Come and join us with the ITC’s Eid Aquathtlon event that is happening on Friday, 12 April 2024 at America School Bahrain. Click here for registration.
Triathlon is a demanding sport that requires athletes to be in top physical condition. Participating in this sport involves swimming, cycling, and running all in one race. The key to being successful in triathlon is not only physical training but also proper nutrition. Eating a balanced diet can help you stay energized, speed up recovery, and improve your overall performance.
To excel in triathlon, you need to have a well-planned nutrition strategy. The food you eat before, during, and after the race has a significant impact on your performance. During the swim, your body uses glucose as its primary fuel source. Before the race, it’s advisable to consume carbohydrates to provide your body with energy to sustain the race. Once you start cycling, your body burns more carbohydrates and fats. It’s essential to consume a mix of both to keep your body fuelled throughout the race. Running requires the most energy, and your body needs a lot of carbohydrates to keep you going. Carbohydrates are essential in maintaining a steady blood sugar level, which prevents fatigue and improves endurance.
Nutrition and performance in triathlon are closely related. A well-balanced diet can help you achieve your best performance. Understanding the science of eating can help you get the right combination of nutrients for optimal performance. Protein is essential for muscle recovery, while carbohydrates provide the body with energy. Fats are also necessary for energy production, but it’s essential to choose healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Hydration is also a crucial aspect of nutrition. Drinking enough water and electrolytes during the race can prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.
Eating right is not only important during the race but also during training. Adequate nutrition can help you recover faster and build endurance. A well-balanced diet should include carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits can help you get the necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal health. Additionally, avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall well-being.
Eating a well-balanced diet is not only essential for triathlon but also for overall health. It’s essential to make healthy food choices and find the right balance between carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. With the right nutrition strategy and training, you can achieve your goals in triathlon and enjoy the numerous benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. So, start fuelling your body with the right nutrients and get ready to conquer the triathlon world!
So you wanna be a triathlete?
Fact: You will not become efficient at swimming, biking or running overnight. This is NOT an easy sport.
Check your ego at the door because chances are someone fifty pounds heavier than you will lap you in the pool. Not to mention she will be ten or fifteen years older than you, too.
You will be passed on the bike many times, and you will never be the fastest runner in your town.
You will have early morning workouts. Really early.
You will plan your weekends around your swim, bike and run.
You will be up while others are sleeping.
You will be training while others are sitting.
You will discover others who also follow this blood, sweat and tears cult.
You will eventually get a flat tire…and have to change it all by yourself.
No matter what you hear, triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.
Warning, it is extremely addictive, hence the impulse spending on wetsuits, bikes, running shoes, aero bars, aero helmets, speed suits, power meters, GPS heart-rate monitors and many other “gotta have” items.
You will hate swimming more times than you like it for the first year.
You will suffer through road trips with whiny fellow triathletes.
You will suffer setbacks.
You may experience an injury.
You will develop a love/hate relationship with a foam roller and ice baths.
You will at some point realize you need a coach.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will wear tight clothing.
You will not like how this tight clothing fits or looks.
Your age will take on a whole new meaning.
You will discover a whole new meaning for tan lines.
Food will become an extremely important part of your life.
You will learn new words such as GU, cadence and brick.
You will hate swimming for the first year.
You will spend more time on your bike than on your couch.
You may lose a friend or two because you spend too much time swimming, biking and running, and they could care less about your heart rate training, foam rolling pain or 20-mile bike ride.
You will learn patience.
You will be humbled.
You will start to realize you are paying money to put yourself through pain and suffering, but for some odd reason, you LOVE it.
This sport called triathlon becomes a part of you. You start to plan your entire year around sprint, international, half iron- or full iron-distance races. Your vacations become racing, and you start to realize that this could become a life-long adventure.
Many people settle for things in life. They settle for a crappy job, marriage, friends, food, place to live and overall fitness and health. Those who desire more or those who want more out of life than a drive-thru window and boring sitcom, will choose triathlon or an activity that makes them happy an activity that will change their life.
Triathlon will change your outlook on life, your career, your marriage, your goals, your friends and many other things you thought you had figured out. It’s not just crossing a finish line or going home with a boring finisher medal. It’s the countless hours that got you to that point—a moment in time that you will NEVER forget, a moment that you will discuss with your family and friends for hours if not days after the event. These discussions will most likely be about how you could have done better. At what point could you have swum faster, biked harder or ran more efficient? This is what will go through your head every day until you get the opportunity to suffer again.
So you wanna be a triathlete? Enjoy the ride and train hard!