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 at least 16 weeks 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 can create 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 your schedule You are looking for accountability Group Coaching - this is a great option if... You have a flexible schedule that allows you to make it out to practices You need to improve your technique in swim, biking, 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 Canada? A quick peruse of the club website will give you insight into whether the club and coaches are a good fit. The most obvious and probably the most important thing to consider is whether the class schedule and times work for you. If you are social, check to make sure that the club has social events and meet-ups. You will also want to know that the coaches have experience coaching triathlon. If you are hiring a personal coach make sure they are certified in triathlon and even better be sure they are educated in exercise physiology. Triathlon involves 3 sports, strength training plus nutrition. It's important that the coach can either address all of these pieces or have another coach who specializes in them. Finally, it is important to consider whether the club has members who have been or are currently at your level. Are you ready to start your triathlon journey for 2023? If you are looking for a club, Team Triumph is 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 athletes that have participated in a Half Ironman, and athletes that were middle-of-the-pack finishers to Kona World Championship qualifiers. Julia Aimers Certified Triathlon, Cycling, Yoga and Swimming CoachIt’s official you have signed up for a triathlon BUT now what?
The race may be months away, so when should you start training for it?
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.
CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist
CSEP High-Performance Specialist
USA Cycling Level 2 Coach
Training Peaks Accredited Coach
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
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.
A huge thank you to my Triathlon coach, Julia Cooper-Aimers. She took the time last week to drop off (from a distance because of COVID19 restrictions) some tri shorts I ordered along with a well-appreciated note to remind me that there will be ups and downs and that things will get better. She has gone above and beyond to support all of her athletes and our Team Triumph club, by providing almost daily strength, yoga, and spinning videos that have been uploaded to Youtube for anyone who needs a little motivation during these challenging times as well as many words of encouragement. I am grateful for her support and encouragement. ❤️
Anita Lacelle Taylor
Training with Team Triumph for 7 months (so far) made me faster and stronger while building nourishing connections with like-minded fitness nuts and shattering the expectations I had of myself. TT is a crew of inspiring people pursuing epic individual goals and encouraging each other along the way. Julia and her team have expert knowledge and provide a thoughtful evidence-based group program that works. I am privileged and thankful to have Team Triumph in my neighborhood and can't wait to get back to the pool!
Alex Bourne
I want to thank you for always putting our well-being at the forefront of your business model. You suspended face-to-face programs in a timely manner, leading the way in a fitness business world that took much too long to respond and put their members’ health and the community at risk. You « triumphed « in quickly acting to flatten the curve.
Your caring nature resulted in a series of innovative and fun virtual sessions and opened them to the community. I am missing the live interaction now that I am working for a few months but I appreciate that I can access the videos according to my schedule. Yin/yang session tonight, just what I needed.
Not to mention the check-ins, the home deliveries, the charitable events. Priceless.
Simone Rose-Oliver
