With four of our club members joining me for long run in the cold wind and driving rain on Sunday it wasn’t long before our minds wandered away from thoughts of spring and the upcoming race season. The topic of conversation instead turned to human anatomy and more specifically buttocks! One of the group had … Continued
Periodization allows you to divide your annual training plan into ‘periods’ or phases of training. Each period will have a different emphasis. The ‘transition’ period is a recovery period and occurs after a race and at the end of the season. The transition period will last between one and six weeks. One week after a … Continued
Joe Friel, world renowned triathlon coach, describes three basic abilities for successful multisport racing: endurance, force and speed skills. These three basic abilities form the foundation for successful multisport training and racing. Endurance is the ability to delay the onset of fatigue and reduce its effects on performance. For a novice multisport athlete endurance is … Continued
To understand ‘periodization theory’ it is important to understand the training principles that form the basis of the theory. Principle of specificity A training program will progress from ‘general training’ to ‘specific training’ throughout the year. For example, an athlete may want to develop greater cycling strength. Early in the season they might use a … Continued
For some of us, including me, our first race is only 8 weeks away. It may not be a high priority race but a race you have chosen to blow the cobwebs out and sharpen your race skills. So what should we be doing differently in the next 8 weeks? That brings me to the … Continued
Finally, a cycling blog that is not about black ice, bike crashes and bruised bodies! For those of you joining us on our first cycling session I have a few tips for you regarding cycling technique and skills. Developing good cycling technique and skills is vital to ensure you as a triathlete can perform to … Continued
Swimming front crawl (FC) efficiently is a complex motor skill to learn. It involves the coordinated movement of the head, spine, pelvic and shoulder girdles and all four limbs at once in an environment that not all of us are comfortable in. Oh, did I forget to mention breathing too? Breaking down a skill into … Continued
Eaves dropping on conversations at our training sessions is proving to be a great way to find topics for the blog. Barefoot running popped up in conversation just as we were about to head out for a soaking wet cold run this morning. I am afraid I fit the stereotype of a NZer. I grew … Continued
The Triathlon Cycling and Running Show will take place at Sandown Park on 13-14 February and will be packed with the greatest products, services, seminars and features for the triathletes, cyclists and runners. I went last year and though it was well worth a look. This year you could go along and listen to Ironman … Continued
Once eaten, carbohydrates are broken down into monosaccharides and are absorbed into the bloodstream. They then get used as energy if needed. Any glucose not needed right away gets stored in the muscles and the liver in the form of glycogen. Insulin, along with other hormones, is responsible for regulating this process. If the concentration … Continued