Why 2019 Is Your Year For A Triathlon

author : KevinJonesJJ

comments : 3

There is no reason why 2019 can't be your year to participate in a triathlon for the first time.

Most of us fall into the trap of saying “maybe someday, but not today,” when it comes to things like running a marathon, going skydiving, or participating in a triathlon. But there is no reason why 2019 can’t be your year to run a triathlon for the first time.

No matter if you are currently out-of-shape, your age or if you’ve never even run a 5K, if you start now, you will be able to race in a triathlon in 2019.

Triathlon Training Isn’t As Hard As You Think

Triathlons can sound more intimidating than straight running or cycling races since you have to combine swimming, cycling, and running. But, those who have trained for these kinds of events should be doing cross-training which included one or more of the events which take place in a triathlon.

Also, don’t think the first triathlon you have to train for needs to be an Ironman, covering 140.6 miles in total. That would be like saying that your first foot race had to be a 100-mile ultramarathon or it doesn’t count. Since that is clearly ridiculous, let’s look at your other 2019 triathlon distance options:

• Sprint - Covering 16 miles total, a sprint triathlon generally has a 0.5-mile (750m) swim section, 12.4-mile (20K) cycling portion, and ends with a 3.1-mile (5K) run.


• Olympic - Ranging over 51 miles total, an Olympic triathlon generally has a 0.93-mile (1.5K) swim section, 24.8-mile (40K) cycling portion, and ends with a 6.2-mile (10K) run.


• Half Ironman - Extending over 70.3 miles total, a half Ironman triathlon generally has a 1.2-mile (1.9K) swim section, 56 miles (90K) cycling portion, and ends with a 13.1 (21.09K) run.

If you aren’t an active participant in any sport and are looking to jump back into exercise, I would recommend starting your triathlon journey with training for a sprint triathlon.


Benefits Of Starting Your Training Now

Winter training is not usually what most people think of when they consider training for a new activity, but I would say it is the best time for you to start your triathlon training. Some of the most significant benefits of starting your triathlon training now are: 

• Avoid further procrastination - The same way Monday is the most popular day to start a diet, spring seems to be the idealized time to start exercising. But, by the time spring rolls around, it is far more likely you will be busier and find new reasons to procrastinate. Throw out all your excuses and just start today.


• Beat the winter blues - Research has shown that exercise is one of the best ways to alleviate the “winter blues” also called seasonal affective disorder. If you find your mood slips over the long winter months, focusing on your triathlon training can help you move past those depressed feelings. 


• Be ready for a late spring/early summer tri - By starting now, you can be ready to participate in your first sprint triathlon or even Olympic tri by late spring or early summer. That means you will have time to fit more races in over the course of 2019 if you find you fall in love with triathlons.


• Keep off winter weight gain - Overeating during the winter months is almost expected. You can beat off any weight gain by focusing on your training. Even better, you won’t be scrambling to be “swimsuit ready” in the spring because you will have improved your fitness over the winter. 


• Pick up great equipment deals - I don’t recommend cycling outside during the winter if you live in a snowy area like I do. After two close calls, I used a coupon to pick up a high-end stationary bike for my wife and me to train with and avoid collisions with swerving drivers. (Many triathletes buy an "indoor trainer" that attaches to their regular road bike or triathlon bike.) I stacked the coupon with a winter holiday sale and was able to save a pretty penny on my indoor bike. I just wish I’d found coupons for all my equipment, like my treadmill which I also use for triathlon training.

With all these benefits, it makes sense to find a race and start training now to try your first triathlon.

How To Find Your 2019 Triathlon 

There are a number of ways you can find a triathlon. Some of the things I do when looking for races are: 

• Check race-centric websites - Sites like Beginner Triathlete are a great way to find a ton of triathlons of varying lengths. You can also check with sites like Running in the USA and Active.


• Visit my local running store - I like to visit my local running store as I tend to join in with the running group at least a few times a month. While there, information on local races is usually available and I can generally pick someone’s brains about the course.


• Look at community boards - You know how grocery stores tend to have cork boards crammed full of paper? Well, some of that paper is information on local triathlon races (especially at running stores). Next time you come across a community board, whether at your gym, grocery store, or your kid’s school, take a moment to leaf through the papers.

By choosing a race and allowing it to motivate you to start your triathlon training now, you can be well on your way to successfully participating in your first tri in 2019.

Kevin Jones is a long-time writer, a marathoner, and a triathlete-in-training. He enjoys contributing to Beginner Triathlete and promoting products that have benefited him.

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date: December 29, 2018