Training Smarter, Not Harder: Lessons for Triathletes from Elite Norwegian Coaches
- Alex Sharp
- Jul 22
- 2 min read
As triathletes, we’re always looking for ways to train smarter across swim, bike, and run. A recent video by performance coach Steve Magness caught my attention. He broke down insights from a study on elite Norwegian endurance coaches—coaches who work with world-class athletes in triathlon, running, and cross-country skiing.
What stood out? Their philosophy aligns perfectly with what we emphasize here at NVDM Coaching: consistent, low-intensity work as the foundation, and smart intensity layered in with intention.
The Big Takeaway: Easy Training Is the Engine
One of the clearest themes from these top coaches? 80–90% of training is done at an easy intensity.
For triathletes, that’s a game-changer. We’re constantly spreading our energy across three sports. Trying to go hard in every session isn’t just unsustainable—it’s a shortcut to burnout.
Easy training, often in Zone 1 or low Zone 2, builds your aerobic engine. This is your long, steady bike ride. Your relaxed endurance run. Your smooth, controlled swim. These sessions might not feel flashy, but they drive the biggest gains in durability, efficiency, and long-term performance.
When You Go Hard, Make It Count
Easy doesn’t mean lazy. Elite athletes still push hard, just strategically. Most follow a structure with 2–3 hard sessions per week, spaced with intention.
For us, that might look like:
A focused interval run on Tuesday
A strong threshold ride on Thursday
Some quality efforts in the pool on Saturday
The key is quality over quantity. These hard sessions serve a clear purpose. They’re targeted, recoverable, and designed to create specific adaptations, not leave you wrecked.
Health Is the Foundation
The Norwegian coaches also emphasize something we value deeply at NVDM: training is more than the workout itself.
1. Periodization Matters
Training builds in phases—starting with volume and aerobic development, then sharpening into race-specific work. As triathletes, this means we need to think across disciplines and seasons, not just workouts.
2. Individualization Is Everything
No two athletes are the same. Your background, physiology, and lifestyle all shape how you respond to training. That’s why our coaching is personalized—because cookie-cutter plans don’t cut it.
3. Recovery Is Training
More isn’t always better. Balancing training stress with recovery is critical, especially when you’re managing a high training load across three sports. And recovery isn’t just rest days. It’s sleep. Nutrition. Managing life stress. Without recovery, training breaks you down instead of building you up.
4. Every Session Has a Purpose
Know the why behind your workouts. Whether it’s an easy aerobic run or a bike threshold set, purpose brings clarity, and clarity brings better execution.
Final Thought: Stay Consistent, Stay Intentional
With so many training fads out there, it’s easy to chase complexity. But what these world-class coaches show is that the fundamentals still win: easy training done consistently, and hard training done purposefully.
So, here’s your challenge:
Think about your training over the past few weeks.
Are your easy sessions truly easy? Are your hard efforts truly hard—and smartly placed?
Are you making space for recovery with the same care as you plan your intervals?
Let’s keep showing up with intention. We’re in this together.
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