Aero Gains Without the Back Pain

Good morning everyone,

I’m sitting here kind of wishing I wasn’t writing and I was going to bed. After a long day of training, sometimes it’s a bit tough to get settled on the ol’ keyboard. I suppose AI could write this, but that wouldn’t be great for me. Can AI do a triathlon? Damn, I hope not!

In today’s edition:

• A full preview of the Arena Games Championship 🏁

• Is staying aero a pain in the back? We’ve got help with that! 🧘

• And will breathing this way make you faster? 😤

Thank you for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

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QUICK NEWS

📺 PTO show: The Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) has renewed a broadcast deal with beIN SPORTS which will see the PTO’s flagship Tour events be broadcasted live in over 36 countries in MENA, Asia, and North America. [PTO]

🥇 Exceptional Eastbourne: For an unprecedented 3rd year in a row, the Eastbourne Triathlon has been recognized as the “best Triathlon event” by Triathlon England. Started in 2011, the event has grown into one of the biggest events on the British triathlon calendar. [Sussex Express]

🆘 Help wanted: Volunteers are still needed at Ironman 70.3 Virgina’s Blue Ridge. The race is on June 4th. [WSLS 10 News]

RACE WEEKEND

Arena Games Triathlon World Championships, London

Women: Gina Sereno (USA) and Zsanett Bragmayer (HUN) will be watching each other closely as they enter the competition with wins in Arena Games Montreal and Sursee, respectively.

• Australia’s Sophie Linn, second in Montreal, comes into the event with some momentum after a recent 5th at the New Plymouth World Cup.

Of course, the finals always bring out the best, and with the addition of current World Series Champion Beth Potter (GBR), and last year’s AGT London Champion, Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA), the competition receives a whole new dynamic.

Tempo’s Take: In the final, we should see the likes of Beaugrand, Bragmayer, and Linn leading out of the water. But Potter should be able to close any gap on the bike, setting up an incredible run battle between her and Beaugrand.

• Sereno is the wildcard in this event as she has the run legs to fight with Potter, she will just need to use her Arena Games experience to ensure she is there.

No doubt there will be some serious smoke coming out of the curved treadmills!

Men: Chase McQueen (USA) and Henri Schoeman (RSA) are the odds-on favorites to take the title. But again, given the allure of the finals, there are a few others hoping to snag the win from the frontrunners.

• Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger (FRA) will be one to watch from behind, as his incredible run comeback in Sursee had him finishing just behind Schoeman.

Notable finals competitors include last year’s Arena Games London champion Justus Nieschlag (GER), WTS medalist Jawad Abdelmoula (MOR), and South African speedster, Jamie Riddle.

Tempo’s Take: The overall series battle will certainly be between Schoeman, and McQueen. They are both similar athletes with get-out-front race plans. Will Schoeman’s experience shine through? Or will McQueen’s upstart energy win the day? Look for these guys to have an absolute battle on the final run.

• They’ll have plenty to deal with other than themselves. Nieschlag is coming off a big win at Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote. But is this racing too fast for the long-course convert?

And speaking of long-course, the current Ironman champion Gustav Iden is in London looking for Olympic points and a decent result. But he hasn’t made it easy for himself…

✈️ Flight troubles caused him to miss the pre-race briefing, and he will start the race five seconds behind his competitors!

Date: Saturday, April 8th, 4:30 PM local time, 12:30 PM EST

Watch: Tune in to Super League on their website or YouTube for a free live stream of the race.

Full start lists.

Other races

World Triathlon Asian Triathlon Cup Dexing, China

Full start lists.

POLL

RACE HIGHLIGHT

Mark Wilson Presents - OnondagaMan

A while back we spoke with race director Mark Wilson about his thoughts on the “state of the sport” as a medium-sized endurance event organizer.

His take was that people are still flocking to triathlons and events like his, even against the headwinds of the pandemic and a possible recession.

Now, Mark is happy to announce a new middle-distance event just outside Syracuse, New York. The Onondagaman Triathlon will take place on June 1st, 2024 at Jamesville Beach Park.

Highlights of the event include,

• Middle distance triathlon - 1.2 mile swim/56 mile bike/13.1 mile run 🏁

• Aquabike 🚴

• No time cutoff ⏱️

• A relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere 😄

Check out the race page here - but don’t delay, the event is only open to 300 participants!

Would you like to partner with The Tempo and reach our incredible audience? Reply to this email and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

TRAINING THOUGHT

Aero Gains, No Pain

In triathlon, being able to cheat the wind and stay as aerodynamic as possible on the bike is key to reaching your goals and flexing your bike splits.

But staying in the tucked position for long periods can be HARD, and even hurt your run!

Here are 3 easy ways to increase mobility for a better aero experience 👇

Piriformis stretch 

• The piriformis is a small glute muscle that helps stabilize the Pelvis. If it is working properly, its will be a quick trip to back-painsville!

Scapula pushups 

• Based on my biceps, I’m definitely not a pushup person, but these scapula pushups are guaranteed to help ensure the shoulders are rock solid for the long-ride position.

Body saw

• OK, this one is pretty hard, but a little pain with this is a lot better than shoulder pain during a race!

Are you an expert and want to be featured in The Tempo? Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you ASAP

FAVOURITES

⚖️ Unequal coverage: Despite an incredibly dynamic and thrilling women’s race at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, it appears the coverage of the event was not quite there. Triathlon Magazine Canada did a deep dive on their metrics from their Oceanside coverage and found the engagement to be lacking. But with a sport that prides itself on parity, why is there a discrepancy? [Triathlon Magazine Canada]

✍️ Lessons from Lawrence: In her first YouTube, pro triathlete Holly Lawrence takes us through her season-opening race at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. She doesn’t mince her words in what she describes as a disappointing outing. Get the full race report and unique insights from her channel. [Holly Lawrence/YouTube]

⚽ IronCoach: Luis Enrique is a Spanish soccer legend, having played many years with Real Madrid and Barcelona, then as a coach, winning a UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona in 2015. But he is also an endurance sport athlete and Ironman. His endurance race resume is almost as extensive as his footballing one. [The Sun]

😮‍💨 Breathe better: What is the diaphragm? And can it help you run faster? The NYT looks at a breathing technique that may help you carry more oxygen, and ultimately train and race quicker! [New York Times]

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• Expert analysis: How do smartphones affect performance? A breakdown with Nate Wilson.

• That Triathlon Life gives back to future pros.

• How Kaylee Slade manages pro triathlon training and vet school.

• Expert analysis: Are you making the four most common nutrition mistakes.

• Expert analysis: How to nail your Ironman training nutrition.

LATEST EDITIONS

• Triathlon on the cheap? And conquer cold water with these tips!

• Are you at risk for a running injury? Plus: Oceanside preview.

• Can scrolling screw your race? And kiwis dominate World Cup.

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