CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Restless for some action now the tri season is over? Duathlon won’t cut it? Then check out these six adrenaline-fuelled adventure sports designed to add thrills and spills to your off-season

As the triathlon season comes to an end, it’s easy to find yourself in a bit of a slump, unsure how to keep busy through the off-season. Of course, friends will tell us to put our feet up or get down to the pub. But the inner-competitive demon in us needs to find a way to keep fit for next year.

Just like skiers look forward to the onset of winter, endurance athletes should be embracing the chance to get outside and have fun. If it’s dark, grab a head torch or put a powerful light on your mountain bike. If it’s muddy, get some trail-running shoes. If it’s cold, put a warm top on. If it’s raining, grab a Gore-Tex jacket. There’s no reason whatsoever that we can’t fuel our passion throughout these cold, sometimes wet, but always refreshing months.

We’ve chosen six sports that all offer something different, yet simultaneously complement a triathlete’s off-season training programme. And because we all like to have a goal and love kit, we’ve also listed some events that will give you a focus over the next few months. Whether it’s trail running in the dark dressed in tweed, taking part in a cyclocross event, getting muddy at an obstacle course race, honing your navigation in an adventure race, careering downhill on a mountain bike or joining your local club and taking part in a cross-country race – these are just a taster of what’s out there. All you have to do is get outside!