Check out this month’s Austin Woman Magazine for the monthly fitness article from MyFitList! Continuing our focus on Triathlon, we share our list of 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Jumping into the Sport of Triathlon. Pick up your copy of Austin Woman Magazine on stands now, or read the March 2012 Digital Edition online!

Training and racing in triathlons is an amazing way to stay fit, particularly in Austin. Not only do you get to enjoy the outdoors as you swim, bike and run, but you also become a part of the vibrant triathlon community of athletes, coaches and supporters. Triathlon is one of the most popular endurance sports in Austin, and participating in this sport is an awesome experience that we encourage everyone to try at least once. Before you jump in to triathlon, we brought together coaches and experienced triathletes to share the insight they wish they had before they got started in the sport. See you at the finish line!

  1. Find Your Training Fit
    Spend time figuring out what training setting works best for you. Do you need guidance, accountability or skill development? Do you prefer individual attention versus camaraderie with fellow athletes? Would you feel more comfortable training in a women-only group? Shop around before you join a group and take advantage of trial periods to make sure you enjoy working with the coaches and other athletes.
  2. Beware of the Urge to Splurge
    Triathlon can be a gear- and equipment-heavy sport. It can add up quickly if you’re not careful. But that’s not to say you can’t do triathlons if you’re on a budget. Be smart and spend wisely when necessary. Then, as you get more involved and experienced in the sport, upgrade your beginner gear.
  3. Know What You’re Getting in to
    Watch a race before you compete in your first race. It’s not only helpful to get a gr asp of logistics of the race—bike setup, open-water swim course, running course, transitions—it is also extremely motivating and will get you excited about your own race. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community, watch a race up close and personal, and meet fellow athletes.
  4. It’s Not Just a Sport, It’s a Lifestyle
    Triathlon requires a lot of training and discipline, and you’ll find that it influences many aspects of your life. You’ll go to sleep earlier on a Friday night and wake up earlier on a Saturday morning than you ever would have thought. You’ll start to eat better, read and blog about triathlon and talk to your friends about working out.
  5. Not All Races Are Created Equal
    For your first race, try a sprint distance or break up the Olympic distance in to a relay with two other friends. It is also a good idea to seek out a local race for your first. Traveling for a race brings with it a lot of other things to consider that you might not want to add to your first-race jitters. Ask around at local tri shops like Jack and Adam’s Bicycles. These experts will be able to recommend great local beginner-friendly races.
  6. Be Your Own Barometer of Success
    It’s easy to get caught up in the competitiveness of the sport. It is important to set your goals and decide what you want to achieve. Challenge yourself, and use races and your teammates as motivation to reach your goals, but remember what is important to you.
  7. Self-Care is Critical
    Triathlon and endurance-sport training put your body under physical stress, so it’s important to take really good care of yourself. This means massages, eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, stretching, foam rolling, yoga, cross training and listening to your body. Triathlon can be a very fun and fulfilling lifestyle, as long as you take care of your body.
  8. It’s Highly Addictive
    You think completing an Ironman sounds insane, impossible or you just don’t have time? Just wait until you complete your first season. You’ll be hooked for life!
  9. Triathlon Can Change Your Life
    You’ll meet some of your best friends (and friends you’ll see the most), improve your health and push yourself to new levels physically and mentally.

Now that you know what you’re getting in to, here are a few tips from a few of Austin’s top triathlon coaches to get you going!

Carrie Barrett of FOMO Training:
Have fun. The missing ingredient to so many people who are caught up in gadgets and wizardry. My personal mantra is, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, someone else will.” Have fun during the training. It truly is a gift. (More about FOMO Training)

Shawn Bostad of Pure Austin Coaching (PAC):
Always train with a purpose.  Have a goal with every session and make that goal measurable. (More about Pure Austin Coaching)

Tzatzil LeMair of Tough Cookie Fitness:
Mix it up and keep it fun. Variety is the spice of life also applies to fitness. Cross-training is not only good for you body but also your mind. Adding yoga, pilates or bootcamp classes can help keep you fit and avoid overuse injuries. (More about Tough Cookie Fitness)

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Chrissie Jarrell and Natalie Yerkovich, the gals who created myfitlist.com, do the grunt work for you. Well, the organizational grunt work, anyway. They work hard to connect people with the fitness groups, information and resources they need so they can grunt, sweat and tone to achieve their personal goals.

Read the fun and inspirational fitness articles by the creators of MyFitList, every month in Austin Woman Magazine. This article can be found in the March 2012 issue on stands and online now!

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MyFitList brings together the latest information on hundreds of local fitness businesses in Austin. We’re your resource for inspiration and information for getting and staying fit. Search hundreds of Austin fitness groups and services like running, triathlon, bootcamps, yoga studios, gyms and more all in one place! Check us out at www.myfitlist.com