Triathlon training in New England is not for the faint of heart. Based on the “spring” we’ve had so far, we are left wondering if we’ll EVER get outside to do some open water swims! While open water swimming is imperative to swimming confidently and strong in a triathlon, indoor swimming provides lots of benefits to prepare you for open water swims. Read on to learn how to make the most of your pool swims and you’ll be ready for a successful race season when warmer weather FINALLY arrives.

Heat training relates to the techniques directed to improve performance in warm climates, while heat acclimation is the process by which an athlete becomes accustomed to increased heat over a 4 to 14-day period. Putting these two things together, and you get acclimatization. Acclimatization, is the entire spectrum of heat training, including the initial acclimation period through the time frame, leading to race day.

Caffeine can be a great tool for athletes of all abilities used to enhance performance. However, when abused (or not used as a tool), it can be a detriment to your training and racing.

A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to coach 116 athletes at the Austin half marathon. For these athletes their why is a concrete one. To find a cure for an illness they are all in one way or another impacted by. I had the honor and privilege to speak as the charities inspirational speaker the night before the race where I talked about the importance of having a why. Having an intention for our training and racing can mentally be that extra 1% that pushes us just a little harder. Our whys can change race to race and its important to go back to them on a regular basis.

“What’s your A race?” This is a pretty common question among triathletes heading into a new season. For many of us, we have just one race a season that is most important to us. For others it might be two. You may want to be able to treat every race in a season as the most important race, but the fact of the matter is that for most triathletes, it’s simply not possible to truly peak more than once or twice a year.

February is National Heart Month so when better to think about heart rate training! This Q will help you learn more about HOW to utilize heart rate in your training. Below, I have responded to the most commonly asked questions.

One of the most significant life changing moments for me was when I became a Mom. The added responsibility of taking care of another human being has been extremely overwhelming, and the sacrifices along the way have been endless. The days of just worrying about myself have come and gone. Today it is all about balance and finding that happy medium, which does exist…if you let it.

When I first entered the world of triathlon almost two decades ago, I followed the path of so many - I dove in head first, not knowing what I was taking on. My first race was an Olympic Distance, followed quickly by a Half Ironman Distance, and then by an Ironman distance. Although an athlete growing up, more than 10 years had passed since my high school glory days, and to say that I lived a sedentary lifestyle was an under-estimation. I was an attorney in New York City and all what I did was work. But as I approached 30, I became tired of being stressed and unfit, so in January of 2000 I hopped on the treadmill and did a two mile run. It nearly killed me.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes, their abilities ranging from beginner triathletes participating in their first event to experienced, elite age group athletes. Regardless of their experience or ability level, the common thread for all is their pursuit of a personal goal. Being integral to helping athletes achieve their personal athletic successes is highly rewarding. What makes it such a positive challenge is the fact that every athlete is different. Each athlete has different means and availability for training, differing levels of motivation, and individual attributes that make them respond to training stimulus differently. What is consistent, however, are a number of factors I believe will result in individual success. Outlined below are what I consider these top eleven factors to be. Why eleven? Because we know that #11 always misses out on the top 10 list.

Being in sport, especially triathlon, requires much from the body. We do what we can to recover well, rest, prehab before we rehab, foam roll, stretch; but sometimes, injury creeps up, and BAAM, the season has been diverted or finished before due time. Our grandeur thoughts and visualizations of an epic race season do not come to culmination, and will most likely NOT happen. It will happen to anyone in sport. I guarantee it. A setback or injury will sideline us from either a short term, or the long-term goal.