Unfortunately, training can result in injuries. However, the path back to training is often shortened unnecessarily due to a fundamental gap in communication between some key partners. The athlete has a responsibility to know what the best practice should be as well as holding each party accountable to it. Coach Soraya explores this sensitive conversation.
Read MoreCoach Alan follows up on his recent blog article which looked at how to work out if something is a niggle or injury by writing about how might you be able to stay ahead of the curve and prevent these niggles or injuries happening at all.
Read MoreNiggle or injury? Is it such a binary subject? All too often, I have had conversations with ‘broken’ athletes who are at a very low ebb; the conversation has taken a ‘failure’ tone… I’m injured, the athlete says. After ten minutes of conversation, it can come often turn out that the athlete is one of many things that isn’t injured: tired, sore, niggled, stiff, bruised or simply out of their comfort or experience zone. So how do we know when to stop?
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be injured? How do we know if we are injured? What are the signs, and are they always the same? How bad is the injury? How does it make you feel? Does it mean the end of the road for you and your sport? How long will it be before you can train as you did before? Will you ever be able to race again? Will you ever get back to where you were? Can we become better athletes after an injury?
These are all thoughts that swim around in peoples’ heads, sometimes on an endless loop throwing up feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, and frustration because, in many cases, when an injury happens a sort of panic can set in.....how did this happen? Everything was fine yesterday, but now I am in pain - why, what could have caused it? Without a proper understanding of causal factors, it is not uncommon for people to try to ignore it, or to avoid acknowledging it - this will go away, right? Of course, we know that it will not.
So, at what point should we act? What should we do and when? What do we need to know? Here is what Coach Tracy Cook would advise.
Read MoreAccurate data on injury prevalence in triathlon is lacking; however, we know that 80-85% of injuries in triathlon are overuse injuries. Here coach Jon takes a look at 5 common injuries suffered by triathletes and gives some tips on how to avoid them.
Read MoreWouldn’t we all love the opportunity to be able to follow a professional triathlete’s training timetable, right? Or instead, we love the idea of what we think a pro triathlete’s schedule might be - what does it look like? Why do we care? What magical ingredients set professionals apart from most age-groupers? Read on, as coach Tracy discusses the key differences and perhaps, how you can bridge some of those gaps.
Read MoreEvery athlete has the wish to do more training, to do more swims, more rides and more runs. But most of us are not full-time professional athletes, so how do we fit it all in around a "normal" lifestyle? The "other' arf" has to be considered, the Boss needs to be onside, and the kids need to be attended to…….there are just not enough hours in the day…..or are there?
Read MoreIn the final part of our three-part articles, coach Soraya talks us through the key steps to go through just before you have signed up for, just after signing up for and the final lead into to an IRONMAN race. Read on for the beginner’s guide to IRONMAN.
Read MoreIn the second of our three-part articles, coach Soraya talks us through the key steps to go through just before you have signed up for, just after signing up for and the final lead into to an IRONMAN race. Read on for the beginner’s guide to IRONMAN.
Read MoreYou’ve decided that you are going to take the plunge and start using a coach. The structure of a training plan and being accountable to someone to get those sessions done will undoubtedly help you, but how can you make sure that you are getting the most out of the coaching process? Well, we are all individuals, so finding a coach who fits well to you will make the whole process more efficient, and give you a greater chance of being able to get the best out of your training.
Read MoreWe know hiring a coach to work with you on your triathlon journey can help boost your triathlon performance. However, in this blog, Coach Jon looks into how a successful coaching relationship can give you benefits well beyond pure performance gains.
Read MoreOften athletes want to know how the professionals train and they gain access to “behind the scenes” footage of the pro’s big training days. However, we rarely gain insight into what separates us from the people most like us: the top Age Groupers.
In reality, these are some of the real superstars of the sport. They are competing, sometimes on the fringes of the professional ranks in IRONMAN or any other distance, but without the perks of a professional lifestyle. Read on to find out how you can learn from these athletes.
Read MoreOn 12th September 2020, Founder and head coach Philip Hatzis was invited to Blenheim Palace Triathlon. Usually, one of the largest events in the country and one famous for its levels of participation. Here are his insights on the day and hopefully will help you settle any questions you may have on how triathlons can be COVID-Safe.
Read MoreCoach Dougal has been doing the sport before some of us were even born! So ignoring the various fashion trends that have passed in triathlon he certainly has seen his fair share of classic embarrassing moments. Read on to hear about his top observations and maybe use it as a learning point before you make the same mistake!
Read MoreCoach Alan discusses why it is so important to celebrate female athlete success to help increase the participation and inspiration in female endurance athletes.
Read MoreThroughout 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.
Read MoreBelow, coached athlete Harriet Teare talks to us about her race experiences at the Cotswold 113 event. This was the first significant triathlon to take place in the UK after COVID restrictions were eased. Here is her race report/thoughts the word “weird” is used a lot as it is a change from what we are used to, but at the same time, she did enjoy being back in a somewhat familiar place.
Read MoreHere coach Philip discusses how to make a comeback. After several years of racing as one of the top age groupers, his personal circumstances changed, he picked up an injury and chose to do more coaching than training. Though he is hardly moving back up the rankings, he is enjoying training more again. Read about his advice and experiences.
Read MoreCoach Will takes a look at an important part of the new style racing and one that most triathletes have sat at the top of their concerns: how can I eat! He discusses aid station format and some thoughts about balancing speed and nutrition to ensure the best possible results. This will be an ongoing area to optimise.
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