The ironBlog: Training

There is a strange trend in Age Group triathlon for "high" saddle heights...make sure you're not one of those losing out on power and optimal cadence due to poor bike setup. Head Coach Marc Becker, whom Phil Liggett once said has "the most beautiful pedal stroke in cycling", has these words to say.
[More]There are many ways to combine three sports and train for a triathlon. Whether this is your first race or you have already a few seasons under your belt, here’s a simple approach that will ensure you’re ship shape in twelve weeks, without resorting to expensive tools and leaving room to mix it up from week to week.
"There's safety in numbers" is a familiar refrain. Unfortunately in triathlon training, training only "by the numbers" often leads to staleness, plateaus and over time even to slower performances. If you're in such a rut it may be time to try something new -- to train like there's no tomorrow!
[More]"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- Lao Tzu
Thinking about entering your first triathlon?! While it may seem a little daunting to picture swimming, cycling and running your way through a Super Sprint, Sprint or even Olympic distance triathlon, Lao Tzu pretty much summed up how to begin preparing yourself for your first triathlon 2500 years ago: It all starts with a single step (or pedal or swim stroke!). In fact, a triathlon is no more complicated than changing the kinds of steps you take during your journey to the finish line! Read on for some simple advice on preparing for your first triathlon...
The following is excerpted from an old client blog written by Alberta triathlete Ttrent Burton. [More]
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Day 1 of the ironguides Spring Training Camp kicked off with a full day of seminars and swim, bike and run training in El Paso, Texas.
The treadmill is a very misunderstood part of the arsenal of tools available to a triathlete. Using the treadmill, you can get a better return on your training time if you learn to use it in the right way. For example, one ironguides athlete turned his two-hour long run into his 1:34 long run over the course of about a year using the treadmill for specific sets including his long run. [More]
- Sustainable training over time
- Framework for monitoring response to changes in life circumstances (sleep, work, travel, etc.)
- Realistic comparisons of efforts over short and long term mean it's easy to track progress
- Focus on the current workout only lightens "thinking" overhead and reduces stress
- Framework that enables monitoring of increases in training load -- no random changes to the schedule, no random "new workout" -- just gradual additions, slight changes, shifts in emphasis between the Five Systems as training phase demands.
It's not often you find a deal like this on new technology, but Camaro's partnership with ironguides means all athletes enables all athletes receive the 25% discount off one of triathlon's hottest new products: The Camaro Triathlon Seamless, triathlon's first seamless wetsuit.
[More]Technology's improving by the minute these days, and so too is the innovative ways in which companies are applying it. Here's a look at a nice little tool from Aquavee that enables you to turn any swimming pool into a true training facility.
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Those who know ironguides know that we aren't big believers in high trick gadgetry and the pseudo-science that supports so many sports scientists hiding in the myriad folds and shadows of our complex little sport. But every once in awhile a piece of equipment comes along that makes complete sense and provides exactly the method that matches our madness. The Finis Forearm Fulcrum is one such item.
Understanding where your energies go when climbing can help keep you motivated up the steepest of gradients!
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