220Triathlon Edição 334

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FEBRUARY 2017 I I 37
TACKLE 70.3 IN2017
F m the duo of Outlaws to the quartet of
onman 70.3s and Gauntlets, there’s no denying
at middle-distance racing is a growing force on
the event calendar. It’s also the fastest-growing
race distance for you lovely readers, with more and more
of you citing the 1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run
format as your primary race distance for 2017.
A case in point is Ironman Weymouth back in
September. Of the 2,600 athletes signed-up, nearly 2,000
of those were there to race the 70.3 event including 220’s
Matt Baird for his debut middle. “For eight years of
‘racing’ triathlon, I’ve lived in fear of that 90km bike leg,”
says the M35-39 athlete. “But Weymouth made me realise
that, if you put time and effort into the training,
middle-distance racing is certainly achievable. It didn’t
take over my life like a full Ironman could, and I balanced
lunchtime gym sessions with evening runs without really
impacting on weekend Lego time with the kids.”
Baird would finish 1,000th for his most rewarding
multisport achievement. But the day was far from a
Dorset picnic. “In trying to get my bike up to mediocrity, I
chronically neglected swim training. Consequently I really
suffered on the swim and, bedraggled in T1, my race hung
in the balance. I wish I’d followed a proven training plan
and pinned down my nutrition. I also should’ve trained
with fellow middle-distance racers to gauge my progress.”
MIDDLE JOURNEY
Back in the summer, Team 100% Tri in Lincolnshire
offered spots for their inaugural Outlaw Half Holkham
coaching package. The places sold out immediately, with
40 athletes signed-up on a journey that’ll take them to
the Wells-next-the-Sea event on 2 July 2017.
“Middle-distance racing provides a meaningful
challenge where training load can still remain balanced
with everyday family life,” says Team 100% Tri director
Paul Fowler. “Whether you’re racing for a win or aiming to
complete the distance, it’s a rewarding experience and is a
big achievement to reach both the start and finish lines.
“Our athletes come to us with plenty of questions over
training load, whether they should be feeling nerves six
months out from the race and nutritional concerns,” adds
Fowler. “So following a training plan will provide structure
and helps you to make best use of your time. It also allows
you to be progressive in your approach and build upon
your success as you develop in each discipline. Monitoring
of your training against a plan will show you objectively
how you’re progressing and where you may need to
refocus your time and effort.”
Another key Fowler tip is to train with triathletes who
are working towards the same race. “While structured
coaching is important, working towards a shared goal in a
fun environment is really motivating. Working alongside
other athletes helps get the training completed and
makes it much more enjoyable.”
With your middle-distance appetite now whetted, it’s
time for our essential 113km special. Over the next seven
pages Dermott Hayes, head coach of RG Active, dispenses
the key middle-distance basics, nutrition advice, and
mandatory swim, bike, run and brick sessions. Plus he’ll
provide a six-month training plan to have you set-up and
raring to go come the UK’s 113km race season.