Strength Training for Triathletes: Yes or No?...

One of my clients asked me about strength training this week: I have been doing these exercises with max weight at about 6-8 reps to build power this off season: Hip Abductors Leg Press Squats Calf raises Knee extension Hamstrings What are your thoughts and suggestions around these leg exercises?  Should I not be doing these or is it too much? I responded: Those are good overall leg strength exercises. ...

Practicing a triathlon mass swim start...

Practicing a mass swim start in the pool is a great drill to practice if you have any race day anxiety about mass swim starts. How to do it? Simple: find a few friends, clear a few lanes and go! Check out the ladies of the April 2009 She Does Tri Camp at the Warrenton Aquatics and Recreation Facility in Warrenton, VA: By practicing close up swimming in the safe environment of the pool, you will become more comfortable...

Winter Training for Triathletes...

Winter brings two challenges – colder temperatures and shorter days. Both can drive an athlete to workout inside on a bike trainer and a treadmill, but I do not think that this needs to be the case all of the time. Sure, if there’s a blizzard outside; the sidewalks and roads are icy; and visibility is 0%; ride your trainer inside or go for a swim instead. If the conditions are not too bad, exercising in...

Training in the “Off Season”…or ...

The “Off season” – what I define as the time period from when one triathlon racing season ends to the next year’s season begins – is inappropriately named. “How so?” you may ask. Because there truly is no season of doing “nothing” which is what the name “off season” implies. Yes, there should be some off time of doing much of nothing but probably not...

Navy SEAL PT at USNA...

Since my triathlon racing season is now over for the year, I’ve been struggling to think of something interesting to write about. A recent email from a former company mate at the Naval Academy (Stew Smith) stirred up memories of SEAL PT at USNA. (Source: USNA.edu) When I was a Plebe (freshman) at USNA, Stew was in his second class (junior) year. Stew’s class of ‘91 was responsible for “training”...