Strategies for improving endurance in all three disciplines - whats the bare minimum I need to do to not completely embarrass myself in a local triathlon. Im not looking for some magic bullet or a 10-week plan thats going to turn me into a pro, I just want to know the most basic, fundamental things I need to do to build up my endurance in cycling, running, and swimming.
Ive seen so many posts on here about the importance of periodization, and how you need to be doing specific workouts at specific times of the year, and how you need to be tracking your HRV and your power output and all that jazz. And yeah, I get it, thats all well and good if youre a pro or youre trying to win a national championship. But what about the rest of us? What about the people who just want to be able to finish a triathlon without dying?
Im not looking for some complicated, nuanced answer thats going to require me to read a 500-page book or watch a 10-hour video series. I just want to know the basics. What are the most important things I need to do to build up my endurance in each discipline? What are the biggest mistakes that beginners make, and how can I avoid them?
And lets be real, Im not looking for any of that just get out there and ride/run/swim and youll get better nonsense. I know thats not true. I know that if I just go out and ride my bike 10 miles a day, Im not going to magically become a good cyclist. I need specific, actionable advice that I can use to improve my endurance.
So, whats the bare minimum I need to do to not completely embarrass myself in a local triathlon? What are the most basic, fundamental things I need to do to build up my endurance in cycling, running, and swimming?