Triathlon is super fun, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all sunshine and roses 24/7. Training can get tough, and this can lead to some serious lows. Luckily, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and you just need to find a way to power forward so you can eventually get back to feeling great and loving the sport. Here are a few lows you might encounter (or that you might have felt already) and how you can deal with them.
Monotonous training
There may be three disciplines to triathlon (plus strength work in the gym), but training can still feel monotonous at times. Once you find a workout split that works for you, you probably won’t change it. When you discover a few cycling and running routes you like, you tend to stick to them. And the pool? Well, the pool is 25 to 50 metres long and it can get to feel a little dizzying after a while.
How can you break out of this monotony? You don’t have to make any huge changes. Try searching for new routes to give your runs and rides a different flavour. Add some fun personal challenges to your workouts so you have a short-term goal to chase. Find a buddy to run, bike, or swim with so you aren’t going at it alone day after day. Any way you can mix things up will help you break out of this slump.
Injury
There are few lows in triathlon that feel as bad as an injury. You’re used to training so much, and all of a sudden you can’t. The key to climbing out of this low is to do what you can. If you can’t run or bike, do lots of swimming and upper-body work at the gym. If you can’t swim, commit to improving as a cyclist and runner. Go for hikes, join a climbing gym, play soccer. Do whatever you can manage without injuring yourself further.
Time commitment
You might feel a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) as a triathlete. You might be too tired to go out with friends, or you might be reluctant to go because you know you have to train in the morning. If you’re feeling down because training is such a time commitment, it’s OK to take a step back. Dial down your training and take some time for yourself. Triathlon is supposed to be fun, so you shouldn’t let it become a chore that ruins other parts of your life.
Self-doubt
At some point, you might feel self-doubt creeping in. You might not think you’re good enough to reach your triathlon goals. This can be quite upsetting, and it can lead to seriously low lows. In times like this, take a look back at where you were when you started in the sport. You’ve come such a long way, and that’s something to be proud of. This can help you remember that you’ve put in the work, and it will inspire you to keep going.