TOP FIVE TIPS: TRIATHLON - with award-winning coach Rich Emmett
Long-time friend of VALA and award-winning triathlon coach Richard Emmett aka @emmporiatriathlon has put together his top coaching advice for those of you that might be thinking of getting into triathlon training.
As well as representing GB at the World Championships in Australia, Rich is also a fantastic coach and the founder of Virtual Athlete virtual training. Read his top five tips below:
CONSISTENCY
Improving in performance is all about your body adapting to the various challenges you give it. In order to keep adapting and improving, keep up with your training. There’s no need to overtrain, but regular manageable sessions pay far more dividends than the occasional monster session.
REAL REST
When you’re not training, you should be resting. Yes, the sun may show it’s face and you’re tempted to get out every single day of the week, but your body might not thank you for it. Take time to rest so that the quality of the training you’re meant to do is maximised.
SLEEP
Everyone’s busy... But our bodies weren’t designed to manage some of the extra stress we place on them. If you’re not sleeping enough (8hrs) not only will your performance suffer in training, but you run the even bigger risk of becoming injured or ill. Sleep is important, trust me!
VARY YOUR TRAINING
Ok, so you’ve entered your first triathlon and you’ll need to go as fast as you can for - what - 90 minutes? But there’s a lot more to training than just heading out to nail yourself over and over again. Break it down... try shorter/faster sessions or maybe some longer/slower sessions. Don’t get stuck in the same gear in training, otherwise on race day you’ll find yourself in that same gear.
ENJOY YOURSELF
Don’t lose focus over what’s important. If you’re not enjoying something, then why do it at all? Challenge yourself with realistic goals that allow you to enjoy the process of improving. That’s the only way you’ll be able to have a happy and sustainable relationship with triathlon. Enjoy your training, let the results come with time.
As well as representing GB at the World Championships in Australia, Rich is also a fantastic coach and the founder of Virtual Athlete virtual training. Read his top five tips below:
CONSISTENCY
Improving in performance is all about your body adapting to the various challenges you give it. In order to keep adapting and improving, keep up with your training. There’s no need to overtrain, but regular manageable sessions pay far more dividends than the occasional monster session.
REAL REST
When you’re not training, you should be resting. Yes, the sun may show it’s face and you’re tempted to get out every single day of the week, but your body might not thank you for it. Take time to rest so that the quality of the training you’re meant to do is maximised.
SLEEP
Everyone’s busy... But our bodies weren’t designed to manage some of the extra stress we place on them. If you’re not sleeping enough (8hrs) not only will your performance suffer in training, but you run the even bigger risk of becoming injured or ill. Sleep is important, trust me!
VARY YOUR TRAINING
Ok, so you’ve entered your first triathlon and you’ll need to go as fast as you can for - what - 90 minutes? But there’s a lot more to training than just heading out to nail yourself over and over again. Break it down... try shorter/faster sessions or maybe some longer/slower sessions. Don’t get stuck in the same gear in training, otherwise on race day you’ll find yourself in that same gear.
ENJOY YOURSELF
Don’t lose focus over what’s important. If you’re not enjoying something, then why do it at all? Challenge yourself with realistic goals that allow you to enjoy the process of improving. That’s the only way you’ll be able to have a happy and sustainable relationship with triathlon. Enjoy your training, let the results come with time.