Trimarni Coaching and Nutrition

  Although we have a tremendous amount of research on sport nutrition strategies to optimize performance in runners, there's very little research on long distance triathlon.  It's impossible to isolate one variable in a triathlon-focused experiment. For example, with so many different environmental, physical, mental, terrain, pacing, fitness and physiological factors contributing to performance in a 70.3 or 140.6 mile event, it's impossible for research to create specific sport nutrition guidelines for swimming, biking and running when there are so many unpredictable and uncontrollable variables. We must recognize that running off the bike for 13 or 26 miles in a half or full distance triathlon (respectively) is very different than running a stand alone half marathon or marathon. For example, a stand alone endurance runner will start the race is cool or cold conditions, first thing in the morning with a body that is glycogen loaded and well-hydrated. Marathon races are oft...

Over the past 14 years as a triathlete, my body has experienced a wide variety of run workouts. Without getting into too much detail, I've learned that some workouts build confidence, some workouts don't carry over to performance improvements, some workouts increase the risk for injury and other workouts are really beneficial to the demands of triathlon. Becoming a better at running off the bike is much more than training for speed or distance or accumulating weekly running miles. Proper run training means you must think like a triathlete and not like a runner.  If you think about the sport of triathlon - specifically any distance at and above the Olympic distance - the sport is all about resisting fatigue. Speed is relative to the distance.  One of the most important physiological components of successful triathlon racing is resiliency. The stronger and more efficient you are, the easier it is to resist fatigue. Training to improve your 5K or half marathon t...

Running is the most convenient sport of triathlon - you can do it anywhere, anytime.  Running is the most cost effective sport of triathlon. Running is the sport where you will likely experience a big endorphin-rush. Running is a way to relieve stress. Running is a way to get outside. Running is familiar to most triathletes - either from road racing (ex. 5K, half marathon, marathon) or running for fitness. Running is a way to change the body composition. Running is the sport where most triathletes feel there is much room for improvement. Running is the sport where most triathletes experience GI distress. Running is the sport that is most remembered at the end of a triathlon. Most triathlon performances are defined by the run portion. Most triathletes feel they need to run harder or longer to run better off the bike.  Many triathletes feel that if they lost weight, they'd be a better runner. Running has the greatest risk for injury. Based on the ab...