220 Triathlon September 2017

Technique. Surely the best way to get faster, yet often the most frustrating thing to spend time on. After all, who doesn’t love smashing a training session, getting the endorphins going and seeing the results rack up on Garmin Connect or Strava? Spending time unpicking your swim, bike or run technique and then painstakingly correcting it though... Yep, that’s hard. Believe me, it’s definitely worth it though when it all comes together. In this issue we have a focus on bike technique (p40) but after spending my summer hols on a Swimquest training camp, my focus is now on improving my swim, namely my insanely droppy elbows. Whatever you’re working on, good luck – and stick with it!…

ESSENTIAL BIKE SKILLS Having powerful legs is no good if you freak every time you see a corner or freeze up on descents. Master all these skills with our guide on p40. 20-MINUTE POWER MEALS There’s no excuse for troughing a sugar and additive-laden ready meal when we have these quick and satisfying recipes for you on p99. BEAT STOMACH TROUBLE Nothing kills a PB faster than ending up doubled over with tummy cramps. Dave Scott shares his tips for avoiding race-day gastric distress on p102. Subscriber update: From the 16/08/2017 we will be moving our customer service operations. This will not affect your magazine subscription and you don’t need to take any action. From this date your personal data together with any other data relating to your subscription will…

We take gear testing seriously – you need to know that the kit you buy will help you reach your goals in all three disciplines and work as hard as you on race day. Our test team is made up of experienced triathletes, cyclists and runners who test each product that appears in 220 to the max during training and racing, rating it honestly for performance and value. ROB BANINO Former 220 deped Rob has been riding and racing bikes on and off-road for over 20 years. September goals Scheduling in plenty of off-road sportives for the upcoming off-season. JACK SEXTY A serious triathlete since blowing his student loan on a bike, sub-2hr Olympic athlete Jack moved to Ironman last year in Lanza. September goals To qualify for the 2018…

Strategic use of caffeine has long been associated with boosting fat burning, improving focus, lowering perception of fatigue and generating greater power. So all good. Well maybe not according to recent research out of Brazil, which showed that caffeine prevents positive changes in muscle associated with high-intensity training. Rodents were split into groups that ranged from no activity and sipping water to intense running on 8mg caffeine per kilogramme bodyweight. Professor Nelson Viera and his team observed that caffeine blunted the activity of two key enzymes involved in muscular contraction. They also analysed the rats’ cardiac muscle, which revealed caffeine prevented positive growth. Both of these are clearly detrimental to performance, though the researchers highlight that chronic caffeine use elicits a worse effect than acute use, i.e. solely for racing…

“You don’t see Roger Federer soaking up the pre-match atmosphere” TIM HEMING Cutting through the spin of tri to address the issues that matter, Tim is also a sports journalist for The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. Daniela Ryf is the most dominant woman in Ironman since Chrissie Wellington. If she stays healthy and motivated, the two-time world champion and course record holder in Hawaii looks capable of far surpassing the Brit’s four Kona titles. Another legend of the island, six-time winner Dave Scott, believes she earns around $2million a year. And with men’s long-distance tri in rude health thanks to Jan Frodeno, and the anticipation of Javier Gomez and Alistair Brownlee going long, the Swiss is the women’s torchbearer. Yet having triumphed at Challenge Roth in Germany…

As the ISM (Innovative Saddlemaker) name suggests, this Florida-based brand have long been pioneers in saddle design, with the patented nose-less design of the Adamo being chosen by countless Ironman athletes. It may look uncomfortable, but the design offers sit-bone support, reduces pressure on the soft tissue areas and promotes blood flow. Plus, it provides plenty of airflow. The brand new PN3.0 has been created with input from ISM’s pro riders, who include Ironman world champions Mirinda Carfrae, Leanda Cave and Pete Jacobs, and also 2012 Olympic champ Nicola Spirig. Although featuring a slightly wider 120mm rear end and updated shape, the design is built-on ISM’s Performance Narrow chassis, which aims to offer comfortable thigh and hamstring clearance for enhanced rider body movement (ISM target this for riding fast into…