Whether you're gearing up for your first race or you're on triathlon number eight, one thing is always true: no two races are ever the same. Training plans may look familiar, but your body, mindset, and schedule are constantly evolving. That’s the beauty of triathlon—it’s not just about the finish line. It’s about the journey you take to get there.
Planning ahead can take the stress out of race day and make space for what really matters: confidence, pride, and the joy of pushing yourself. So whether you're just getting started or you've been racking up medals for years, here’s a practical (and realistic!) guide to help you prepare.
1: Choose Your Race
Not all triathlons are created equal, and that’s a good thing. Not only does distance matter, but so does the terrain (hills vs flat / ocean vs lake). The most common distances include:
Sprint (400-750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run)
Olympic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run)
Half Ironman (70.3) and Full Ironman (140.6)
If you’re new to the sport, a Sprint is a great place to start. Not only does it help you learn the fourth sport of triathlon - transition; it’ll also help you get a feeling for your nutrition needs during a race scenario.
2: Make a Plan That Works for You—and Know Your Why
There are a lot of options when planning for a triathlon race, but the primary goal is to have a plan. You don’t need a super expensive coach or a massive seven-days-a-week commitment to finish a Sprint or Olympic distance triathlon. The key is to have a solid 10–16 week training plan tailored to your race distance and lifestyle is all you need. Apps like Garmin, TriDot, or even free printable plans can help you structure your training. But here's the real secret: consistency beats perfection.
Miss a workout? Life happens. Just keep going.
Maybe you’re chasing a PR or it’s race-cation with friends or triathlon is a new endeavor for you to do something that challenges you, either way, knowing why you’re doing this will help you stay motivated when training gets tough. I like to think about how I’ll feel when I cross the finish line and what I’ll do right after (ice cream, winery, or a big burger!) Whatever it is for that race, it brings a smile back to my face during the tough waves of a race.
3: Get Comfortable with the Basics
Triathlon training is about balance—literally and figuratively. Here's what to prioritize:
Brick workouts: Practice bike-to-run transitions so your legs don’t feel like jelly
Swim confidence: If your race includes open water, practice outside the pool
Rest days: Don’t skip these—they’re where the magic (and muscle) happens
And remember, training doesn’t just build fitness—it builds trust in yourself. Every early morning workout, every small win, every time you push through when it gets tough, you’re proving to yourself that you can do hard things. That kind of trust sticks with you—not just on race day, but in life.
4: Prep Like a Pro (Even If You're Not One)
Race day comes fast—so make your training weeks count. This is your time to dial in what works for you: test your nutrition strategy, practice your gear setup, and mentally rehearse those transitions until they feel second nature. It’s not about perfection—it’s about confidence.
Even if you’re not rocking a carbon bike or a high-tech tri suit, what really matters is comfort, confidence, and familiarity. If your socks bunch up, fix it. If your water bottle leaks, find a new one. If something doesn’t feel right in training, it won’t magically feel better on race day. *Be sure to check out my RACE PLAN post for more details.
And once you’ve crossed the finish line—whether you're beaming or dragging—trust us: you’ll want to throw on something cozy (and cute) to celebrate the moment. Think: that hoodie or tee that makes you feel strong, proud, and like the badass athlete you are.
🎉 Our women’s triathlon pride gear was made exactly for that finish line feeling.
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5: Soak It In and Celebrate
The night before your race, lay out everything: shoes, race bib, snacks, water bottles, and an extra layer for chilly morning starts.
On race morning, expect nerves, energy, excitement—and porta-potty lines. Embrace it all. You've worked hard to be here. (and absolutely try hard to avoid the temptation to compare your gear to everyone else’s).
During the race, pace yourself, breathe deep, and look around. There’s a whole community out there cheering each other on—and you’re part of it.
When you cross the finish line, take a beat. Let it sink in. You did this.
Celebrate Your Victory—Big or Small
You’ve trained hard, pushed your limits, and made it to race day. That’s worth celebrating—whether it’s your first race or your eighth. Our triathlon lifestyle gear was made for that post-race pride (and for comfy coffee runs the next day).
Final Thoughts
Every triathlon is a new adventure. Planning ahead helps you race with confidence—but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Whether you're training in the early morning light, crossing the finish line, or swapping stories afterward, this sport is all about heart.
We’ll see you at the start line. 💪
P.S. That's me in the purple/pink swim skin at the start line of a local race.
