Triathlon Features From Around The Web June 2010

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Triathlon Features From Around The Web – June 2010

This week we decided to spend a little time browsing the web for features, videos and websites that we thought would be worth sharing. We’ve chosen pieces on inspiratory muscles training, improving your swimming by closing your eyes, POSE running and using strides to speed up the final leg of your next triathlon.

Warning: Triathlon can make you feel like this

Deep breaths can do more than calm your nerves.

There are ways to improve your splits without running yourself ragged, or slogging through more swimming. Triathlon 220 reports on inspiratory muscle training. The reasoning is simple, there are muscle besides quads and triceps that need training in order to excel in triathlon. The intercostal muscles lie between the ribs and work with another muscle, the diaphragm, to increase the volume of the chest cavity during inhalation. There are devices available that can increase the resistance you experience when breathing to help train these muscles. Triathlon 220’s article details the research behind this often overlooked form of training and explains how products such as POWERbreathe can help you train your inspiratory muscles.

Source: www.220triathlon.com/train/inspiratory-training

Improve your swimming, with your eyes closed.

This great article from the Guardian newspaper is full of advice from Team GB Swim coach Sean Kelly. The blind swim test he recommends (preferably in an empty lane, with a friend or coach to supervise!) is designed to direct you to weaknesses and asymmetries in your stroke, and through this help you improve your ability to navigate open water racecourses. In addition there are tips on using pullbuoys, how to sight effectively in open water, drafting to conserve energy and how breathe intelligently and economically in a race. Sean Kelly coached Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten to Silver and Bronze medal wins in the 10km marathon swim at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, so he knows a thing or two about open water swimming.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/may/17/triathlon-improve-open-water-swimming

Learn to run like an elite athlete with a revolutionary Russian regime.

Tim Don, Andrew Johns, Leanda Cave are all Elite British Triathletes who have adopted Dr Romanov’s POSE running technique. This technique involves changing the runners body position in a way that is proven to increase speed and reduce the risk of injury. Sportsinjurybulletin.com provides an in depth article detailing the science behind the technique, the process of drastically changing your running style and the potential pitfalls in doing so. Adopting the POSE technique is not a light undertaking, requiring significant strength training for example, and should be approached with caution and proper advice sought (there are qualified coaches who teach the technique).

Source: www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/pose-running-technique.html

Run smarter, try strides.

There are less dramatic ways to alter your running technique for the better. Strides are a running technique drill that can be adapted to any level of competition from recreational triathlete to elite competitor. In short they are usually used in warm ups and warm downs typically over 100m or thereabouts to practice good quality movements and body position at a brisk pace. Dave Campbell of velotv.net provides a short youtube clip explaining how he executes 100m stride drills and how strides can be built into a training plan throughout the season.

Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJCyMxNGpoE

Improve your swimming without getting wet!

Netfit.co.uk is a great free training resource with several preprepared weight-training circuits. There are comprehensive workouts for all the key muscle groups involved in swimming and cycling each with clear diagrams and simple explanations. Even if you don’t feel like carrying out the whole session, you can pick and choose these sorts of exercises to break up a heavy gym session, focus on key weaknesses, or even design your own circuit from them.

Source: www.netfit.co.uk/