Maximize Your Time
With work and family, it's essential to find ways to squeeze in a training session.
A few ideas are to:
1. Bike commute to and from work.
2. Run or swim during lunch.
3. Make lunches and dinners on Sunday evenings so you have time to train after work during the week.
4. Outsource—if you're cleaning the house for two or three hours at a time, hire a cleaning service. That's two or three hours more you can spend training.
More: 7 Triathlon Training Tweaks
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and nutrition are extremely important to improving your performance. Make sure you:
* Hydrate properly
* Recover with the right nutrients for your muscles.
* Eat a balanced diet: protein, carbs, good fats.* For female triathletes, you might want to look into supplements for iron and calcium. Speak to your doctor about what supplements you might need to take.
* Don't be afraid of salt. Salt is necessary and good—both on race day and training.
More: The Role of Strength Training in Triathlon
Travel
Travel is a major stressor on your body. Give yourself plenty of time to get over the jetlag and travel time. A good idea is to give yourself a couple of days to adjust and recover from traveling.
Also, make yourself as comfortable on the road as you are at home. Pack food that you're used to eating, bring your own pillow if you can't sleep on other beds, pack a picture of your family for the hotel, or maybe even bring along your favorite slippers. The idea is to make yourself feel like you're at home when on the road, so your body feels safe.
More: A 12-Month Overview of Long-Distance Training
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