Should You Focus On One Triathlon Distance? | Coach's Corner

Do you ever wonder how to avoid chafing after the swim? Or maybe you are starting an interval at a pace which you cant hold until the end of said interval? Perhaps you want to know how you can improve on your transition time? Mark and James are here to answer all your Triathlon-related questions on this week's #gtncoachescorner.
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[gtn]

Do you focus on one specific Triathlon distance?

[livinginsyn]

If you're not there to compete for a result, you can go and enjoy the race and motivate the people struggling and be a motivator. Some people have done that for me in the past and they're literal saints

[devo]

Mixing up the type of events is a great idea. I’ve taken to the running trails, and planning on some bike events too. They are all fun and add to my TRI skills.

[WILDFOXRUNNING]

Thank you guys for answering my question. Didn’t know about this Critical Swim speed test. Will try it out. Thanks a lot and happy holidays 🙏🏻

[bonzainutter]

We want to say 'Thank you' for saying that racing for a time is not necessarily what triathlon is about. At my brothers Ironman, they had a speaker that said he had gone around the world racing time, and realized he should have been focusing on fun, and he told all there to race for fun, not time. I don't think this can be said enough.

[robertphilip]

When you are an amateur like me, you focus on all distances 😁

[radrunning]

Great informative video, thanks. 🏃‍♂🏃‍♂

[aamirnagaria]

#GTNCOACHESCORNER 1. it’s a common observation that short course athletes usually perform equally well in the long course but rarely the other way around. Why is it so?
2. Assuming that its mostly the interval sessions that makes a huge difference in short and long course performance, can one do long training sessions (like Ironman training) and short super hard intervals (like olympic distance) and excel in both distances like blummenfelt/Iden?
3. How do the above mentioned athletes plan their year to specialize for both olympic distance and Ironman?

[niklasp.]

#GTNCoachesCorner
I’m going to start in September on my very first Triathlon (Olympic distance). Is there any advice on which focuses and in which order I should have in my training blocks? And how long should theses blocks be? Thanks for answering and keep going with your amazing content!

[filipmauks]

Hi GTN, I am starting to focus on longer course racing whether it is running/XC marathon. Still a complete beginner trying to transition to triathlon - recently working on my swimming. With longer distances I still can not figure out my nutrition. I have a generous meal before session. I have tried all sorts of gels and chews which can give me enough energy during workout but about 20km mark on the run or about 40-50km mark on the bike I struggle with feeling of empty stomach which eventually slows me down. And also the sooner I start refueling with gels and snacks the sooner my digestion kick in and I need some solid food. Is it just something to get used to? Thank you. Filip #gtncoachescorner

[ryanlopez]

Trisuit issue question. My build seems off for a triathlete and having fitting issues. I am 6’1” 205lbs at 8% bodyfat. My cycling bibs are size medium and my jerseys are size XL. If I wear an XL trisuit the chamois is in a rather uncomfortable place and a size medium trisuit doesn’t fit over my shoulders and chest. There such a thing as a multiple size trisuit? I have tried two pieces but they just bunch up on me and are not comfortable. Almost thinking I just wear my normal cycling gear the whole way thru.

[Leamare]

#gtncoachescorner Hello guys, I started triathlon about 9 months ago after being teased by a good ironman friend. Completed my first sprint distance and am on course to first Olympic distance by May next year. Which then, I'll be moving my training to 70.3. Question: is there a minimum (if any) health check recommended before trying a longer distance (or any distance) race? I'm 41yers old and sometimes think that I might be pushing too hard without knowing. Love your work!

[lgmsampaio]

Guys, the slightly tilted question box is driving me insane. Could it be horizontally aligned for the sake of my OCD? Thanks!

[tylerwarner]

On the bike, is it better to pedal quickly on a low gear, or slowly on a high one? Everyone seemed to be pedaling slower than me at my first Sprint, but I was getting passed easily. Switched it up and that helped but had trouble maintaining it.

[stefjanssen]

Dont care about distance, not doing the ironman (yet) for the rest mix it up and have fun. Frustration on times can always be there If you want as there is always someone faster

[lexington]

5:39 and when you're doing this in the neighborhood the neighbors might look at you weird, more weird than usual that is, or least so I've heard, I've never done this myself of course (cough)... yeah a friend told me 😀😃🤘.

[LionelMessi-dndn]

#gtncoachescorner Does riding on an indoor roller trainer help improve bike handling skills / body position? I used to ride mostly with a static trainer (e.g. turbo, magnetic, etc) and I find that I'm not cycling as fast and smooth as I hope when I cycle outdoor on the real road. I know the best way is simply cycle outdoor more often, but given my tight schedule, is roller any good?

[nightsfalling]

Some of my races where transferred from last year to this year which left me with close races on the same year. How to best recover between races? I am doing 2 full IM distance with 2 months apart.

[padmaparag]

#gtncoachescorner Hello Coach, i attempted middle distance triathlon in 2019 and attempting full distance in 2022, not sure if that is a wise decision or not, but want to take bet. Can you guide me to decide if that decision is right or wrong? what factors usually we consider while deciding on race distance that we are suppose to choose? how many hours of training is required for full distance tri?

[catayanezb]

Asthma-related question: I know it might be too specific a question for you to give a real answer, but maybe you’ve met someone with experience with this. I’m an aspiring triathlete (signed up for my first sprint triathlons next year!) and am wondering how other people with asthma do multisport. Can I check my inhalers in with my bike and gear? Do I need special permission or anything? When should I take a puff for best results but so I’m not overdoing it? Any asthma related answers help! #gtncoachescorner