An Explanation to racing in COVID Times
Throughout the lockdown, British Triathlon has been working very closely with event organisers to return to play as quickly and as safely as they can. Founder Philip Hatzis was part of that working group, and he outlines the principles below in an easy to understand concise manner.
Race or no Race?
We have mentioned many times before that racing in these times causes a polarised community, and this article isn’t trying to add fuel to the fire. It is just explaining the principles of how a return to racing has been delivered. Some of the biggest concerns about racing now are the impact on the local community (and how can the event reduce that) and the apprehension of athletes to sign up due to possible last-minute cancellations. However, we cannot offer a solution to that. Now, it seems, race cancellations and postponements are well understood. So make sure what you are signing up for when you do so you know your options if an event is cancelled. Given we are now at the end of a season, there won’t be many races, if you want to peak for one, give it a go. If not, stay at a good level of fitness and take races as (if) they come is one way of never feeling physiologically like you are missing out.
The Bubble
The events are operating with seemingly large numbers by ensuring each athlete races in their own bubble of one. From the race start to finish, they race as an individual. This means the onus is on the athlete to be safe and aware all the time. Though this is likely to mean that athletes may end up entering each other’s bubbles at overtaking points, or otherwise, the event organiser will have removed many of the traditional choke points. (That is one of the critical points in the permitting process by British Triathlon). Racking is a lot wider, the numbering of athletes and waves means that there will rarely be two athletes going down the same racking line at the same time and the course will have space to allow athletes to socially distance.
Aid stations are the other area where athletes may assemble, and it will certainly pay to be self-sufficient on these courses. Where possible, you need to consider using aid stations less than before and try and have a robust nutrition plan going into the event.
The Experience
Arrival, registration, racking will all be scheduled now. This should make a more streamlined experience for athletes, but it will also make it a little more socially distance. The buzz pre-race may seem hard to experience. That should change as you near the race start, and the sights and smells become familiar again. The race is a time-trial, and that should mean you have one of the quietest and smoothest swims there are. Though whereas previously you were able to get away with drafting, you will need to sight and be able to swim!
Some races are using random starts, alphabetical, fastest-slowest or any other suggestion. Each race will be different. Nevertheless, this method of racing yourself against the clock will remove some of the ‘red mist’ athletes encounter when racing someone and will mean you really will have to seek your internal motivation.
The finish line will be broader and slicker than before. There is going to be far less atmosphere than you are used to and due to the time-trail format, no one will know where you have come until the last competitor crosses the line. For this reason, and to avoid hanging around, you will want to head out as soon as you can (bring some wet-wipes to wash after the race) and get back to the car when you can. A lot of the planning and organisation is around limited time on the site, so do your bit to help the organisers out.
Time to learn a new skill
For athletes who say that this is all impossible as “race” brain gets in the way, this is an opportunity to work on a critical performance skill that is lacking. Racing is fun; it is ruthless, it is primal but, to be successful, the top athletes can think clearly under pressure and make good decisions. If you feel you can’t, then maybe this is your chance to become a better athlete!
Your task remains unchanged
From a coaching perspective, you should find the whole experience more organised, thought through, and efficient than before. The portaloos will be cleaner and less busy than ever and, as with normal ways of life, there will be masks, hand sanitisers and “excuse me’s” throughout. All this is superficial. As an athlete, you are there to do a job, and though the environment is undoubtedly more sterile, the task remains the same: get to the finish line as quickly as you can. In reality, all these COVID-safe precautions mean that it is easier to focus on you and your race plan, which is undoubtedly a benefit to executing the best race you can do. Racing can happen, safely, but it is down to all of the participants of the sport to make it happen. It takes one bad photo to ruin the sport for everyone, so do your bit and let’s get back to the sports we love.
For the up to date guidance, check out the British Triathlon COVID-19 Statements.
We’re here to help
Tri Training Harder are one of the leading Triathlon coaching providers in the UK, using our wealth of experience to unite scientific and technological research with already well-established and successful best practices, to create a formula for triathlon and endurance coaching that works.
The result is an honest, dynamic, yet simple new way of constructing an athlete’s training to allow them to reach their potential.
If you’re planning your next season, just starting out in the sport or are looking for extra guidance at the very top end of the field, we are here to help, and our coaches would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact us via the website, and one of the team will be in touch.