Why Adventure Needs to Be Planned Into Your Triathlon Training

[Steve Dummett]

Triathlon training can be an all-consuming endeavour, filled with rigorous schedules, structured workouts, and performance goals. But what if we told you that incorporating a little adventure into your training plan could help you become a stronger, more resilient athlete? Here's why you should consider integrating adventure into your triathlon training:

 

Variety and Mental Refreshment: Adding adventure into your training routine helps break the monotony of structured workouts and keeps your training fresh and exciting. Whether it's a trail run through a new park or an open-water swim in a beautiful lake, introducing variety can stimulate your mind and body, helping you stay motivated and engaged throughout your training.

 

 

Developing Adaptability: Adventure teaches you to adapt and overcome unexpected challenges, which translates directly to race-day resilience. From navigating rough terrain on a mountain bike ride to dealing with harsh weather conditions during an outdoor swim, these experiences will force you to think on your feet and develop the problem-solving skills needed to tackle any obstacles that come your way.

 

Building Strength and Endurance: Adventure activities like gravel riding, kayaking, or hiking engage different muscle groups and provide low-impact cross-training opportunities. These activities not only help you build overall strength and endurance but also give your primary muscle groups a break from the typical triathlon training grind.

 

Enhancing Mental Toughness: Adventure challenges you to push beyond your comfort zone and conquer fears. Whether it's conquering a fear of isolation on a hiking excursion or embracing the unpredictability of a whitewater rafting trip, these experiences can help you develop mental resilience and self-confidence, essential traits for any triathlete.

 

Fostering a Deeper Connection with Nature: Spending time in nature and exploring new environments can create a sense of awe and appreciation for the world around us. This deeper connection to nature can enhance mental well-being and provide perspective, reminding us of why we fell in love with endurance sports in the first place.

 

Incorporating adventure into your triathlon training plan doesn't mean abandoning your structured workouts entirely. Instead, it's about finding a balance between focused training and exploration. By intentionally planning adventure into your regimen, you'll not only become a stronger athlete but also reignite your passion for the sport and develop a deeper appreciation for the journey.

 

Watch out for the Rising Tide Adventures in the coming months.  We are planning an open water swim at Wivenhoe and some trail running at the Bunya Mountains.  We have just done some gravel riding along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (on road-bikes with 28mm thorn-proof tyres).  The biggest challenge for the bikes was ensuring we didn't get a buckled wheel or broken spokes on the cattle grids.  The biggest challenge for the riders was staying upright in some of the gully crossings.