ASC FITNESS: MY TOP 10 DOS AND DONTS FOR TRIATHLONS!

This past weekend, I participated in the Loma Linda University Health PossAbilities Triathlon! PossAbilities is a free, nonprofit, community outreach program operated by Loma Linda University Health, with a common goal of providing individuals with permanent physical disabilities support and resources to stay active and healthy in life. People of diverse disabilities are highlighted and encouraged, and proceeds from the race and entrance fees help support that initiative. Visit their website here to get involved!The triathlon consisted of three parts: a 5K run, 11 miles of biking, and a 150 yard swim, respectively. With a few months of consistent preparation, planning and a little  determination, I was able to finish the race in just under two hours at 01:57:29....not to shabby for a beginner. Now that I've done it, I've gotten some questions on what I did, and what were my strategies for the race. So, below I'll share my top 10 Dos and Donts when preparing for a triathlon. I hope this helps and motivates you on your own fitness journey!DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, physical trainer, or therapist. All advice given here is my own and is to be used with personal individual discretion and guidance from a physician, especially if you have any physical complications. Now that we've established that....DO:1. DO PREPARE!!There is nothing more important when participating in any physical conquest in my opinion than preparation. For me, preparation included working out consistently, purchasing the race ticket, renting a bike, eating well, sleeping well, being aware of physical limitations, and things of that nature. Cam Newton's father always said, "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance," and it's true! Do your research...it will pay off in the end.2. DO INVESTPhysical fitness is something I value, and so I did not mind investing in a few things to make my race a successful one. Now, financing this endeavor also goes hand in hand with the planning, so make sure to allocate your funds accordingly. When purchasing fitness gear, buying cheap is not the way to go, as it may very well result in injury due to poor quality materials.3. DO PURCHASE PROPER EQUIPMENTAs a medical professional, one of your tools may be a stethoscope. However, you wouldn't be caught dead purchasing a plastic stethoscope from the dollar store to bring to work, would you? The same concept goes with physical fitness and training. Unfortunately I had to learn some of this the hard way, but eventually discovered that a little more buck equals less injury and longer shelf-life. I ended up buying quite a bit of materials for this Tri, but all are things I would definitely use again. Stay tuned for my upcoming blogpost with all of the products I recommend for Triathlons and working out in general! 4. DO ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT WORKOUT PLANWe all know working out is hard. Then add working out consistently? Get out of here! But any physical fitness expert will tell you that consistency is key. Preparing for this triathlon was no different. On your own journey, however, remember to start small, and with a doable routine. When I first started training, I walked about a mile once a day. Then I started running the mile. Eventually I added cycling once a week. Then I turned my Sundays into 5K distance Sundays, where I ran at least a 5K distance every Sunday. By the month of April, my workout regimen included the following schedule:Sunday: 5K distanceMonday: 2 mile run, followed by cycling class for 1 hr, followed by at least 75 yards in the pool.Tuesday: High intensity 1 hour cardio class called BATS (buns, abs, and thighs) followed by weight training workoutWednesday: Warm-up run, followed by cycling for 1 hrThursday: BATS class and weight training Friday: 300 yard swim in poolSaturday: Rest Day!NOTE: I did not start here, and this came gradually. But you can get there!5. DO ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!Enjoy the process. Every day was not a good day, and some days I skipped workouts. But never give up! Get back in the saddle if you fall down. DON'TS:1. DON'T PROCRASTINATEOne of my weakest areas was the bike. This is because I didn't have the proper bike until the day before the race. If you can avoid these types of mishaps, they will save you a great deal in the end. Also, if you need a great bike to rent, shout out to Don's Bicycles....they were awesome! 2. DON'T SELF-DISCOURAGEDon't down yourself. When I first mounted my rented bike, with less than 24 hours until the actual race, I began doubting myself. My quads were tired, I had finally learned that there would be a huge hill on the course I knew I wasn't prepared for, and I began negating all the preparation I had done for the race. Don't do this! Stay confident in your preparation, and if you have to, there's no shame in walking your bike for a little bit....I did! The takeaway is better preparation for the next time.3. DON'T FOCUS ON OTHERSThe only physical fitness you should be concerned with is you. When the 5K began, many people flew by me, racing each other for first. I was tempted to follow them but didn't, and to my surprise I passed many of them later! The moral of the story is to run your own race. Whether fast or slow, the goal is the same: FINISH!!4. DON'T GIVE UPCliche, yes, but true! Keep pressing to the finish line! I felt like drowning halfway through the 150 yrds in the pool, but I was determined not to give up so close to the finish. Don't give up...not in fitness, not in life!5. DON'T STOP GROWINGWould I do it all again? Absolutely. Would I do it the same? Not at all. My personal goal is to become better and better, and whether it's examine the things I did properly or improperly, the end game is still the same; never stop growing!! Learn from every experience, whether negative or positive.Well folks, I hope this inspired you to greater physical fitness on a random Wednesday, wherever you are. Next up? The Mud Run 5K in two weeks! Also stay tuned for deets on all the items I found helpful for the race. Happy Wednesday!To life, liberty, and the pursuit of healthiness! -AB