Balancing Triathlon Training with Life: How to Fit It All In

vkuhn0692
Dec 10, 2025
2 min read

One of the biggest misconceptions about starting triathlon is that you need endless hours each week to train (unless you’re doing long course races). For most of us, that’s just not reality. We’re working full-time jobs, managing relationships, traveling, socializing, and trying to have a life somewhere in the middle of it all.

So the real challenge isn’t the training itself — it’s fitting that training into a very full life. Over the years, I’ve learned that triathlon can absolutely coexist with work and “real life,” but only if you’re intentional about how you structure your time.

Start With a Realistic Training Load

There’s no one-size-fits-all training plan — especially if you’re not a full-time athlete.

During base and build phases, my training typically falls between 8–12 hours a week, sometimes creeping higher during peak season. That’s plenty to stay competitive in age-group racing without sacrificing the rest of my life.

If your weekly schedule isn’t compatible with high-volume training, that’s okay. Most amateur triathletes perform best by being consistent, not by cramming in huge hours.

The trick: choose a training volume you can sustain on your busiest weeks, not just your ideal ones.

Schedule & Prioritize

My training exists because it’s in my calendar (well…technically my notes app). I schedule my general workouts each week so I can plan around what I need to and make sure I’m doing what I need training-wise. If I see it visually, I’m far more likely to follow through.

Personally, I am almost exclusively a morning workout person. Evenings get unpredictable between energy level, motivation, commitments…however, you do whatever is best for you!

Some days, the question isn’t “When can I train?” but “What matters most today?”. Give yourself grace and prioritize what you need.

Protect Your Rest Like You Protect Your Training

It’s tempting to use rest days as “catch-up days,” but the body doesn’t work like that. Rest days are the reason I can keep training — not a sign of weakness or laziness.

I try to keep at least one day per week completely off or extremely light, and I go to bed early whenever possible (even if it means saying no to late-night plans now and then).

Remember: Triathlon Should Enhance Your Life, Not Replace It

Ultimately, triathlon is something we choose. It should add meaning, energy, and excitement — not take away from everything else.

Balancing training with life isn’t about doing it all perfectly. It’s about finding the rhythm that works for you, your schedule, and your long-term goals.

Some weeks I feel dialed in. Others feel like chaos. But I keep showing up, because this sport makes me better — inside and outside the race course.