Hi triathletes, we're right in the middle of the off-peak period for the sports year and it is essential to think about your return to fitness so that it can be as smooth as possible.
In this article, I'll tell you how best to start the new season!
As we all know, the Christmas season is key—not necessarily in terms of training but more in terms of motivation. However, it is during this period—when we most feel like watching the biathlon and cyclo-cross from the comfort of our sofa—that we should start our new sports season. Almost all event registrations are open and you'll have to be quick to get your race number, but you first have to set your goals. Your expectations will be mainly based on your current desires but what better time to set yourself a challenge than the New Year celebrations? Whether it's a bet with your friends or an impossible dream, now is the time to commit! Your future training plans will depend on these decisions.
Your return to training has to be consistent with your objectives and your current state of fitness.
After the holidays, you will probably feel a decrease in energy due to the large, heavy meals. Winter temperatures don't help to get back in the swing of things. So respect your body and give it back a taste for physical exertion bit by bit. Starting too strong after a break often leads to injury, while a few swimming sessions will work wonders for getting things going again. If conditions allow, two basic endurance running sessions a week will help your body to regain some sensations.
In terms of cycling, home trainers can be a good way to raise your heart rate and get back into pedalling, while watching a biathlon race or replay of a Superleague Triathlon event for motivation, perhaps?
You may also want to leave your GPS watch at home, even if was a Christmas present and you're dying to use it. Indeed, start-of-season performance is rarely what we want it to be, so no need to sap your morale because you are running 10 seconds slower by mile. Plenty of time to use it when it comes to the technical preparatory sessions, you know the ones where you have the taste of blood in your mouth and you curse those cooked breakfasts?
I also recommend using this period to bring good habits back into your daily routine, such as a few stretching or yoga sessions which, coupled with good recovery exercises after your sessions will keep injuries away for the whole season (see Decathlon Coach ).
Make sure you adapt your equipment for outdoor sessions. Kalenji and Van Rysel have developed products suited to harsh winter conditions to protect you from bad weather and reduce the impact of the cold on your muscle fibres.
That's it! You now have everything you need to prepare your new objectives in the best way, so enjoy those wholesome winter meals to boost morale, set your goals and return to training at your own pace for a long and injury-free season!
See you soon for more Triathlon tips :)
Having always been a sports enthusiast, I practised watersports like competitive swimming and sailing for 15 years. I am a sales assistant at the Scionzier Decathlon store in Haute Savoie.
Now as an amateur triathlete, I can combine my love of watersports with my desire to push myself to the limit. I am more comfortable with long distance, so my goals for the 2020 season will be the Chtriman event in Gravelines, the Mont-Blanc Man in Passy and the Ironman 70.3 in Marrakech.