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10 New Year’s resolutions for triathletes

Hit the ground running in the new year with these triathlon resolutions

As we head into a new year, triathletes shift from analyzing their past season to setting ambitious goals for the upcoming year. Here are ten triathlon resolutions you can make in 2019.

Triathletes competing at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside in 2017.

Mix it up – training and racing

Mastered the sprint distance? Double up and race an Olympic distance triathlon. Are you “comfortable” doing the half Ironman distance? Challenge yourself will a full Ironman.

Related: How to move up to a sprint triathlon

Or maybe you’re one of those endurance junkies that do a number of long course races in the season. In the new year, try going down in distance to develop your speed. Then, later in the season, come back up to the longer distances, you may surprise yourself with the speed you’re able to sustain.

Recruit a friend or family member into triathlon

Together we are better. Share your love for the outdoors, triathlon and challenging yourself with others. By getting a friend or family member into triathlon you’ll also be able to spend more time with loved ones.

Try something new

While you can change up the distances you do, you can also change the type of multisport races you do. There are duathlons, aquathlons (swim/run), aquabikes and off-road triathlons.

Karsten Madsen racing at Xterra Quebec 2018. Photo: @karstenmad

The change in stimulus will give yourself a new challenge, physically and mentally.

Don’t hit the snooze button

Those early morning swim practices… That’s what I’m talking about. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get better by lying in bed. Take the time the night before to prepare everything you’ll need to get out the door and make those 6 AM lane swim sessions.

Learn to take care of your bike

Does your bike really deserve that? You pee on it, forget to clean it, and if you’re honest, you aren’t all that sure what you’ll do if you have a mechanical on the side of the road.

Related: Bike repair: How to change a flat

Well, take the time in the new year to learn. Bike shops across Canada hold clinics on the basics of bike maintenance. Your bike will thank you and you may save yourself (and your wallet) a few trips to the bike shop in the new year.

Set goals – many goals

This one is self-explanatory, but it deserves recognition. Don’t just set a big goal of completing an Ironman for the new year, set multiple smaller goals to build towards your big goal. Be SMART with your goal setting, make sure your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.

Related: Goal setting for training, racing and life

Keep a training log

Keeping tabs on where you are in training is always a good idea. It’s helpful to look back on past workouts to see where things may have gone wrong or if you set a big PB, it’s motivating to see just how far you’ve come.

Join a training group

Members of the Jet Triathlon Club at the Joilette Triathlon. Photo: Jet Triathlon Club

Have you reached a plateau in your training or race results? Consider joining a training group. Across Canada, there are a number of master swim programs, cycling and running clubs. You can also join one of the hundreds of triathlon training groups across Canada.

Related: Tips for joining a tri club this fall

Training in a group may help keep you accountable towards your goals and opens the door to meeting new people in the community.

Listen to your body

Triathletes are used to massive training weeks, and because of the sheer volume of training, we can run the risk of injury. Sometimes too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. In the new year, convince yourself that you can take a day off here and there if you feel an injury coming on. An intermittent or weekly day off is better than needing to take weeks and months off at a time.

Compete at a destination race

Racing in Bermuda

There’s a certain feeling of travelling to a race, somewhere you wouldn’t normally go to.

Related: Winter Getaways for 2019

Race-cations are a great way to include the whole family in your triathlon experience and they can give you a target for your season.