It’s that time of year when we all start to race. For many of us, some of these first races are non-priority races or “training races”. There are a few different ideas as to what a training race is and how it should be approached. Some people think that it just means that you don’t taper and “train through it”, giving them a nice excuse for not doing well. In fact, a training race is a prime opportunity to get great training, important experience and to test yourself in the exact environment that you are training for in the first place. Here are a few key points to consider and to plan out when doing your early season races and race simulation workouts:

1. Its still a Race: A training race is NOT a time to waste $100 on the entry fee to ride, swim, and/or run around in a circle with a bunch of other spandex clad freaks for the heck of it! It is an opportunity to really test yourself in the field against your peers instead of just yourself. With this in mind, aim for a specific, measurable goal. While this training race will not require a 3 week peak phase, you should take a few days before the race to make sure that you are well rested and ready for a good effort. You have committed the money, time, energy, and effort of getting up in the dark to meet at some random state park. Make it worthwhile!
   
   
2. Make a Goal: If you have been working hard on your cycling all winter and spring, your first non-priority Tri of the year might be a good event to focus 100% on the bike leg . See how fast you can go, how hard you can push yourself, and how you compare to your competition. If you know the course and/or the conditions are very similar to last year’s race, see if you can beat your previous bike split. Or try to stay within 2’ of crazy Phil, the ex-Belgian pro road racer. Yes, the Bike leg is only 1 part of the whole triathlon conundrum but it’s a “training race” remember. On the other hand, you and your coach might be working on your cycling but aren’t to the point where you want to throw down yet. Instead, focusing on your swim and/or run might be better, and your bike leg may be time to focus on being efficient and not extending yourself too far trying to break the sound barrier on the fast decent coming into T2.
   
   
3. Gain Experience: Learn. A training race is a prime opportunity to learn about yourself, your competition, your preparation, your fueling plan, your equipment, your warm up (or there lack of). This is the time to see whether you run well in the wind, on the hills or the down hills. Observe how you feel after the race – do you feel like you just parted the sea or rather do you think, hanging out by the kiddy pool of Powerade and table of bananas, “Man I could have gone way harder?” The list goes on. On the big race day you can’t afford to be caught off guard by something silly. Use these training races to see what if feels like when a cross wind hits your fancy new disk wheel, or how your cool new PTS tank top and tri shorts fit in your aero position, and how much the pockets hold? Do they fit 1 or 2 cliff bars? By gaining as much experience about yourself and how your body works in a race situation you will be better prepared come the big day. This may not have you breaking any records but when the going gets tough the prepared shine trough. Anyone can post a personal best in their ideal conditions on their ideal terrain. You want a personal best under any condition, on any terrain, on any day you decide to go for it.

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