Carefully Curated Triathlon News for June 15, 2023

IN THIS EDITION…

  • 9 bike workouts for IRONMAN success
  • Why metabolic flexibility is so important
  • 2 proven pull buoy strategies
  • Avoid these 5 recovery myths
  • 6 tips for faster marathons off the bike

RUN FOR DOUGH

To race to your potential, you must finish your IRONMAN with a strong marathon.

Unfortunately most triathletes don’t come close.

Run the race you know you have inside you with Matt Fitzgerald’s 6 tips for faster IRONMAN marathons.

According to Fitzgerald a strong triathlon run is built brick by brick (pun intended).  It relies on a solid foundation of bike strength, fueled by a carefully honed – and practiced – nutrition strategy.

Triathlon running is different.  After reading this article, we think you’ll approach your own training with a new perspective.

BUOY OH BUOY

A favorite triathlon swim accessory is the pull buoy.  You probably have one in your gear bag now. But are you using it correctly?  Or is it simply a crutch that reinforces poor body positioning?

In this article Andrew Sheaff provides 2 great strategies for using a pull buoy that will improve your mechanics and increase your stroke rate.

His drills and tips will help you take advantage of the pull buoy to move more water and generate more speed.

RECOVERY MYTHOLOGY

We want to get the most from every workout, especially the hard ones.

Recovery is where the gains are made.  Unfortunately, many athletes unintentionally undermine their toughest sessions by practicing outdated or unproven recovery modalities.

Coach Jeff Gaudette outlines 5 of the most common recovery mistakes he observes among distance runners (and we see among triathletes).

Avoid these post-workout practices and you’ll enhance your recovery and lock-in the training adaptations you need.

UP, PERISCOPE

When FINIS introduced the first swimmer’s snorkel, it revolutionized how coaches taught stroke technique.

By eliminating the distraction of rotating to breathe, the snorkel allows swimmers to focus on their rhythm, body position and alignment.

Every triathlete should have the FINIS Stability Speed Snorkel in their transition bag, and drill with it regularly.

As a TriathlonWire reader, get 20% off your purchase of the FINIS Snorkel and other world class swimming accessories by using coupon code TRIWIRE at checkout.

RIDE WITH PURPOSE

Cycling endurance, strength and speed are required for long-distance triathlon success, and demand more than just lots of long Zone 2 rides.

Kona age group recordholder and coach Dr. Dan Plews breaks his training into 3 well-defined phases: building the base, developing race-specific strength, and sharpening for the event.

During each phase he performs various combinations of his 9 types of bike sessions, each with its own purpose.

By understanding when and why to schedule these workouts, you can intentionally build the cycling performance you need for an exceptional race.

CAN’T SUGARCOAT IT

For optimal long-distance fueling, it’s vital to strike the right balance between fat and carbs in your diet.  Coach and sport scientist Alan Couzens explains why.

Low carb, fat-focused athletes produce less energy per liter of oxygen.  However “sugar burners” are susceptible to running out of fuel after about 3 hours of racing.

That’s why metabolic flexibility is crucial for long endurance events.  Train your body how to use both carbs and fats, and you’ll reach a higher level of performance.

QUICK HIITS:

  • Handle This
    For all you indoor cyclists, check out the new Zwift Play controllers that attach to your handlebars.  According to DC Rainmaker, they’re surprisingly useful and provide new levels of in-game precision and engagement.
  • 3 Long Tips
    American pro Sam Long is a beast on the bike.  His 3 tips for faster cycling aren’t complicated, but have proven to be very effective!