How doing a duathlon next season could help you reach your tri goals

Whether or not someone is a triathlete, when they hear the word triathlon, they know that it’s a hard event. Those same people who are familiar with triathlon, however, might have no clue what a duathlon is. Duathlon is like the younger sibling of triathlon, and although it gets much less attention, it’s actually harder. That’s why training for a duathlon next season is a great idea. As counterintuitive as it sounds, substituting the swim for another run could elevate your triathlon game.

Duathlons really are harder

You might be thinking that there is no way a duathlon is harder than a triathlon because the swim is the most difficult part the race for you. That’s fair, but until you have done a duathlon, you won’t understand the pain that a run-bike-run race can put you through. You know that feeling in your legs when you’re running after a hard bike? It’s way worse after already running a hard effort before hammering the ride.

You are going to have to dig incredibly deep when doing your first duathlon (and any others you might enter after that), and while it will be very difficult in the moment, it is great practice for your mental game. You are going to want to walk, to jog, or to simply quit in that second run leg of the race, so you’ll have to find another level to convince yourself to carry on.

Your run will improve

This is likely pretty obvious, as you will be training for two runs on race day rather than just the one. Plus, you might dial back your swim training to fit more run sessions into your schedule. All of this will work to improve your run, both before and after the bike.

Your bike will improve

Think of how easy it will be to fly on the bike when you haven’t run five or 10 kilometres before T1. Swimming can be hard and it can certainly tire you out, but it’s much easier on your legs. At that first triathlon back after venturing into the world of duathlon, you are going to feel amazing on the bike, as your legs will be so fresh.

Race practice

Odds are you are going to want to perform well in your duathlon, but since it’s not going to be your A race for the year, there will be less pressure to be perfect. If you don’t make your age group podium, it won’t be a big deal, as the whole point of the race is to peak for your next triathlon. You can use it as practice to tweak tiny things ahead of your next race. Transitions, your nutrition plan, and pacing are all things that you can practice in a duathlon to perfect for triathlon without the worry of messing up and ruining your shot at a podium or PB.

New is fun

Adding a new event to the mix in your training and racing schedule will be fun. As a triathlete, you’re likely so focused on one singular goal, and while that can be fun, too, it’s nice to shake things up and get a new experience. You might not fall in love with duathlon, but it’ll still be a good time.