Triathlon Training: Importance Of Community
In some of our recent posts, race reports and emails that we’ve sent out, the phrase “it takes a village” has been used.
To develop as an athlete, to reach your potential, I would suggest that you should involve others in your journey – whether that is a coach, some teammates, some athletes you can train with every now and again, other athletes you can talk to and learn from. As well as the benefits of training alongside others, coaching support or even cheerleading, you should lean into others to help you develop as an athlete.
Here are some reasons why you want to surround yourself with other people on your triathlon journey.
Role Models
You can learn a lot from other athletes. When you think of other athletes, do you have any role models, or people that generally inspire you? Do any particular athletes spring to mind? What is it about them that you like? What do they do that makes them stand out? Is it performances, mindset, training consistency, attitudes?
Being around other athletes and part of a community, you witness athletes first hand – their traits, characteristics and habits rub off.
Which leads us nicely into …
You Are Who You Surround Yourself With
In my experience, some of the most valuable lessons or insights come from simple chats with fellow athletes whilst out on the bike, or whilst you are sitting in reception with others waiting for the swim session to start.
You are who you surround yourself with
Learn From Others
Being around others, you hear about their experiences. You learn lessons from other athletes, about problems they had to solve.
“What would I do in that situation?”
“She did really well in that moment”
“I didn’t think of that!”
You become a wiser athlete by listening, chatting, learning from others.
Race Reports
When you take the time to read other people’s race reports, or reflections on their race, you can learn and copy some of the tips and tricks that worked for them. Things you had never thought about before.
In a recent race report, one of our athletes talked about his bike to run transition. In particular, he mentioned that instead of sitting down and ‘getting dressed’, he grabbed a ziplock bag with his stuff in (glasses, cap, watch, suncream, gels), ran out of transition and and ‘got dressed’ on the run. This strategy hit home with another athlete and she adopted this approach in her very next race (to great success).
Accelerate Your Athletic Age
Become a more experienced, knowledgable and skilled athlete by listening / learning / surrounding yourself with experienced athletes. Benefit from their years in the sport – and try and avoid the mistakes they no doubt made!
Support Others
In my view, you will learn more and develop faster as an athlete, if you offer support / guide / mentor / advise others. To offer thoughtful and insightful guidance to others, you will need to stop, think, reflect and articulate. This process can really help bring clarity to your own thinking.
Coaching
What can I say about coaching that hasn’t already been said?
Structure, direction, accountability, relevant sessions, suitable intensities, appropriate focus, advice & guidance, sounding board and much, much more.
Other Content
In our case, (hopefully) the blogs, emails, articles and posts also contribute to your development as an athlete and help you think differently about some things and bring clarity and direction to your athletic journey. Whether it is our content, or other podcasts or newsletters, reading and listening can bring life to the training plan and your day to day training. Context, wider understanding, mindset, inspiration.
Hopefully, you now see some of the many benefits of leaning into others, and being part of a wider community.
No more ‘lone wolf’ thinking, more “it takes a village” mindset.
Triathlon Training: Importance Of Community
Discover more from Triathlon Swim Squad
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.