Want to improve the quality of your workouts, rev up your motivation and grow your skills, train more with other athletes. Yes, it really is that simple.
Whether you are swimming, biking, running, lifting weights, or working on core strength, you will make greater gains and have more fun if you can rope a friend or two or more into doing it with you. There is power in accountability, competition, and support that comes from having training partners.
My friend, Triathlon Coach, Janine Pleasant’s advice on motivation can be summed up in two sentences. “1. Set specific goals and socialize them so you can’t wimp out. 2. Don’t train alone. It is much harder to bail if someone else is counting on you.”
Stealing Skills
In our pursuit of going faster or farther, we sometimes get so involved pushing hard and gutting out the workouts we forget to hone our skills. Swimming is mostly skill. Getting better at shifting or cornering will make you faster on the bike. Running form, while often neglected, can improve your speed and economy. Seeing how others approach and execute in your chosen sport can give you new ideas to improve your training. Having additional eyes on you can find mistakes that are keeping you in a rut and out of the fast lane.
Chasing Bicycles
For example, I spent the winter doing the Saturday group ride with my friendly neighborhood roadies. I learned to layer for cold weather. Got better at riding in traffic and crossing roads. Received support, encouragement, and a nickname. I also discovered that nothing is more motivational than trying to maintain visual contact with a distant blinky light when you aren’t entirely sure how to find your way back to the parking lot. I also learned that you always bring an extra gel or bar just in case someone forgot theirs.
Last year I got together with two friends to train for the Winter Challenge, an off-road triathlon that features a trail run followed by paddling a kayak and finishes with a mountain bike ride. It was an exciting change of pace, the highlight of my season and I almost learned how to paddle a kayak.
Friend Don’t Let Friends Train Alone
I’ve done a lot of solo training over the years mainly because I’m not good at scheduling, slower than the average bear, and to be honest, a bit socially awkward. Over time I’ve learned that it’s not that hard to find a way to train with friends if you just look for opportunities. Pool workouts, spin classes, and track workouts can be great for back-of-the-pack athletes. Another possibility is to take a group exercise class with friends to work on that all-important core strength. So you’ll be sore for a few days or weeks, at least you will have someone to commiserate with. Stumble onward and bring a friend.