This Page will feature some tips and suggestions from our resident Coaching Co-ordinator, Mike Reid as well as contributions from other experienced Club members from time to time.  If you have some sure-fire training tips or injury remedies that you’re keen to share with your fellow Club members, send us some details so we can add to this page over the coming season.

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19/11/10

WET  WEATHER

With the recent rain it is normal for those training for the sport of triathlon to become frustrated with the rain and wet weather which brings about less time for training, especially on the bike. Don’t let this become an annoyance to you but use the wet weather where you can to enhance your swimming and running. If you become so frustrated with the rain that you need to get out on the bike, try getting out on a mountain bike which is obviously safer in wet weather, however be cautious of traffic in wet weather as you are not as visible. The best way to treat wet weather is with contempt and go to the pool where you are going to get wet anyway. Running is also not as dangerous although when you first start probably a little more uncomfortable but once you get into the run there is not much difference between a wet and a dry day.

When the weather dries out you can then change your training days around so that you can make up for the bike rides you have lost. Another way to enhance your bike skills is to get to a gym and do a cycle class. Talk to the management if you intend to do this and see if you can go into the cycle room early and do a little more. Use the cycle classes for strength building as it is easy to roll over on fixed wheel bikes and look like you’re spinning quickly with little effort. If you use cycle classes as a power session, let the instructor know what you are doing because many times if you are pushing a bigger gear it may not sink in with they are asking the balance of the class to do. Then they have an understanding of what you are doing and just not co-operating with what the instructors are asking you to do.

Other things that can be done in a gym are some of the exercises that I have posted below and also classes such as Body Balance and Yoga greatly assist triathletes in a core sense as core stability is a very important factor of the sport of triathlon.

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17/11/10

STRENGTH  &  STABILITY  TRAINING

Hi crew.  Mike Reid here letting you know there are some exercises I have developed that specifically relate to triathlon.  Have a look at the attached PDF.

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Fitball exercises

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The ball ones are good for stability and core, please do them in an open area away from furniture in case you fall or roll off the ball. The weight ones are for strength in the wrist and shoulders on the profile bars for long periods.  If you need help with them please call me on 0412 554 668.

Other gym or weight bearing exercises are good but concentrate on doing those that are unstable – i.e. stand on one leg when doing bicep curls, dips off a ball etc…  Nothing we do in triathlon is on a stable base. So avoid sitting on a machine just pumping weight (unless you want to look like the “Rock” used to).

If you need or want stable strength exercises I have a formula to do that, but I would need to talk you through that, again call if that is what you require.