Lets face it, we’re triathletes, we’re not cyclists. Cyclists are completely different athletes with very different needs and talents. Some good cyclists have become good triathletes but the transition is not an easy one.
Most of the athletes I deal with are interested in half and full Ironman events. In each case the bike leg is a time trial. The physiological requirements for a triathlon time trial are very different to those for a cycling road race. In a road race, part of the game is to actually put yourself on …

Every second counts. This is the second weekend in a row that I’ve been timekeeper, and watched the guys time trialling at Walloon. Even though in last weeks newsletter, I wrote about the differences between the faster riders and the slower ones, I see the same little differences occurring.
Whether it’s a race or a time trial in training, every second counts. A few seconds of rolling “too big a gear”, just not shifting back to a gear where the rider is most efficient, costs seconds. Sitting up and coasting without the …

I’ve had the same vehicle for about six years, a Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carrier. I intended keeping it for a few more years. Usually when I am finished with a vehicle, it does not go on to be a reliable family car for the next owner. I usually wear them out.
This is the third Troopy I’ve owned. Each one has been a diesel. My ex-wife still has the one we bought new in 91. They reconditioned the motor at 490,000km. They’re a hard vehicle to wear out.
Last Friday my mate …

This morning I woke up before 5am. It’s just a habit, I didn’t have to get up that early but with sunrise coming early, I guess my body clock is locked into the seasons. It was time to get up. I still had a little bit of office work to catch up on after a late start to the week. We spent the week at Noosa watching a lot of friends competing in the Noosa triathlon.
To be honest the Noosa triathlon was a reason to go away for a weekend …

Lots of athletes struggle through the last few days before race day. All sorts of aches and pains appear. Thoughts become vague and in some cases the athlete rehearses every possible thing that could go wrong on race day. Building up more and more tension. There really needs to be a planned strategy in place before we get to the last week.
Right now I’m in Kona, it’s Wednesday, race day is Saturday. I’ve done all the work, I’m at race weight. I’ve covered the most significant parts of the course …