The 10 Things I Learned Training for the Malibu Triathlon

If you’re like me, endurance sports are not exactly exciting things to look forward to. But I got it into my head that it would be a good idea to complete a triathlon. (It probably also didn’t help that not too long ago, I had a pretty traumatic fall off a bicycle flying over the handle bars).

Here are the 10 Things I learned while Training for the Malibu Tri last year:

1. Set a Goal and Write it Down.

You’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down. If the simple step of writing it down increases your odds of achieving goals significantly, then why not?

2. Envision yourself accomplishing your goal.

Visualizing your success and what it looks like, helps you to get there. (And this tool is often utilized by many successful people).

3. Try and Try Again.

I had tried to complete a triathlon in 2020 but just couldn’t make it happen. But instead of giving up, I took smaller steps to make it happen, which leads to lesson #4.

4. Get support and accountability.

The reason I was able to successfully complete both a marathon and this triathlon is because I joined training groups. For the marathon, I joined the LA Leggers, a running group that trains in Santa Monica. This was the only way for me to complete the 20 mile training day that I would need to be ready for the 26.2 miles come race day.

For the Triathlon, I joined the LA Tri Club, a group that also trains near Santa Monica. It helped to get in a few open water ocean swims so that I’d be more accustomed to the conditions of the tri. They also have an amazing coach, Mo, who rides once a week with the club at the actual Zuma triathlon course.

5. Take things one step at a time.

I thought the whole process of overcoming my fear of biking, my discomfort in cold water, and waking up early were all daunting tasks. But when you break everything down into bite-size pieces you realize it’s manageable.

Malibu Triathlon, September 18, 2022.

6. Face down your fears.

One of the biggest obstacles of the triathlon was fortunately at the beginning of the race. Entering the ocean and facing the waves seemed daunting. The feeling of accomplishment and success, all stood on the other side of getting past those waves. Most things that are desirable are not easily attainable, which also makes them more valuable. One of my coaches from the TriClub had told us that when entering the water, we should duck down deep, grab the sand if you need to, count to 3, and then re-surface so that the wave doesn’t pull you back into the shore. After doing this a few times, I got past the break. Don’t get me wrong, the current was very choppy even farther out in the water, and my swim strokes were definitely not pretty! I’m an avid swimmer but that day it was something of a combination between a breaststroke kick, freestyle pull, anything to wade through those choppy waters.

7. Enjoy. Be Present.

While I was swimming, I looked for the finish line and thought it was impossibly far to reach. I thought the only way I would ever get through this would be to just take one stroke at a time and to enjoy the process. I had voluntarily signed up for this after all, and a thought came to me that this will be the only time that I will have done my first triathlon. That’s not to say that I’ll be doing another one, but at least there’s only one time for firsts so that was a comforting thought.

I took the time to look around me and to take it all in – the waters, the shoreline, the sun shining down on us and I thought it was an incredibly humbling experience to be a part of this event with countless volunteers and logistics that were involved in putting this together and closing down some of the lanes on the Pacific Coast Highway.

8. Stay in your lane and Focus.

Don’t worry what everyone around you is doing. Focus on yourself and can you be better than the last time you did something.

In the transition area from the swim to bike section, I was too busy looking for my friends’ bikes, wondering if they had made it out of the swim okay. Lost in thought, I had worn my running shoes without putting my shorts on top of my swimsuit! Needless to say, I lost some time here. Don’t waste time getting lost. For example, when you go to put that social media post for your business and get sidetracked for hours scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. Not good.