How to Build a Strong, Smart, and Sustainable Plan (NJ & NY Triathlon Coaching) |
| If you’re in your 40s and training for an Ironman triathlon, you’re in the perfect decade to perform at a high level — if you train intelligently. At RTA Triathlon, we have coached hundreds of age-group triathletes across New Jersey, New York, and the surrounding and beyond area who balance demanding careers, family responsibilities, and long-course goals. This stage of life requires a smarter, more strategic approach than what worked in your 20s or 30s. The good news? With the right system, athletes in their 40s often experience their fastest, strongest Ironman training cycles ever. Here’s how to build a winning framework for Ironman training for athletes in their 40s, based on what we implement with our athletes at RTA Triathlon. |
How I CRUSHED My Marathon
| I'm turning 40 in two weeks and I recently CRUSHED my first marathon in 13 years. I had BIG goals and my expectations were high and I felt like it was now or never. It's also important to note that we have two young kids, travel a lot and our weekly work schedule is never the same. Here's are my 5 takeaways from finishing the Philadelphia Marathon and going sub 3 hours for the first time (6:45/mi). |
Commitment, Patience, Perseverance & GRIT
The "journey" highlighted below belongs to Drew Cruz. It summarizes his long and patient journey to achieve his dream: qualify for and become an Ironman World Championship finisher.
We hope you find this inspirational and informative.
Why Triathlon Training Camps are Incredibly Valuable
However, not all camps are created equal.
Below we will examine what you can expect at a triathlon training camp, the differences between camps and other factors to consider when deciding which one you should attend.
| HILL REPEATS & SPECIFICITY… on the TREADMILL Even when the weather is nice, the treadmill can still be a GREAT tool to help dial in workouts in regards to specificity. For example, HILL REPEATS can be easily executed with a set time, incline and recovery which is not always easy when you’re out on the road. "OMG, that doesn't sound fun. Why would I do such a thing!?!?" Hill repeats help build sport specific strength. They will make you stronger and faster. |
Voted #1 Tri Club in Northeast
Biggest IRONMAN Triathlon Club
in New Jersey
As an RTA club member, you get to enjoy a long list of benefits. Group workouts/meet-ups and various discounts are the most obvious, but that’s just the beginning.
Team Races, post race parties, social events, and access to two full time coaches are a few other benefits. In short, RTA is here to help connect you with your Teammates and ultimately help you achieve your goals.
Below I will help you understand how you can get the most out of your RTA triathlon club membership.
How Long Will It Take Me to Prepare for My Triathlon?
However, without learning more about the individual athlete, the best answer that can be given is, “it depends.”
Obviously, this is a generic answer to a generic (yet common) question. Never the less, below I will highlight a few factors that can increase or decrease each athlete’s timeline as well as a list of a few ideas to consider when trying to determine what YOUR timeline should look like.
Rules Of The Road
Knowing the rules of the road will help keep you safer and also make you a better riding partner.
Below you will find our top 5 tips for various cycling situations, powered by our friends at Road ID.
Below we will briefly discuss what your core is and how you can make it a part of your weekly training routine. At the very bottom, you’ll find a video with a few exercises to get you started.
When you have accountability, you’re much more likely to stay on track and achieve your goals.
The fall and early winter are a great time of year to start planning for next season. Races are beginning to open up and many popular races sell out FAST.
Below I will outline a simple, but effective, approach to set yourself up for a super successful year.
Below, I’m going to save you YEARS of learning and “figuring things out” and tell you exactly what to do.
Over the last 10 years of coaching, we have in fact learned a lot from our athletes. Everything I’m going to share with you is based on what we have seen the most successful people DO over the years.
Below, I’m going to offer 6 ways you can make the most of your time training in the open water.
Whether you are a little intimidated by swimming in the open water or if you simply haven’t been in the open water for a while, I’m going to start by offering steps to (re)acclimatize to the open water and then follow it up with additional ideas to consider whether you’re a total beginner or a more experienced triathlete.
With the explosion of smart trainers and training environments like Zwift, Rouvy, The Sufferfest (and others) indoor riding has never been better. Even those who were completely against riding the trainer, now find it tolerable and in some cases fun.
I’m not suggesting you ride inside all of the time, although some of the best professional IRONMAN athletes do, but I’d like to explain why at least occasionally it is a good idea.
Unless you have unlimited time or don’t mind getting dropped on group rides or posting an embarrassing bike split, having a bike trainer is invaluable.
Whether you already ride inside or can’t stomach the idea of it, there is absolutely a time and place for a bike trainer. Below I will discuss 6 reasons why indoor riding is a no brainer.
Obviously, bike trainers in general, allow for workout efficiency and specificity… not to mention shelter from crappy weather. If you don’t have one, I would recommend one.
Smart trainers, however, add some serious additional value to the idea of riding inside.
Below we will discuss how you can maximize your training and race readiness using the time you have available. It’s actually pretty simple.
So, do you know the difference between training for something versus simply exercising?
This can be applied to ANYTHING, but we get it all the time. “Can I do it?” “IT” can be WHATEVER.
Here’s our response…
We regularly get the question, “What and how long will it take… for me to learn how to swim (or improve my current swimming ability)?”
To help answer this question, we thought it would be fun to highlight one particular athlete whom we have been working with most recently. We’ll discuss the stroke improvements made, speed gains earned and the time it took to accomplish this.
Below I’m going explain what this all means as well as the importance of prioritizing races for your upcoming season.
However you want to describe it – it likely adds some unwelcome tension and stress to your life and today I’m here to offer a couple suggestions to help manage this and help you feel better.
Categories
All
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BEGINNER
BIKE
Cross Training
Mental Fitness
Notes From Coach
Nutrition
Racing
Recovery
RTA Virtual Rides
RUN
Strength & Conditioning
SUCCESS
SWIM
Team Challenge
TEAM RACES
Team RTA
TRAINING
WEBINARS
Women In Triathlon
Archives
November 2025
October 2025
September 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
September 2023
June 2023
May 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
August 2022
June 2022
March 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
September 2021
June 2021
May 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
January 2018
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
July 2016
June 2016
January 2016
September 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
August 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
February 2014
January 2013
RSS Feed