Training State-to-State

Training State-to-State

The US is packed with some fantastic swim, bike and run locations waiting for you to explore. Offering a variety of picturesque swim locations or challenging bike and run routes, you’re spoilt for choice.

We have highlighted some of the fantastic training locations and events across the states that you can visit to break up the monotony of training schedules.

Boulder, Colorado

Recognised as the triathlon capital of the US, you won’t have to look too far before you spot an equally sweaty triathlete running past you on their early morning ‘light marathon’ jog. But seriously, Boulder presents many opportunities for triathletes seeking to make improvements on their swim, bike, and run. Home to a high concentration of top coaches, it’s a very popular training location amongst many elite triathletes too.

Located in the Boulder Valley, the unique geography means that Boulder offers a mixture of flat, undulating, and epic climbs for your bike training. A popular riding route is up Boulder’s Flagstaff Mountain, totalling around 2,000 feet of elevation across just 5 miles, making it a challenging test for even the most accomplished riders. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a slightly smaller test then there’s plenty more routes with gentler climbs where you can take in some of Boulder’s magnificent mountain views.

Boulder is a popular spot amongst many of the world’s best runners too. Once again, its geography makes it an ideal location for athletes taking on some altitude training. If you’re looking to peak just before race day, then altitude training has several performance related benefits attached to it. The famous Magnolia Road should definitely be a bucket list activity for all runners, stretching 8 miles at an altitude higher than 8,000 feet!

Boulder hosts some great events including both IM Boulder and IM 70.3 Boulder. In addition to this being a great place to qualify for IM and 70.3 World Championships, races in Boulder are a unique event with the altitude factor, making them a good race to add to the calendar.

California

Best For: Open Water Swimming

The home state of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, California is on its way to becoming a mecca for sport. Ample opportunities for swim, bike and run enthusiasts makes it a brilliant location for in or out of season training.

There is a vast array of options for your swim training. Brush up on your technique, pace and T1 with a wide selection of outdoor swimming pools or miles upon miles of beaches. In the wintertime the pacific water temperature can sit on the chilly side, making it an ideal location to practice your wetsuit swims during the off-season.  

California also holds an iconic place in triathlon history, hosting the first ever triathlon on Fiesta Island, way back in 1974. Here you can practice your time trialling on the bike at the famous Fiesta Island Time Trial route.  

California plays host to several amazing triathlon events. Not many more awesome than the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon, which involves an extremely unique start, as seen in the image here. The race starts with a plunge from the famous San Francisco Belle into the icy cold water surrounding Alcatraz Island. Put that on your bucket list!

Tuscon, Arizona

Best For: Bike and Run (Sunshine)

Tuscon is a favourite training location amongst triathletes, offering plenty of challenging and scenic terrain to inspire you whilst you’re out on your long rides and runs. This is a popular training location in the wintertime and off-season, particularly as the almost guaranteed sunny weather won’t interfere too much with your training plans. One of its most popular routes is the 19 mile climb up Mount Lemmon at 8,000 feet.

Saint George, Utah

Best For:

Saint George’s red rock trails are set up beautifully for triathletes looking to improve on their bike and run. From flat to climbing routes, Saint George has become a really popular training destination amongst elite triathletes. Its small population offers further benefits to triathletes because of the quiet roads and lack of traffic hindering your training. Moreover, this may be a great place to come to get yourself familiar with the course and conditions if you’ve qualified for the IM 70.3 Triathlon that takes place here every May.

 

 

There you have it! A quick insight into some of the top triathlon training locations across the US. Take your training over to some of these fantastic training locations if you ever find yourself needing to shake things up a bit.

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