The Secret to Getting to the Root of a Problem

There are a lot of things that can get in the way of hard work.

For example, I love to get my personal training done first thing in the morning (like 5 AM-sh early). If I wait too long in the day, my motivation to go for that run or hop in the pool almost completely dissipates.

But sometimes things come up and I don’t get that morning training session in.

How do you get ahead of those things that get in the way of hard work? Here’s a little trick I use - it’s called the Rule of 5 Why’s.

Kyle JensenJune 29, 2020triathlon, training, excuses

Are You Getting Bored with Your Training Nutrition?

Bonking sucks. There is nothing worse then being in the middle of a workout or race and hitting that wall. Essentially, bonking is caused by glycogen depletion from the muscles and liver. This depletion occurs during continuous exercise that is sustained for long periods of time. The best way to prevent bonking is through nutrition. Maintaining a well-balanced, nutritious diet during the day can definitely help, but a lot of the time you need to consume calories during the workout. Enter gels, chews, tablets, etc. These products are designed to be convenient to take and mostly contain sugar. Some people find these energy products difficult to digest and don’t overly enjoy their artificial demeanor. Here are a couple alternative options for those not wanting to bonk but also not wanting to force themselves to swallow a gel mid workout:

Catherine AlcornOctober 22, 2019triathlon, nutrition, training, fruit, energy balls, chia seeds, pancakes

What Should I Do During the Off Season?

The end of a racing season can be a stressful and confusing time when athletes are unsure what to do next. This is a critical time of year when an athlete can make big decisions that will affect the next season’s racing and results. Rather than filled with stress, triathletes should spend this time of year full of excitement for the upcoming months of preparation and hard work.

Here are some simple ways to make a huge impact on your training season and start it off in the right direction.

Kyle JensenSeptember 21, 2019training, triathlon, off-season, goals, motivation

Try These 6 Simple Things to Combat Busyness in Your Training

Overwhelmed with fitting in workouts into your already hectic schedule? Struggling to balance work, training and maintaining a social life? Here are a couple tips to fit in your workouts and still have a life.

Catherine AlcornMarch 11, 2019triathlon, training, busy, time-crunched, schedule, swim, bike, run, running, gym, lunch break

How Can I Beat the Winter Blues in My Training?

Winter can be a frustrating time for triathletes. We have to do the majority of our training indoors to beat the cold and when training outside are faced with few hours of actual daylight. We have to get up while it is still dark, venture out into the cold, change into a tiny bathing suit and jump into a freezing pool. We have to spend hours on a stationary bike in stuffy rooms. We have to run on treadmills while staring at the same spot on the wall. It can get rough.

The Triathlete's Thanksgiving List

Feeling unmotivated this Thanksgiving season? T1 Athlete, Catherine, shares with us her gratitude list. Here are some great things that each and every triathlete should be thankful for.

Catherine AlcornNovember 20, 2018triathlon, thanksgiving, gratitude, grateful, thankful, training, racing, health, travel, family, friends, variety, swim, bike, run

How to Train for Triathlon with Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disorder characterized by high blood sugar and disruption of the metabolism of carbs, fats and proteins. Insulin, which is made by the pancreas, normally maintains blood glucose levels. People with type 1 diabetes are insulin dependent - their body does not secrete enough of it. People with type 2 diabetes are non-insulin dependent - insulin no longer works to decrease their blood glucose levels. Both can lead to long term damage and dysfunction of tissues and organs.

3 Great Tips to Help You Train on Vacation

Triathletes love to train. Taking time off from training is something we all dread. We love having a structured routine. We love waking up every morning having a workout to look forward to. So how do you figure out a training routine while on vacation?

What is the Difference Between Long Course and Short Course Triathlon?

Many people considering completing a triathlon do not realize that the word “triathlon” is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of races. They assume that in order to be a triathlete they have to complete a full ironman - quite the daunting task.

Triathlon is a sport friendly for all ages and abilities - you just have to pick the right distance.

Are You Doing This to Get Over Your Season-End Blues?

The end of triathlon season. The worst part of the year for a triathlete. The time when the air starts to get crisp, darkness sets in before supper time, and the wind becomes frigid. The time when the lakes begin to freeze over, the trails are covered in leaves, and snow begins to dust the highways. The beginnings of the off season. The end of structured, multi daily workouts and the start of way too much free time. Every triathlete knows the struggle of not having a gruelling workout to look forward to during the day.

Catherine AlcornOctober 8, 2018off-season, triathlon, training, cross-country, running, alberta, triathlete, runner, trail running, run

Performance is a Process

The task: answer two questions given to you by Coach Kyle.

Answering questions with basic, superficial, regurgitated run of the mill responses is easy. Delving deeper into oneself, truly breaking down a question and massaging out the knots is hard. But it results in a truer answer, one that comes directly from your inner being. Here goes.

Catherine AlcornMarch 13, 2018triathlon, training, racing, Catherine

The Great Balancing Act: The Triathlete Self Identity

I moved up to rural northern Alberta in 2015 after graduating from nursing school. I went to school in Toronto mega-city. I got experience in some of the major teaching hospitals and swam six times a week with an awesome masters group called “Masters of the Universe” - the name says it all.

Yume KobayashiDecember 12, 2017triathlon, triathlete, training, cycling, career