Athelete Gives Tips For A Succesful Triathlon
The 400 competitors for the Taunton Deane Foot Anstey Triathlon are all gearing themselves up for the race on Sunday 18th May 2008.
The race caters for every level of fitness from the complete novice to the experienced competitor who travels the country to participate in triathlon events.
David Turner, partner at local law firm Foot Anstey, is competing in the Male Veteran category ( over 40s) and won this category in the Taunton Deane Foot Anstey Aquathlon earlier this year.
David gives his advice to anyone thinking about joining this rapidly expanding sport.
" The triathlon has a new audience since it became an Olympic event and following the success of the London Triathlon. The Taunton Deane Foot Anstey Triathlon has always been fully subscribed, but this year the list of competitors was filled in just 10 days!
"It’s so good to see a lot of new people competing this year. A triathlon is simple really, if you can swim, ride a bike and run --you can do a triathlon. And it’s so much more exciting taking part in a multi disciplinary event.
“Training for a triathlon is great because of the variety of activities. Swimming, cycling and running are different disciplines but are all basically aerobic activities so you get a cross over benefit during training. Most people find the swimming most difficult, and even boring, but it’s the shortest element of the triathlon so shouldn’t put be the reason for not taking part.
“Training for the event means not concentrating on one discipline to the detriment of others. So if you plan to train three times a week then do a swim session, a bike session and a run.
“ One good tip is every time you go out on your bike, run for 5 or 10 minutes afterwards. In the triathlon you have to start running immediately after the cycling and your legs feel a bit like jelly! The only way to counter this is by getting used to it - the "jelly-leg" feeling does wear off as you get into your run.
“And remember the clock starts when you start your swim and ends when you finish your run. The clock keeps ticking on the transitional stages of swim to bike and then bike to run. They are not an opportunity to sit down and catch your breath - valuable places can be won by getting the time during transitions down to an absolute minimum!
“There are no real dietary tips. The event is aerobic so eat plenty of complex carbohydrates before the event and keep off the booze the night before; it dehydrates you and you will need your liquid reserves for the triathlon.”
The Taunton Deane Foot Anstey Triathlon is a real family event with lots of local people coming to support the athletes or just coming along for a fun day out.
The event is sponsored by Taunton solicitors Foot Anstey for the second time and is organised by Tone Leisure and local triathlon club, Somerset RC Tri.
The triathletes will use the Wellington Sports Centre swimming pool for the swim element before taking to the quiet roads for the cycle ride towards Milverton and Wiveliscombe and then a mixture of footpaths and quiet lanes for the run.
For more information on the triathlon or for details on how to volunteer to help on the day please visit www.tauntondeanetri.co.uk
Published 08/05/2008
