Build a Community

Making your way in the world today,

takes everything you’ve got;

taking a break from all your worries,

sure would help a lot;

wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go,

where everyone knows your name, 

and they’re always glad you came;

you want to go where you can see,

our troubles are all the same;

You want to be where everybody knows your name

Being a triathlete is often times a lonely endeavor.  Early mornings, late nights, multiple workouts each day made up of pool sessions, bike sessions and run sessions; sometimes we need like minded company to keep us focused and motivated.  I’ve found three communities that work to force myself out into the world to be around other triathletes.  

I’m blessed with having a local bike shop that is a hub of endurance activity.  I’m sure you’ve all seen at least one episode of the television show, Cheers, I’ve become the “Norm,” of the Bike shop.  Free time, time between sessions, need some motivation; I stop by the bike shop and hang out for an hour.  Besides having my coach own and operate the bike shop, everyone who works there races and people are always stopping in for accessories or bike adjustments.  Thus, the talk often turns toward racing, training or discussions of cool places to go ride.  I’ve also set up a few group rides just by hanging in the bike shop.  Aside from the training aspect, I get a chance to read through the literature as new info is released and I can stay up on the happenings in my sport.  I’d suggest you try to find a place where endurance athletes gather in your town.  If you don’t have something, make it!  Set up a weekly meeting at a coffee shop or find a room at the local library or YMCA.  Most libraries and the YMCA will give free reservations to have a small gathering so you can share ideas and stay motivated.

Hanging out at the bike shop!
Sometimes we also celebrate



Building off the group and gathering mentality, I also lean heavily on the triathlon clubs I belong too.  I’m lucky in another aspect, I have two excellent and active triathlon clubs a short drive from my house.  I’m a member of both the Mid Maryland Tri Club and the Frederick Tri Club.  The clubs meet once a month and usually have a guest speaker to give a lecture on a sport specific topic.  Aside from the lecture, clubs offer the ability to network with other triathletes.  You’ll have the opportunity to find training partners, share training plans and discuss races.  Most clubs also offer race support, they setup a tent and act as home base at races if enough members are racing at one specific venue. The biggest benefit of a triathlon club is they are a great way to join in on or set up group training sessions.  I plan on heavily utilizing my triathlon club ties to group training as I prepare for my half and full Ironman races in 2015.

Just a few of the clubs and my team
I'm a member of 

Finally, the one thing I find to be both the most polarizing and most important, my decision to find and hire a coach.  I’ve had a triathlon specific coach since day #1 in the sport.  I’m fortunate in my coach is a long time friend and many times over an Ironman to go along with having qualified for ITU Worlds in his illustrious racing career; so having him coach me is a no-brain decision.  I find having a coach makes training simple, he sets the schedule, I show up and do the work without having to think or plan.  My occupational schedule is hectic and keeps me busy, I don’t have the time to plan my training for weeks in advance, keep track of my heavy load weeks and when I need to rest.  My coach does all the thinking for me, the system allows me to focus on the actual work.  The last benefit of having a coach is I’m more confident.  I have the natural ability to focus, follow and execute a plan.  When my coach sets a plan I gain confidence by ticking off the work sessions leading to a race.  I have yet to go into a race doubting my conditioning or my preparation, thus I’m able to toe the line and perform with no doubt and achieve maximum result.  Not to brag, but I have yet to race and not perform better than expected.  I know some people are against having a coach because they don’t want to let go of control or they enjoy over thinking the process and I understand their logic.  However, results speak for themselves, coaching works wonders for me!  I’ll never do this sport without a coach.  One final word on coaching, I think personality match and training philosophy have to be similar or the coaching arrangement will never work.  If you want a lot of intensity and your coach believes in low intensity and a lot of rest; your arrangement will never work.  Likewise, if you have a coach who sets the schedule and expects you to be self directed but you need lots of personal attention this won’t work either.  My coaching arrangement is perfect because my coach and I are friends, but we also have similar views of the world.  It also helps the coaching arrangement we’re both smart asses.  I can fill in my training peaks with smart ass descriptions knowing he’ll laugh when he reads them. In our coaching relationship we both leave each other alone knowing the work is being completed but he also knows if I come screaming something is definitely wrong.  I also like knowing I have the power to rearrange my schedule to fit with my work demands or if I’m exhausted I have the power to take an unscheduled off day with no repercussions.  Our arrangement is ideal, so ideal even my coach says the exact things I need to hear before a race!  Before my first half-marathon I text my coach, “Hey coach, any last minute words?”  At mile 4 I got a text, “You already beat everyone who is still in bed!  Just keep running!”  It was what I needed to go on and set a PR while also finishing almost 8 minutes faster than we planned.  My last example came this past sunday at my first triathlon.  I walked over to my coach and asked, “Any words of wisdom before I start?” “Yeah, don’t suck!”  Seriously, my coach is awesome and you need one!  (PS...here comes a shameless plug!  You can find and contact my coach here)

After one of our saturday night
group rides lead by my coach

Being a triathlete doesn’t have to be a lonely lifestyle.  Many options exist for getting out into the world and living a life surrounded by people.  My ideas of finding a local hub, joining local tri clubs and finding a coach are just a few examples of what is available to you.  I’m sure there are many more ways you can get out to explore the world and meet like minded people.  Think outside the box to come up with ways to build your own specific community and get out into the world, you might just become a better athlete by finding and sharing the experience with fellow endurance friends.