The Best Triathlon Advice We've Ever Heard

Written by
Michael Nystrom
In the words of three-time IRONMAN World Champion Craig Alexander, “If someone tells you, ‘if you stand on your head and eat 28 jellybeans, it’ll make you go quicker,’ people would do it.”

While this jellybean technique is not exactly sound advice, Crowie makes a valid point. In such a specialized and performance-driven sport, triathletes are always looking for an edge. No matter if you’ve completed six IRONMANs or are tackling your first sprint, we could all use a little extra advice.

We asked triathletes with varying levels of expertise for the best advice they’ve ever received, and here are the top responses.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
1 of 36
Submitted by Rebecca Dobbins
Find:
Your Next Race
Don't panic.
1 of 36
Submitted by Tonya Zalenski
Find:
Your Next Race
Practice transitions.
1 of 36
Submitted by Shawn Jaffo
Find:
Your Next Race
Transition isn't a vacation. The clock keeps ticking...
1 of 36
Submitted by Eric Koenigs
Find:
Your Next Race
You don't train to avoid the pain on race day, you train to endure the pain on race day.
1 of 36
Submitted by Houston Landry
Find:
Your Next Race
Look good. Feel good. Race good.
1 of 36
Submitted by Eric Koenigs
Find:
Your Next Race
It's about the finish not the time.
1 of 36
Submitted by Kimberly LM
Find:
Your Next Race
Enjoy the fact that you are able to do this. Go be awesome.
1 of 36
Submitted by Sean Walsh
Find:
Your Next Race
On the swim, if you get in trouble, hold your nose, sink to the bottom and run like hell!
1 of 36
Submitted by John Zabojnik
Find:
Your Next Race
Less is best! The less stuff, the better.
1 of 36
Submitted by Dysana Lee
Find:
Your Next Race
The M-dot is earned on all the countless training days. Race day is graduation day, so enjoy the ceremony.
1 of 36
Submitted by Eric Koenigs
Find:
Your Next Race
Never ever ever try anything new on race day, especially nutrition. Stick to your routine.
1 of 36
Submitted by Simon Winn
Find:
Your Next Race
Don't get naked in transition.
1 of 36
Submitted by Kaila Konecki
Find:
Your Next Race
Three rules: 1. Don't die. 2. Finish. 3. Don't finish last!
1 of 36
Submitted by Steven Henry
Find:
Your Next Race
DFL > DNF > DNS
1 of 36
Submitted by Elizabeth Shen
Find:
Your Next Race
Never trust a fart!
1 of 36
Submitted by Jason Aarhus
Find:
Your Next Race
Don't stop when you're tired, stop when you're done.
1 of 36
Submitted by Patrick Wingfield
Find:
Your Next Race
It's not the bike, it's the motor.
1 of 36
Submitted by Michael McClure
Find:
Your Next Race
Complete, not compete.
1 of 36
Submitted by Ashley Pea
Find:
Your Next Race
Do at least one open water swim before your first triathlon.
1 of 36
Submitted by Tom Shanahan
Find:
Your Next Race
I didn't come here to start a race, I came here to finish one.
1 of 36
Submitted by David Duffy
Find:
Your Next Race
Thank the volunteers.
1 of 36
Submitted by Michael Beasley
Find:
Your Next Race
You get what you put in. If you didn't do the miles or time, you're not going to get the results.
1 of 36
Submitted by Sean Culp
Find:
Your Next Race
Don't sweat the little things; something will not go as planned.
1 of 36
Submitted by Lance Westerlund
Find:
Your Next Race
Easy on easy days so you can go hard on hard days.
1 of 36
Submitted by David Morrell
Find:
Your Next Race
It hurts less if you smile.
1 of 36
Submitted by Jackie Kerrless
Find:
Your Next Race
Use a Porta Potty early, and if not, bring toilet paper.
1 of 36
Submitted by Duane Oser
Find:
Your Next Race
Race your own race.
1 of 36
Submitted by Thomas Eric Price
Find:
Your Next Race
Train in all types of weather because you never know what Mother Nature will bring on race day.
1 of 36
Submitted by Bridgette Jackson
Find:
Your Next Race
Enjoy the victory lap, and take your time through the finisher chute.
1 of 36
Submitted by John R Orton III
Find:
Your Next Race
Don't let your mind go crazy when you miss a workout or two.
1 of 36
Submitted by Pam McIntyre Schuckies
Find:
Your Next Race
Celebrate the finish line, not the finish time.
1 of 36
Submitted by Cary Shelstad
Find:
Your Next Race
In the first half of your race, don't be an idiot. In the second half, don't be a wimp.
1 of 36
Submitted by Natalie Sticerrific
Find:
Your Next Race
Make a plan. Work the plan. Trust the plan.
1 of 36
Submitted by Wendy Moninger O'Neill
Find:
Your Next Race
Control the controllable.
1 of 36
Submitted by Steve Williams
Find:
Your Next Race
1 of 36
Find:
Your Next Race

About the Author

More Articles by Michael »Michael Nystrom
A California native, Michael Nystrom graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's degree in journalism. He is a 2x IRONMAN and has done countless sprint- and olympic-distance triathlons. Follow Michael on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.