If you are like most triathletes who have completed a half-ironman or ironman triathlon, you've put in the hard work, and reaped the rewards of self-achievement, superior physical fitness, and the highs (and lows) that competition can bring out. But long distance triathlon does have its limitations; for example, it requires a good amount of time, equipment, and support to train in all three sports. Training over the winter and spring also has its challenges, and lastly, if triathlon is the only sport on your calendar, you may eventually succumb to a case of "burnout."
One way to avoid triathlon burnout is, of course, to take a break, or at least modify your multi-sport training to include a new type of endurance challenge. This summer, I tried my hand at something new, by entering a two-person team event, the "Transrockies Run", a 120 mile, 6-day stage race from Buena Vista to Beaver Creek, Colorado. I had never done a trail marathon before, but with some special preparation and modifications to my "normal" triathlon training, my endurance base helped see me through. Here are some tips I picked up on my journey that you might find useful if you choose to enter a trail marathon or ultra-marathon in 2014:
As a triathlete, you probably have a good aerobic endurance base. Assuming you have the fitness to finish a half-iron distance triathlon, your cardiovascular system is ready for a trail marathon or 50k race. However, most trail runs are "vertically challenging", perhaps at high altitude, and, of course, often over very rough terrain. These factors will call for modifications to your typical marathon running training schedule and race plan, and may include:
A great resource for trail running, and especially ultra events, is the website http://www.IRunFar.com. It has a wealth of information, including articles, interviews, videos, product reviews, trail guides, and external.
Trail running can be a wonderful adjunct (or healthy break) to a triathlete's training schedule, and new trail races are popping up all over the country. Conquering a grueling mountain pass and then madly running down the other side in the high Colorado Rockies can be nearly as (or perhaps more) thrilling as the sprint down the finish chute of your next triathlon. See you out on the trails!
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Lifetime Endurance - http://www.lifetimeendurance.com/public/456.cfm
Lead Endurance Coach and Personal Trainer @ South Jordan LTF
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