What Is Prime Triathlon?

I define Prime Triathlon, as “performing at a consistently high level under the most challenging conditions.” There are two essential words in this definition. The first key word is, “consistently.” I’m not interested if a triathlete can have a great swim leg, but poor riding and running legs or one outstanding race and a bunch of poor races. That is not enough to be truly successful. I want triathletes to be able to perform in training and races at a consistently high level day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out. Prime Triathlon means performing at a high level with only minimal ups and downs instead of the large swings in performance that are so common among triathletes. The second key word is, “challenging.” What makes the great triathletes successful is their ability to perform their best under the worst possible conditions against tough competition when they’re not performing their best. Rough, cold water on the swim and headwind and hills on the ride and run are some of the most familiar difficult conditions triathletes encounter.

Where does Prime Triathlon come from? Though I focus on its mental contributors, the mind is only one necessary part of Prime Triathlon. You must also be at a high level of physical health including being well-conditioned, well-rested, eating a balanced diet, and free from injury and illness. Prime Triathlon is also not possible if you’re not technically sound. Your technical skills must be well-learned and your tactics must be in place.

Let me describe some of the common experiences of Prime Triathlon. First, Prime Triathlon is effortless. Though no triathlon is easy, the overall experience of Prime Triathlon is surprisingly comfortable and natural. You don’t seem to have to try to do anything. Everything just flows. Prime Triathlon is also automatic. There’s little thought. The body does what it knows how to do and there’s no mental interference getting in the way. You also experience sharpened senses. You see, hear, and feel everything more acutely than normal. Prime Triathlon also has effortless focus. You’re totally absorbed in the experience and are focused entirely on the process. You have no distractions or unnecessary thoughts that interfere with performing your best. You have boundless energy and your “wall” seems to be much farther off than usual. Finally, you experience what I call prime integration. Everything is working together. The physical, technical, tactical, and mental aspects of triathlon are integrated into one path to Prime Triathlon.