TOP 10 LESSONS LEARNED - FROM THE MUSSELMAN TRIATHLON 2017
A couple of weeks ago a group of 15 Team Triumphers went to the Musselman Triathlon in Geneva, New York. After the race, we had a debrief on our successes, challenges and lessons learned. Here is the list of our lessons learned. Feel free to share it with your fellow triathletes!
1) Always ride your bike before your race. If your gears got messed up in transportation, that's a long 90km with messed up gears!
2) When it's HOT outside, take a dip in the lake then keep your core temperature down by waiting to put on your wetsuit, keeping it up only half way and then only put your swim cap on just before you go in.
3) Learn how to change a flat with a CO2 cartridge and be familiar with your pump.
4) Always confirm the distances of the race so you can pace yourself accordingly.
5) Work on speedy transitions, it can make the difference of getting on the podium.
6) Practice your nutrition in training and don't try a new product from an aid station.
7) To train for your 1st Half Ironman, you need at least 6 months.
8) DO your long bricks in training before the race. They prepare you physically and mentally for the real thing.
9) If it's a flat course, be sure to put on aerobars, they save loads of time.
10) When things go wrong stay positive, keep smiling and don't quit unless you're in pain....no matter what.
I have added number 11 having just found out some really happy news......!
11) Learn CPR and recert every year. You might just save a life during the race!
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
