It's easy to cut deals with yourself when you train alone.
When no one is watching, you can go a little harder/easier when you feel like it and you can modify a workout based on your mood and energy.
You can skip the parts of the workout that you don't like and you can add/shorten a workout based on what you feel makes you feel the best on that given day.
Although coaches would like to assume that athletes follow training plans as written (with only necessary modifications applied based on time constraints and energy to ensure quality training), I think any athlete would agree that a group training environment (or having a coach with you when you train) forces athletes to give an effort that they wouldn't do on their own, not to mention complete the entire workout as planned.
Seeing that training alone gives an athlete a tremendous amount of freedom to mentally check-out, modify or adjust a given workout as the athlete feels fit, you may find that you are limiting your athletic capabilities when training alone.
An easy fix to this is to pretend like your/a coach is always supervising your workout.
Here are a few tips to bring to every training session.
-Show up "on time"
-Don't cut the warm-up short
-Understand the workout purpose before you start the workout
-Don't make excuses
-Don't be afraid to fail
-Give your best effort, on that day
-Only compare yourself to a past version of you (not another athlete)
-Don't stop the workout until you complete the entire workout (unless you are sick, injured or form suffers)
Far too many athletes fail to reach their full athletic potential simply because they lack the motivation and discipline needed to execute well for every given workout.
If you follow a training plan, it's important to not let yourself think that you know better than your coach and that it's ok to modify workouts based on what you feel like doing each day.
It's important to trust your coach and trust your training plan as every workout (and week of training) has a clear purpose in your individual fitness journey.
If your gut tells you that your training plan is not ideal for you, discuss with your coach before you begin to coach yourself by modifying your assigned training plan workouts. It's far too common that athletes will feel the need to do more intensity or volume thinking that the harder and longer you go, the fitter and faster you become.
Sadly, this is not always true as specific workouts are needed at specific times in training. At Trimarni coaching, we focus on getting our athletes strong before we get them fast and then they are ready to go long.
Too much volume and intensity will often lead to injuries or overtraining.
A smart and well-laid training plan ensures development and proper physical adaptations to prepare your body and mind for race day.
Always give your best effort and hold yourself accountable to the work that needs to get done to help you get your fitness and health to where you want it to be by race day.
If you are interested in a Trimarni training plan, visit our website to learn more about our Olympic, half and full Ironman 20-week training plans. Every Trimarni training plan is designed to help you develop your skills and fitness to properly prepare for race day. We can assure you that you will never get bored with our workouts and you will be able to fit your training into your life as you prepare your body for your upcoming event.
If you are in need (or love) triathlon education and are looking for a team environment (even if you train alone), consider joining our Performance Team with the purchase of your training plan. For only $50/month, you have access to our private Trimarni team Facebook page, Trimarni sponsor discounts, discount to our training camps and you receive a weekly educational "check-in" email (either as a handout or video) from Karel and myself. Every week we discuss an important topic that will help you become a smarter triathlete.
Even if you join the Performance Team now, you still receive all past handouts (since December).
Check-in topics already discussed include:
-Sport nutrition
-Daily nutrition
-Long run nutrition
-Race day execution - olympic, half and full Ironman
-Motivation
-Bike skills - ex. riding in the wind
If you are interested in a Trimarni training plan, visit our website to learn more about our Olympic, half and full Ironman 20-week training plans. Every Trimarni training plan is designed to help you develop your skills and fitness to properly prepare for race day. We can assure you that you will never get bored with our workouts and you will be able to fit your training into your life as you prepare your body for your upcoming event.
If you are in need (or love) triathlon education and are looking for a team environment (even if you train alone), consider joining our Performance Team with the purchase of your training plan. For only $50/month, you have access to our private Trimarni team Facebook page, Trimarni sponsor discounts, discount to our training camps and you receive a weekly educational "check-in" email (either as a handout or video) from Karel and myself. Every week we discuss an important topic that will help you become a smarter triathlete.
Even if you join the Performance Team now, you still receive all past handouts (since December).
Check-in topics already discussed include:
-Staying accountable to training
-Swim skills
-Planning a race-cation
-Team approach to training
-Training stress
-Training metrics
-Mobility
-Sleep
And more!