Winter Triathlon Training
Created On: 09 December 2011
Now that the winter is drawing in some of your training sessions
are likely to get shorter as well. This is the time of year to
ensure that you are focusing on the technique elements of your
training. If you have reviewed your 2011 season and are planning
improvements for 2012 some of this will come from improved fitness
or working with a coach but you will see bigger gains by looking at
your technique in each discipline.
If we start with the swim think about having a swim analysis
session so that you can see your stroke and work with someone to
make the necessary improvements. This will mean spending quality
time in the pool doing 1 or 2 lengths of drills and then resting
briefly and then going again. Remember the more you do something
correctly the better.
On the bike maybe you need a bike fit to check your position;
it's good to do this every year as things are constantly changing
from flexibility, to power and also age. If you are in the correct
position at the start of winter training all the riding you do will
stand you in good stead for next year. A bike fit should be
done by an expert and will last anything up to half a day and costs
vary, but it will be one of the best investments you can make
You can also consider investing in some rollers to improve pedal
efficiency, (rollers are basically moving rollers that you position
your bike on rather than a turbo which fixes your back wheel in),
many people are afraid of using rollers as it does take some
balance initially but master it and it will improve your core as
well as your bike skills.
Most people assume they can run but can they run properly? Will
it allow them to get the speed they want? Work with a running
expert to change your run technique so that you are able to make
the most of your run fitness that you will build up over the
winter. Again, like swimming this will involve doing drills and
technique work as part of every run and probably running less miles
which can be hard.
The key message this time of year is that if you have decided to
alter your technique with the help of experts don't waste your
money and simply ignore the advice. Go away do the drills, practice
what you have been told and keep doing it until it's right. Don't
give up after a few weeks because you aren't going as fast as this
time last year, you probably won't be, but the body might be having
to learn a whole new way of running or swimming. This will take
time, maybe even a few months but if you stick to it and do small
sessions more often it will soon get better and you will reap the
rewards next year.
The above details are for your guidance; if you would like any
further information Absolute Triathlon would be more than happy to
help. We can be contacted on tel.0115 9607912, e-mail: coach@absolute-triathlon-coaching.co.uk or
please visit our website at www.absolute-triathlon-coaching.co.uk. We
offer a variety of training sessions across the week from our base
in Bestwood, Nottingham and are also able to work with you on an
individual basis providing customised training programmes designed
specifically for you, 1-2-1 sessions including swim analysis and
specialist bike fitting.
Tags: beginners,training
