When he talks about his first triathlon, Jonathan Garich is characteristically modest. “It was a sprint triathlon in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2019,” he recalls. “I finished third place in my age group. I caught the bug at that point, thinking I could do much better with more than just a month’s worth of training, which is what I did for that race.” Since then, the Stuart resident has racked up an impressive record as a triathlete and Ironman competitor—including being named a USA Triathlon (USAT) All-American triathlete and competing at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2023. In addition to his own training, Garich now coaches others looking to get into the sport or improve their performance.
With the Escape to Hutchinson Island Triathlon taking place in Stuart August 10 and the Tampa General Hospital Loggerhead Triathlon set for August 22 in Jupiter, Garich offers a few tips for aspiring triathletes on how to get started.
Start Simple
“You don’t need to spend much to race a triathlon. For the swim you need a full-size or triathlon suit and goggles; for the bike you just need a bike and a helmet; and for the run you need a pair of shoes. Get the basics and if you enjoy the sport, you can upgrade.”
Sign Up to Show Up
“As soon as you sign up for a race, your mentality changes and it gives you the motivation to want to complete that event. I recommend signing up for a sprint triathlon first, which is one of the shortest distances.”
Call a Coach
For someone who has not really run, biked, or swam in the past, I recommend hiring a coach, so you are getting to the race prepared and injury-free. I use a program called Training Peaks to create different workouts for each athlete. The athlete logs on and sees what each week of training is going to be and, if they need to modify anything, they communicate so the coach can adjust.”
Train with a Friend
“I like the idea of shared pain. The miles fly by when you have a friend, and it keeps you accountable. Groups that are highly active on social media are a good place to find people to train with.”
Have Fun
“I always stress having fun during the first race as opposed to focusing on winning. If it is a miserable experience, you are not going to want to do it again.”
Race Ready
Garich shares his tried-and-true triathlon finds
This premium GPS smartwatch delivers advanced training metrics, recovery insights, built-in maps, and multisport tracking. Garich calls it “a must for recording your training.”
This lightweight headband uses cooling technology to help regulate temperature during training sessions, races, and high-heat workouts. “The graphite absorbs heat away from your head, helping you to cool down,” Garich says.
With a carbon fiber plate and an ultralight feel, these are Garich’s go-tos. “I always defer to them when race day approaches or during fast run workouts,” he says.
“Kickr lets you train indoors when it is too hot, too dark, or too dangerous to ride outdoors,” Garich notes, praising the tech’s compatibility with various indoor cycling apps.
Lightweight compression fabric and breathable mesh panel help this aerodynamic tri suit stay fast and comfortable from swim to sprint finish. “It has loads of pockets for nutrition,” Garich says.
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