So many budding triathletes dive into training without thinking about what they actually wish to accomplish. Sure they know they want to finish, but without concrete goals that are attainable, the physical training they invest in will not take the direction necessary for success. Pay attention to the mental side of the sport, especially to the thoughts you need to have before even beginning. Thus, before you embark on your training season, take the time to honestly reflect on your vision for what you want to achieve.

To start, assess where you are right now, and then consider where you want to go. Once you have established those, set a series of smaller steps that you can logically and efficiently follow to achieve that success. Finally, before putting anything into play, evaluate the current state of your life. Can you incorporate the training and the goals into your lifestyle? If you can, then get to work as soon as possible. If you cannot, then revisit your goals, revise them to suit your life, and then begin. Remember that half the battle is actually starting.

Now you can get down to defining your goals, which should always be exact and attainable. For example, set specific dates or distances that you can possibly reach, and make sure that you involve yourself personally—this is very important for you. For example, sign up for the race, don't just talk about it. The reality of it will push you to train. Never give yourself the option to quit.

Then, once a plan has been determined, write it all down in clear steps, and make sure to record your progress along the way. Utilizing a training journal will let you reflect each day on what worked, what hurt, and what needs revision. Make any required adjustments as your training goes, and, in the end, you will see that a defined plan will provide you with a true sense of accomplishment, especially when you run across that finish line.

Most people put a load of time and effort into finding the perfect running shoe; however, not nearly as many pay close enough attention to the barrier they plan on placing between their beloved feet and the expensive new sneakers. Selecting the right socks, ones that not only fit your feet well, but also can perform under pressure, will save you hours of blistery pain and frustration.

Just reaching deep down into your sock drawer to grab whatever is clean can be fatal. Inevitably, your heels will rub themselves raw and the sides of your toes will burn. Compound the flawed choice in sock with tough conditions—rain, mud, snow—and you have created a recipe for skin disaster that can put a quick stop to your training.

So, knowing that your choice of socks is critical, consider the following ideas to ensure comfort:

*Choose a synthetic-based sock, primarily made from polyester, which will wick away moisture and not scratch away at your feet. Running in traditional cotton socks is a practice long gone. Cotton absorbs and retains moisture, making the sock ill-fitting and cumbersome, which leads to irritation and blistering.

*Select the proper size sock. A slim-fitting sock of appropriate height that fully covers the foot and Achilles heel will provide sufficient coverage and protection. Conversely, socks that are too big will bunch up and rub against your skin, and ones that are too small will permit the shoe to rub on the ankle, both resulting in chaffing and blistering.

*Try the socks on with your running shoes. Just reading the package or trying them on without putting them in a shoe is sentencing your feet to death. To properly judge a sock's thickness, put it on and then lace up your running shoe. Feel if it is too constricting, and notice the parts that have additional padding. Most socks purchased these days are thin and snug, so try those first.

In the end, if your socks feel wrong, change them. Take care of your feet so they can take care of you.

The swim portion of any triathlon often represents the most challenging one, for most triathletes are bikers or runners who must learn to swim. Diving into ocean or lake water with countless bodies surrounding you, all splashing about while trying to find open space, can intimidate even the most seasoned swimmer. However, like in any other sport, if you have the proper equipment, managing the stress of competition becomes that much easier.

Originally intended to keep a triathlete's body warm in cold water—open water swims, unlike regulated pools, often have temperatures ranging from 63 to 74 degrees, the wetsuit has evolved into more than just temperature assistance.

Most swimmers appreciate that a wetsuit makes them more buoyant, especially in salt water. Therefore, they keep their hips higher, which allow the shoulders and head to remain in a good position. Also, with the buoyancy and improved form comes a faster, more "slippery" swim. In fact, the average wetsuit cuts 10 meters off every 100 meters, thus reducing the work rate the swimmer invests and the time he accumulates.

Although wetsuits can be expensive, with most quality ones running between $200 and $400, but if properly cared for the suit will last a lifetime. Selecting the best one for you is a matter of preference, with styles ranging from full and half suits to sleeveless and two-piece models.

Make sure you consider two key aspects when choosing a wetsuit. First, it must give you good range of motion, particularly in the shoulders. Second, it needs to be easy to get off, so be sure it has a long back zipper you can grab easily. The last thing you want is to come out of the water, tired from a long swim, and have to wrestle a suit off before jumping on your bike.

Overall, a wetsuit is a great investment that will enhance your swim tremendously. Take the time to find the best one for you, and care for it well; you'll get years of competitive enjoyment if you do.

Often times, when a person attempts to find the perfect shoe, he finds himself either staring at a wall full of endless sneakers that all seem to look alike, or he pages from link to link on the web, all the while unable to figure out what is what. At long last, once a shoe has been chosen, he feels his toe box to make sure he can wiggle, and he stands up to see if his heel slides too much. Yet rarely does a buyer think about the part of the shoe that is the most important: the midsole.

While it does not seem to do too much, being in the middle and all, the midsole performs several critical functions that allow for an injury-free run. First, the midsole absorbs almost three times the force of your body weight at impact, thus making your foot strike much less hurtful than it could be. Second, it provides you with a rebound effect, with the shoe pushing off the ground in response to the impact, thus helping to propel you forward into the next stride. Next, the midsole actually helps to provide additional stability if you suffer from over-pronation. And finally, it disallows your foot from feeling most sharp or blunt objects, such as rocks, shells, or sticks, you encounter while running. Overall, it plays a pretty major role in the success and enjoyment in running, so giving it some attention is a good idea.

Generally, the midsole represents the most durable part of the shoe, as the front and side portions will often wear sooner. Being thicker and more pronounced, the midsole has the cushioning and stability to weather the stress each mile puts on the shoe, thus it does not show its age as rapidly. Yet do not be fooled into believing it performs no great function by its tough exterior and steadfast resistance. It may not be the most exciting consideration, and it may not look too cool, but it will give you the correct production if you take the time to learn about what it can do. Best of luck!

The three time XTERRA winners, the "Caveman" and the "Queen" – Conrad Stoltz and Melanie McQuaid were at the Zappos.com running expo representing their sponsor, Avia, and having fun around the headquarters.

Jumping online to purchase a pair of running sneakers may sound simple enough, but there exist some important questions to consider before you make your final decision. While ideas such as size, make, and color are important to all buyers, considering what you need, what you plan to do, and how you want to do it should dictate your final decision. With a little time and thought, you can find the perfect running shoe.

First, think about how long you have been running. Do you really need that specific training shoe worn by the world's elite athletes, or do you require something more refined to get you started? Be simple and prudent.

Next, ask yourself how much mileage you plan on doing in a given week. High mileage shoes will offer different types of support to accommodate for the heavy training whereas racing-style shoes will be streamlined to enhance your competitive time.

Then reflect on where you do most of your running. Do you plan on hitting the roads endlessly or training on grass and trails? Differences exist when buying road sneakers versus trail shoes, so choose wisely. Buying thicker trail shoes and running a marathon in them could be a serious mistake. Likewise, attempting to run rocky trails in thinner, road-specific sneakers will cause almost certain injury.

Finally, consider if you have any foot problems. Are you an over-pronater, an under-pronater? Do you suffer from flat feet? Do you have especially wide feet? Think about your experiences with other shoes and how your feet responded and why.

Knowing the answers to these questions will let you make an informed decision that will result in you getting the most for your money. In the end, you will own a pair of shoes that are right for you, which will let you enjoy your daily training more than you ever thought you could.