Love it or loathe it, the topic of planning is central to all sports, none more so than multi discipline endurance sports. Helping to focus time, effort and energy, great plans can produce the best results on race day. In this blog Coach Denise looks at the topic of planning, why it helps within the sport of triathlon and how a coach can help you to help yourself.
It sometimes feels like planning in triathlon takes as much time as training, and certainly as racing. Between planning which races to enter, the training plan and nutrition planning, along with food preparation and advance planning for busy weeks it can seem like an endless cycle.
Depending on your personal perspective this can be wonderful or dreadful. Whether you’re a meticulous planner or prefer a more flexible approach, Tri Training Harder are here to help you achieve your goals.
For the spreadsheet aficionados, nothing beats a well-structured training plan. Colour-coded calendars, training targets, and hitting milestones bring joy and motivation. Remember, though, a great plan starts with understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and available time.
If life throws you a curveball, having a coach or mentor to help you recalibrate can make all the difference.
If structure feels like a straightjacket, planning can still work for you. A flexible plan tailored to your approach ensures you make the most of your training while keeping the fun alive. Coaches can provide just enough structure to keep you on track while letting your personality shine through.
The Castle Race Series offers a variety of distances and events, from sprints to full iron-distance races, so you can choose what works for you.
Whatever your preference it has to be said that at least some degree of planning is required for the execution of a great race. Getting to the venue on time with all the required kit needs some level of planning, especially if the race is abroad.
As kit gets more sophisticated, more preparation is required. There’s nothing worse than getting to the start of a race only to discover the Di2 battery needs charging or the tubeless tyres should have been serviced last month.
Part of becoming the best athlete you can be, is also about fuelling the body in the best way possible. Thinking about the fuel your body needs will help to get the most out of every session.
A meal plan can be a great way to make sure you are eating what you need, when you need, and not what you don’t need. In a busy lifestyle advance meal preparation, batch cooking and having a range of easy-to-prepare recipes available can be a godsend
In all of these aspects a coach can be a fantastic support. A coach is not just there to write a training plan and check off the boxes as you execute it. A great coach will get to know you, as an athlete, and understand what makes you tick. Are you someone who loves to plan out every week and have a detailed meal plan which is perfectly executed. Or do you prefer to go with the flow a bit more and adjust sessions and nutrition as you feel.
If the former than the coach can be a fantastic sounding board for your own thoughts and plans and input on different approaches or ways to think about things. If the latter, then having a coach can encourage structure and ensure that a free-flowing approach still delivers what you need.
From iconic triathlon venues to the perfect mix of challenges, the Castle Race Series offers something for every athlete. Start planning your journey now—because great races begin with great preparation.
Ready to take the next step? Explore events and register at Castle Race Series.
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