It is the inevitable question that almost every beginner to the triathlon world has to ask his or herself. Should I be worried about my triathlon times? The answer, unfortunately, is yes and no. Obviously, this needs an explanation.

The first factor to consider is how much conditioning you have as an athlete in general. A seasoned athlete in one leg of the race may consider their triathlon times to be of importance since they would like to rank in among the professionals. On the other hand, most of us that are doing our first triathlon are only concerned about finishing. We decided to get off the couch one day, put on shoes and go for our first run. Being concerned about your triathlon times should be the furthest thing from your mind. Instead, focus on improving your skills and endurance. Your times will improve automatically.

Second, a triathlete needs to consider how much time they have to dedicate to the sport. Working full time, taking care of a family and fulfilling other obligations will always be time consuming and fitting in a rigorous triathlon training program can be quite difficult. Make sure and allot enough time to make your training beneficial but don’t let it outweight your other family obligations.

Remember this: You aren’t going to get first no matter how hard you train and hopefully you won’t get last. Just finishing is quite an accomplishment for most people so don’t be too hard on yourself if it takes you four hours to finish an olympic length triathlon. Keep your focus on improving your skills and endurance and you will be amazed how much it will cut down your triathlon times.

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There is a lot of people that want to do some team triathlon training instead of just going about it on their own. Understandably, it makes it a lot easier to have the support of others for triathlon training then going about it on your own. What about the option of joining TEAM in Training? TEAM in Training is one of the best options for a person that needs a little extra support. TEAM supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by raising money for cancer and other blood disorder research.

What does it take to join TEAM in Training? Every member agrees to do fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and in return, gets active support and training for anything from a triathlon, marathon or century rides. A person can find a local chapter of the TEAM in Training group to be a part of and get the support and training needed.

It makes it a little easier to put on the running shoes or strap on the bike helmet if you know that you are making a difference in another person’s life. It is also a lot easier knowing you have others along the way that are going to support you. Check out TEAM in Training for your health, the friendships and a great cause.

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It would never be argued that a football player needs a helmet but so many people hesitate on buying triathlon apparel, often considering it unnecessary to their success. Is this the case? While it is true that most triathletes don’t need a $5,000 bicycle or $300 running shoes, triathlon apparel does have its appropriate place. For instance, a good pair of running shoes is an absolute necessity. Throwing on any pair of sneakers is a recipe for disaster. Both for your feet and your training. The average triathlete should be able to buy a pair around $80-$120 that will be good enough. It is always a good idea to go into a running store and have them help you find a specific shoe for you. A good fit will keep your foot from getting as fatigued and will help to prevent injuries. The most debated subject is often on the expense of a wetsuit. A triathlon wetsuit can run several hundred dollars. A person will want to make sure they aren’t buying one to compete in only a single race. Instead, find a local shop that has rentals if you only plan on competing once. One piece of triathlon apparel that is often a good buy is a one piece triathlon specific suit. It is designed to be worn from start to finish. This means no changing clothes during the swim to bike transition and it can be worn right under a wetsuit. It also has the necessary built in pockets to hold things like gels and bars. Don’t go overboard, buying the most expensive equipment and apparel that is available. Work up a budget that you can afford to spend and then decide whether it is better to spend a little more on one item over another. This will also keep your spouse (if you are married) from getting after you for all the money you are spending!

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It is the major downfall of almost every sport that a person enjoys. It is the inevitable offseason that happens every year. Sticking to a triathlon schedule when there are very few races around the area can be fairly aggravating. The last thing you want to do is become a couch potato for the winter and lose all the ground that you gained during the year. Instead of this option, making a triathlon schedule that includes some offseason events will keep you prepared for the spring. Stay focused on keeping up a level of activity, even if it is not specific to your normal triathlon training program.

What can this include? Many triathletes take up skiing or snowboarding during the winter because this keeps the core muscles of the body in shape throughout the season. It will not be exactly the same as pounding the pavement or swimming laps in a pool but a little rest from a rigorous training routine can also keep a person from burning out on the sport. You can still keep up going to the gym for cycling, swimming or running and may even be able to take these outside when there isn’t any snow on the ground.

Many triathletes schedule winter vacations to warmer climates that may have triathlons that go on year round. There are plenty of hotter spots that feature Christmas Day triathlons and more during the holidays. Don’t forget that you don’t have to stick to triathlons either. Compete in some smaller runs or rides that keep up your fitness, enthusiasm and drive for next season. If possible, find a training partner that doesn’t mind slipping on a stocking cap and gloves for that wintery run!

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Once a person enters the world of triathlons, it is easy to see how much time can be consumed by the sport. There are events all over the world, practically year round. This doesn’t even include the fact that Xterra triathlon series are popping up all over the place. There is no real right or wrong answer for a person that is considering whether to start Xterra triathlon training or not. The question lies in how much time a person is willing to devote to the training and if they are going to try and do both. There are a few questions that a person needs to ask themselves?

• Do I already have a triathlon training background or am I starting from scratch?
• How much time am I willing to invest in learning how to mountain bike and trail run?
• Can I afford the expense of a new bike, different shoes and more?

This is in no way meant to scare a person off from the Xterra triathlon events that are becoming so popular. They can be very rewarding for the person that takes the time and energy to get involved with them. In fact, one of the writers for our columns began his triathlon career with an Xterra event. There is definitely a different discipline in learning how to hurl your body down a mountain on all different types of riding surfaces and sometimes incredibly adverse conditions. Although, talk with any Xterra triathlete and they will tell you there is nothing more exhilarating than bombing down a single track at full speed with the trees and the brush flying past your sides. If this sounds like your type of thing, Xterra may be the place for you.

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