironman Mont Tremblant 2019 weekend where we had members participating in the 5150 and Half Ironman triathlons. Have a look at how diverse our club is, and how we think you will fit in just fine, in our tribe.
Our fall/winter program is about to begin. Programs start Monday, September 30th. You can find the schedule here and the full details and prices here. Are you ready to start your triathlon journey for 2020?
Julia Aimers is the Head Coach and Founder ofTeam Triumph Triathlon Club established in the year 2000, in Ottawa, Canada. She has coached beginner triathletes to Kona qualifying athletes. Team Triumph is a Multisport and Social club dedicated to challenging your sense of adventure
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso
Julia is incredible, I once had a coach who told me to get good at biking and running as he couldn't do anything with my swim technique. Then I was introduced to Julia who is so patient and has an amazing ability to translate it all into a way I could understand. I knocked a minute per 100m off my open water swim times after only a handful of sessions with her. The team is also really welcoming, inclusive and most of all FUN!
Triumph is a warm and fun place for every level of triathlete. Whether you’re just getting started and learning all about triathlon or have been at it for decades, like some of us, you will find camaraderie and expertise in this group with Julia Aimers’ support and caring. She keeps up-to-date in so many areas of training, especially for women and including women’s issues whether it be nutrition or menopause. I highly recommend Team Triumph for swimming, biking, running or putting it all together in one package. There is no other place or group, I would rather be training with. So many of my close friends were met in this group.
