Learn 12 Triathlon Lessons Now With No Regrets Ever
Updated: Apr 10, 2018
Racing in triathlons in front of a few thousand spectators takes guts. Your race uniform choice may be enough to regret you ever decided to race in your first triathlon. Keep going though. Your personal benefits of the sport will pay dividends for life and result in no regrets.
You’re hanging your whole body out for the public to see, faults and all. You’re covered in sweat. Most people think you’re wearing a strange outfit instead of a funky race kit or maybe just a skin tight swimsuit. You think you’re incognito with sunglasses and a hat. But underneath this disguise you’re performing halfway naked in a sporting event that you paid upwards to $1,000 out of your own pocket to race in. You put your personal reputation out for everyone to see, judge, and comment on your race efforts. Hopefully you’ll savior the positive encouragements and ignore the other content to stay in a sport that requires tough skin and a lot of guts to compete in.
Learn 12 Triathlon Lessons Now With No Regrets Ever
Be confident. If you think you can, you will. If you think you will fail, you will. What’s your choice? First triathlon, another Ironman race? Earn “AA” status? Confirmation of outcome reveals our choice. Embrace that confidence breeds confidence and courage to expand your comfort zone. Don’t get cocky. It’s a fatal flaw.
Follow your journey. Destination unknown? Decide. You control that determination. A defined journey helps you know when you lost your way. Support your significant other’s efforts this season for your KQ’er efforts next year. Hawaiian family vacation the next season? Why not? However, local races are fun but if the journey plans include other races, then continue on your adventure. You’ll never regret a racecation of a lifetime.
Talking about training does not add to your conditioning and worrying about races does not enhance your performance. Move beyond inertia with focus on defined learning objectives. Manage your time appropriately. Measure progress. Race. Then celebrate and talk. You’ll never regret you said something you wished you didn’t.
Train with people faster than you for speed. Aspire to their capabilities. Don’t let them rock your confidence. Yes you’ll hurt. All of the others will hurt too. A decade or two of deferred regrets of not trying to do your best will hurt you more than the physical pain of not being dropped when you made the earlier