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Showing posts from September, 2026

Ironman Triathlon Coaching: What It Is, Who Needs It, and How to Choose

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  Ironman Triathlon Coaching Crossing an Ironman finish line takes months of consistent work. It also takes smart decisions about when to push and when to rest. That is where ironman triathlon coaching helps. This guide answers the most common questions about working with a coach, building a plan, and getting to the start line ready. What Is Ironman Triathlon Coaching? Ironman triathlon coaching is personalized guidance for the swim, bike, and run demands of a long-course race. A coach designs your workouts, tracks your progress, and adjusts the plan as life happens. A full Ironman covers a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run. An Ironman 70.3 covers half of each distance. Both require careful pacing, fueling, and recovery. A coach ties it all together instead of leaving you to guess. Good coaching usually includes: A structured plan built around your race date and schedule Regular feedback on your workouts and how you feel Skill work on swim technique, bike han...

Triathlon Swimming Tips for Beginners - Open Water Guide

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  Build Confidence With Better Swim Training Starting a triathlon can be exciting, but open-water swimming may feel challenging for beginners. A good triathlon open-water swim requires more than basic swimming ability. You need to develop efficient technique, controlled breathing, endurance, and confidence in changing water conditions. Begin your triathlon swim training with regular pool sessions focused on freestyle technique. Practice body position, relaxed breathing, steady kicking, and smooth arm movements. Gradually increase your swimming distance as your fitness improves. Include drills that help you become more efficient instead of simply swimming harder. Before race day, practice in open water when conditions are safe and supervised. Learn how to sight without lifting your head too high, maintain direction, and stay relaxed around other swimmers. If you plan to wear a wetsuit, complete several training sessions in it before your event. Prepare for Race Day Practice starti...

Triathlon Open Water Swimming Tips: How to Build Speed with Skill and Strategy

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  Triathlon Open Water Swimming Tips Triathlon Open Water Swimming is the great equalizer in triathlon. You can arrive race-ready with a full Ironman training plan under your belt and still lose minutes — or your composure — in the first ten minutes of the swim if you haven't practiced the skills that make open water different from the pool. Speed in open water isn't just about fitness. It's about drafting, sighting, navigating turns, managing starts and exits, and adapting to current. Master those, and you swim faster with less effort. What You'll Learn This guide breaks down the five skills that separate confident open water swimmers from those who survive the swim leg: drafting, sighting, buoy turns, starts/exits, and current adjustments — plus how to train them intentionally, not accidentally.  How Do You Draft Effectively in Triathlon Open Water Swimming Tips Open Water Triathlon Swimming? Drafting in open water works the same way it does in cycling: tuck in close...

What Should I Know Before Getting Started With Open Water Swimming?

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So, you're ready to trade the pool for open water? That's exciting! But before you dive in, let's cover a few things that will make your first experience much smoother. First and foremost, open water feels completely different from pool swimming. There are no lane lines to guide you, no walls to push off, and honestly, you can't always see the bottom. Because of this, many beginners feel a little nervous at first, and that's completely normal. Open water swimming lessons To ease that nervousness, consider signing up for open water swimming lessons before your first big swim. These lessons teach you essential skills like sighting, which basically means lifting your head briefly to check your direction since there's no black line to follow. Additionally, you'll learn how to stay calm if the water gets choppy or if another swimmer bumps into you. Once you've practiced these skills a few times, open water starts to feel a lot less intimidating. Next, think ...