KONA FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Although we can’t get to Hawaii this year, why not bring a bit of Aloha into your home for the Holidays?  Our friends at Kona Coffee and Tea (that awesome coffee shop halfway up Palani Hill on the IRONMAN course) are still guaranteeing delivery of their award winning 100% Kona Coffee in time for your gift giving.  But hurry… the cutoff time is fast approaching!

DAYTONA 100

Unless you lost your internet connection, you surely heard about the Challenge Daytona Triathlon and its 100 km PTO Championship event.

While covered by nearly every triathlon media outlet in the world, it was cool to see mainstream sports publications give it prominent attention, too.

The accolades were well-deserved.  In addition to its $1.15 million prize purse, the pro racing was some of the most exciting and compelling that the sport has ever witnessed.  If you missed the live webcast, you watch the replays here.

Should IRONMAN be worried? Probably not. At least for now, nothing beats the finish line on Ali’i Drive.  But it’s refreshing — for athletes and fans — to have more event options and race distances to choose from.

Challenge Daytona was no flash in the pan. The PTO will host its inaugural Collins Cup competition on May 22, 2021 in Samorin, Slovakia with $2 million in prize money.  Stay tuned…

ABS OF IRON

Do you want to be faster in all 3 disciplines of triathlon?  Of course you do.  That’s why a strong core must be a top priority in 2021.

As 5x world champion Craig Alexander says, “you can’t fire a cannon off a canoe”… a stable foundation is required to generate power and speed in swimming, cycling and running.

Follow Crowie’s 5 exercises for a stronger core (he still does them 3 times per week), and you’ll quickly see improvements in your performance.

DIALING IN YOUR LONG RUN

One of the most important workouts for optimal marathon performance is your long run.  It’s also one of the sessions that generates the most questions and confusion.

In this comprehensive article coach Greg McMillan describes the two types of long runs you should be doing, explains why they work so well, and prescribes exactly how to perform them.

By following his strategy you’ll improve your body’s ability to burn fat, spare glycogen, increase power and resist fatigue.  Magic?  Not really… but you might think it is, after seeing the results.

COMMIT TO FASTER SWIMMING

Other than having a great coach, nothing improves your swimming faster than training and drilling with the right accessories and equipment.

Our partners at FINIS offer an incomparable collection of training gear.  Swimmers’ fins, a variety of technical paddles, kickboards and buoys of all sizes, and much more.

Their highly-rated products are available to TriathlonWire readers at 20% off, by using coupon code TRIWIRE20 at checkout.

Whether you treat yourself or tell Santa about this discount, commit to becoming faster in the water in 2021 by upgrading the gear in your tri bag!

FASTER UPHILL ON YOUR BIKE

Many triathletes avoid hilly races, incorrectly assuming that they can’t climb efficiently on their tri bike.

Coach Krista Schultz outlines how to properly prepare for a hilly bike course, and turn a lumpy course into your advantage.

We especially liked her recommendation to pay closer attention to your heart rate — instead of your watts — when climbing.  Read the article to find out why.

SWIM CUES

One of the challenges to improving your swim speed — especially for those who train alone — is knowing what to focus on first.

Coach Dermott Hayes offers 8 cues and tips that will help you focus on key individual components of your freestyle stroke.  Experiment with these in your training, and your proficiency in the water will soon level up.

QUICK HIITS:

  • Pain Belief
    In a fascinating study from the University of Southern Denmark, researchers concluded that exercise lowers the perception of pain… as long as athletes believe that it does.  A triathlete’s mindset regarding pain turns out to be very important.  Alex Hutchinson explains.
  • How the Best Pros Do It
    The most dominant team in the pro cycling peloton this year was Jumbo Visma.  One reason for their success was obsessive attention to sports nutrition.  Long-distance triathletes can learn from their approach, and take comfort in knowing that it’s not as restrictive as you might imagine.
  • Secret of a Long Lew
    90 year old Lew Hollander has been competing in triathlons for over 30 years, including burying the over-80 age group record in Kona.  What’s his secret?  Despite his age, you might be surprised by his commitment to HIIT.