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February 1, 2012
Learning to swim is often the biggest hurdle for adults getting into triathlon. With all the literature and videos out there, is a coach necessary to get started? This month Sara McLarty debates Tim Edwards, a coach with North Coast Endurance in Cleveland, Ohio. Sara: With family and work schedules, very few people have the ability to train with a coach. Instead, it’s much easier to purchase a DVD or book that they can follow at their own pace. Most are cheaper than a session with a coach, plus you can also find free videos on YouTube. Tim: Most triathletes have Type A personalities and they are very driven by schedules. Getting together with a coach for an hour is not a huge hurdle to overcome. Newbies are often lost in the mountain of data. With so much to think about, they don’t have a logical progression to follow as they start their journey in the pool. A coach can break down the individual skills and move on only when they have mastered them. Sara: Triathlete recently outlined a simple way to create your own underwater video camera. You can film yourself in the pool and analyze your technique each week as you progress. Compare your video to professional swimmers online. Tim: Athletes can videotape themselves, but the feedback is delayed. They have to wait to download the video and spend time comparing. Trying a skill, having it analyzed by a coach, learning the corrections and trying it again is compressed into minutes—not days. This progression is worth the extra couple of bucks. RELATED: How To Analyze Your Own Swim Stroke Sara: I’ve coached some athletes who just won’t listen to what I say, even if I’ve told them a million times. They finally end up figuring it out themselves and when that happens, it sticks. Learning on your own forces you to think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. Tim: The swim usually creates the most stress for a new triathlete. A coach is able to mentally help out by being there in this new environment. I swim with many athletes the first time they are in open water, “holding their hands” as they get comfortable. No video or book will reassure them when they first encounter a breaking wave or a plant wrapping around their hand. Sara: I can’t really argue against having a coach with you for your open-water swim training. Other than going with a very experienced friend, I don’t recommend any athletes trying open water without some support system nearby. Tim: Empowering the athlete is excellent. Athletes who really want to reach that next level of competition need to have a high level of investment in the process. One of the best ways for athletes to learn is to combine video of their practice with analysis of the technique. Many athletes I have coached have finally “got it” when they can see with their own eyes. Triathlete final thoughts: Videos and books can get you started, but a great coach can take you much further in your swim training.
January 27, 2012
To be successful in any endurance event, you have to refuel. In this video, Dr. Bob Sallis explains the basics of energy sources for endurance athletes. More videos from Triathlete.com.
January 17, 2012
In this video, Dr Bob Sallis explains the causes of gastrointestinal problems during exercise and how to avoid them. More videos from Triathlete.com.
January 16, 2012
Reigning four-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington announced on her website that she will not compete in Ironman events in 2012 to pursue “other opportunities”. See the news release from her website, Chrissiewellington.org , below and check back to Triathlete.com as we continue to cover this breaking story. Photo: Nils Nilsen Four time World Champion and World Ironman Distance Record Holder, Chrissie Wellington has announced that she’ll be taking a break from competing in Ironman during 2012 to explore other opportunities, including the forthcoming publication of her autobiography, A Life Without Limits . Chrissie, who won her fourth World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, last October and maintained her unbeaten record at Ironman distance – making it 13 victories from 13 races – said of her decision, “I’ve given absolutely everything to Ironman over the past five years. However, this year I’ve decided to take a break as I would like to spend more time focusing on other pursuits including dedicating more time to my chosen charities, the publication of my book and more active promotion of the sport in the UK, as well as giving myself the chance to explore and seize new opportunities within triathlon and outside. I feel that I wouldn’t be able to pursue all of these different goals whilst simultaneously dedicating the energy and time needed to compete in Ironman events and treat them with the respect and complete dedication they deserve. PHOTOS: Chrissie Wellington In Kona The past five years have been absolutely incredible and I am extremely happy, proud and content with everything that I have achieved in the sport – topping it all off with the race of my life in Kona last year. I have always seen triathlon as a part of my life, rather than the be all and end all, and am looking forward to a little more variety and balance by pursuing other interests, as well as spending more time with my family and friends. I am really excited about what the future holds and being able to spend more time around the sport without the commitment of full time ironman training and racing”. RELATED VIDEOS – Chrissie In Kona: The Post-Race Interview Series
January 28, 2011
Need some new training ideas? Check out these sites for pilates exercises, yoga videos and other triathlon training videos aimed to help endurance athletes
October 9, 2010
The two 2010 Ironman World Champions, Chris McCormack and Mirinda Carfrae, were also the two athletes featured on Training Day. How did they prepare to win the Kona race? Find out in these videos
June 14, 2010
With personal trainers producing YouTube fitness videos, iPod Nanos sporting pedometers, and yogis practicing tree pose using the Wii Fit –technology has become one of the best ways to set and maintain fitness goals.
June 10, 2010
With personal trainers producing YouTube fitness videos, iPod Nanos sporting pedometers, and yogis practicing tree pose using the Wii Fit–technology has become one of the best ways to set and maintain fitness goals. We consulted sports professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and tech companies to find the latest and most interesting hardware, software, and Websites that you can use to get in shape …
April 30, 2010
Heading to participate in the Wildflower Triathlon Festival this weekend for the first time? Check out these photo galleries and videos from last year’s events to get an idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Photos 2009 Avia Wildflower Long Course Triathlon #1 2009 Avia Wildflower Long Course Triathlon #2 2009 Avia Wildflower Olympic Course Triathlon Photo Gallery Videos 2009 Wildflower
December 8, 2009
I did the Trainer ride with a Pro tonight at Inside Out Sports in Cary. The store sponsors these workouts (almost) every Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm. They are free – you just have to bring your own bike and your own trainer. It was great killer workout, and I plan on doing this every Tuesday evening. My new job is five minutes from Inside Out Sports. Tonight’s workout was led by local pro triathlete, Alex McDonald. Since I get off work at 5, and the workout starts at 6:30, I was the first one to arrive for the workout. Alex is a member of Team Timex, and he had some free schwag for the first one to arrive. That was me! How lucky is that. I got a brand new Timex Sleek 150 lap tap technology watch. It’s very slim design and I am wearing it right now as I type. I love it so far – very sleek and comfortable! I asked him if he would take my picture so I could tweet about my prize. (Click any image below to enlarge.) I tweeted: “won timex ironman tap watch cuz i was first to arrive at @alexmmtri spin class” The first thing we did after the warmup was isolated leg drills. That is where you unclip one leg and only spin with the other leg. We did alot of those, and I hated them. But that means they were good for me. Alex let me tweet a picture of him. I twote: “single leg drill at ios with @alexmmtri “. The middle part of the workout were three tempo sets. I love those. I am very good at steady eddie riding. Then we did some super spins. Hate, hate, hated those! But again, if you hate a workout, it means it is good. After the workout, Alex let us all try a Recovery drink called Ultragen made by First Endurance. It was really good tasting. Not too sweet like most similar products. I was very impressed. I tweeted: “free first endurance recovery drink from @alexmmtri yum ” One last picture for you to enjoy: Tweet: “at IOS – look at the P4’s!” …if you found this post inspiring, please help fight Hunger by supporting the Gatorade G Movement! Here is no comments yet by the time your rss reader get this, Do you want to be the first commentor? Hurry up
