2020 was the year RTA coached athlete, Ryan Astrup, planned to become an “IRONMAN.” He had planned to race the iconic IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon in July. This race consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. In one day. With no breaks. For those counting, that’s 140.6 miles in total. Due to the global pandemic, this triathlon was eventually postponed and finally canceled.

However, that would NOT prevent Ryan from achieving his goal.

We first met Brian Moran and his buddy Rob on the day of IRONMAN Lake Placid in 2015.

After talking to them for a couple minutes we quickly learned they were looking to get into triathlon and were hoping to do their first IRONMAN the following year in Lake Placid.

We tried to discourage them from doing an IRONMAN in their first year of triathlon, but they insisted. We gave them our card, parted ways and didn’t expect to hear from them again.

A few days later we received a phone call and the rest is history. After all, anything is possible.

Bob Brown is like most of the people we coach. He’s a family man, has a successful career and he is goal oriented. He is the classic, “over achiever,” who decides what he wants and figures out how to go and get it. Perhaps you can relate.

This was the year Bob wanted to break into triathlon. However, he didn’t want to “just do a sprint” triathlon.  He wanted to do a half IRONMAN or 70.3.

“I like signing up for things that are way out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to get them done,” Bob told us. “I constantly preach to my kids that they can do anything they want if they try. And I try to lead by example.”  We can DEFINITELY respect that!

Meet Jim Hollentein. RTA triathlon club member and super nice guy.

10 years ago a friend asked Jim if I wanted to do a triathlon. He had run a few 5k’s and done a couple mountain bike races so it sounded doable, but he needed to learn how to swim. Nearly EVERYONE looking to get into triathlon has to learn how to swim!

The next day he went to the pool and couldn’t swim 25 yards. Following that first experience, he thought completing a triathlon was going to be IMPOSSIBLE.

That’s when the triathlon journey began.

Do you want to know how to become the very best triathlete you can possibly be? Being a successful triathlete can largely be attributed to your commitment and discipline as long as you’re doing the “right things,” that is.

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.

Please join us LIVE for coffee (virtually) on Tuesday, 7/28 @ 8:30am for Part 2 of our 2 part Running webinar series as we discuss how to “Run Mechanics for Speed & Injury Prevention.” This is perfect for total beginners and experienced runners alike.

Free webinar

Did you know that you get stronger and fitter in periods of recovery?

Yes, it’s true.

However, despite the fact that recovery is one of the biggest pieces to the the fitness puzzle, amateur athletes (runners, triathletes, cross fitters and everything in between) don’t take it very seriously.

Next to quality sleep (the MOST important part of recovery), stretching should be incorporated into your daily and weekly routine. Below we will discuss why this is so important and also share a few of our favorite stretches for triathletes and runners.

Following the initial thrill and uniqueness of swimming in the open water, the idea of simply putting your head down and swimming can become boring. And perhaps more importantly, doing this on a regular basis, won’t really aid in your training progression. Outside of pure enjoyment, it can become a waste of time.

Below, I’m going to offer 6 ways you can make the most of your time training in the open water.

Are you just getting back into swimming and thinking of making your return to open water? Well, if you haven’t swam in a while, I definitely recommend getting in the pool first – before making a splash in the open water. This is mostly because the pool is a much more controlled environment. However, I realize this is not always possible.

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.

If you’re a triathlete or cyclist, indoor riding on a bike trainer is a no brainer. This is especially true if you live in a place that it is difficult to ride outside year round AND you are training for something.

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.

Ready to get back into swimming? Returning to the pool following an extended break can be exciting, but also daunting.

Whether it was “forced” time away or on your own terms, here are 5 things you should consider as you hop back in.

Athletes regularly have to reframe their goals. This can be for a variety of reasons, but today we’re going talk about how you can use “forced” extra time to become a better cyclist.

Please join us LIVE for coffee (virtually) on Tuesday, 6/30 @ 8:30am for Part 1 of our 2 part Running webinar series as we discuss how to “Train Smart & Avoid Injury.” This is perfect for total beginners and experienced runners alike.

Free webinar

Recently, smart trainers, as shown here, have been blowing up!

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.

We had our first “Team Race” of the year on Sunday and it was a TOTAL HIT. Obviously, our first race wasn’t the JerseyMan Tri as originally planned, but it was, no doubt, very special in it’s own way.

While there are lots and lots of virtual race options “these days,” Sunday’s virtual Team Race was SPECIAL and a TON OF FUN!

CONGRATS to everyone who participated!

I think most of us can agree, time is our most valuable asset. We only have so much of it and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Training specificity is the key to maximize your time available to train.

Below we will discuss how you can maximize your training and race readiness using the time you have available. It’s actually pretty simple.

If you’re new to triathlon, you may be asking yourself, should I buy a road bike or a tri bike. We get this question all of the time.

Commitment and Perseverance

Rohit Sharma first connected with us in November of 2018. He was brand new to the world of triathlon (i.e. had not yet completed a triathlon). However, despite not knowing how to swim, he had his eyes set on IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City the following September. The table for his triathlon journey was set.

Finishing a half IRONMAN in your first year in triathlon is a HUGE goal, but it can be done if the athlete is committed. Fortunately, Rohit was 100% committed to his triathlon training and we had 10 months to help prepare him.

Time to get to work!

Many people new to triathlon or running or cycling often think they are training for their goal event, but in actuality they’re really just doing a lot of exercising.

So, do you know the difference between training for something versus simply exercising?

Can I do a triathlon? Can I finish the IRONMAN®? Can I run a MARATHON? Can I learn how to swim, bike or run FASTER?

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…

Becoming a better swimmer is a process. It takes time and it usually doesn’t happen over night. However, there are definitely a few ways to speed up the process.

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.

This is the time of year many of us get to put our fitness to the test and race. Unfortunately, it seems like each day another race is being canceled or postponed. Or maybe you’re injured.

Regardless, instead of letting this drive you nuts, it’s time to take control and REFRAME YOUR GOALS. Use this “forced extra time” to your advantage.

With every CHALLENGE, comes OPPORTUNITY – in sport and life in general. Despite the current chaos, we are open for business and here to help you.

While area fitness facilities and pools are currently closed indefinitely due to COVID-19 / Corona Virus, we want you to know that RTA Triathlon is open for business and we want to help you. As a predominantly online service provider we can keep you (or get you) fit, healthy and on track to crush your future goals. THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

Get in shape (or stay in shape) by joining the Community Support Virtual 5k. Heck, why not get the entire family involved?!?

Included with your registration is a “couch to 5K” 12 week training program. The program will guide you and keep you accountable.

Don’t need the training program? No problem. Think of your registration for the Virtual 5k as your pledge to support your community against COVID-19 / Corona Virus.

Tommy Nolan was inspired to do a triathlon after watching his sister do the Jersey Girl Tri in August of 2012. The only problem was, he didn’t really know how to swim very well… Oh, and his ultimate DREAM was to do IRONMAN Lake Placid. Minor details. :)