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Can Training with an Altitude Tent Elevate your Performance?
Plus: A primer for this weekend's PTO European Open
Matthew Sharpe
May 02, 2023
Good morning everyone,
I’m writing this from the plane heading back from a fantastic weekend at the St. Anthony’s triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was a great race experience, and I even stayed on a boat for the weekend, a first for me! Once again, I’d love it if you could please help us by filling out our community survey. Your contribution helps us a ton and is greatly appreciated.
In today’s edition:
Could altitude tents be better than training in the mountains? ⛰️
A primer for this weekend’s hotly anticipated PTO European Open 🏎️
And did really do an Ironman in the middle of New York City? 🗽
Thank you for being here.
-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor
Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.
ONE BIG THING
PTO US Open: A First Test of the Year for the Professional Triathlon Startup
PTO
What is it: The Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) is hosting the first event of its 2023 tour this Saturday, May 6 in Ibiza, Spain.
Why it matters: The PTO’s goal is to “professionalize and promote the sport of triathlon,” and essentially become the PGA/ATP of Triathlon. The European Open is a huge opportunity to showcase the best athletes in the world competing head-to-head in front of a global audience.
But it hasn’t been the easiest build-up to the event. The 2022 PTO US Open champion, Collin Chartier (USA), recently tested positive for a banned substance (EPO) and has cast a shadow over the integrity of top athletes.
The PTO has also been forced to cut back on its prize money, and some of its most-popular athletes have decided to skip the event entirely.
The event will still showcase incredible athletes and performances, highlighted by the return of Olympic and Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno and a stacked women’s race featuring most of the top-ranked athletes.
The races kick off Saturday May 6th at 8:15AM CEST. PTO has a guide on how to watch here.
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WEEKEND RACES
Duathlon’s Rule the Weekend
St. Anthony’s Triathlon - St. Petersburg, USA
One of the classic American triathlons was changed to a Duathlon due to heavy winds impacting the ability of boats to monitor the swim. The new format was a 2km run, 40km bike, and 10km run.
Women: Paula Findlay (CAN) won the triathlon last year, and used a strong bike/run to take the Duathlon win this year. Paula will head to Ibiza, Spain for next week’s PTO European Open.
🥇 Paula Findlay (CAN)
🥈 Vitoria Lopes (BRA)
🥉 Lisa Becheras (USA)
Men: One of the most dangerous runners in the sport, Jason West (USA) ran, rode, and then ran away even more, taking a strong win.
🥇 Jason West (USA)
🥈 Matthew Sharpe (CAN)
🥉 Nick Quesnet (RSA)
World Triathlon Duathlon World Championships - Ibiza, Spain
One of the many events of the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships Festival to continues through this week.
It was a big weekend for Duathlon as former Triathlon World Champion Mario Mola (ESP) wowed the home crowd and claimed the Duathlon World Title for Spain. Perennial long-course triathlon champion Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR) took home the Women’s World Championship title.
TRAINING THOUGHT
Tales From the (Altitude) Tent
Loren Nelson is a professional long-course triathlete from Redcliff, Alberta, Canada. Loren wanted to experiment with altitude training, but without having to leave the comfort of his home! He tells us about the good, bad, and learnings of his recent experience training with an altitude tent.
Why the altitude tent?
Diving into altitude tents seemed like a great option to be in the comfort of my home with my regular routine, getting the benefit of altitude. I have continually worked on every little detail as I can while keeping training, sleep, and nutrition as the primary focus in day-to-day operations.
What was your goal?
My main goal of this experiment with the altitude tent was to push myself slightly more without really knowing it and giving my body a boost in performance. Looking at the option of spending 4-8 weeks once a year at altitude in the mountains seemed like a far-fetched plan looking at my current lifestyle day-to-day.
Dogs sold separately
What was your protocol?
1️⃣ I started at about 3000ft for 2 nights.
2️⃣ 5000ft for 2 nights.
3️⃣ then gradually went up 500-1000ft every night or two until reaching 10,000ft around day 10.
Once settled at 10,000ft (~3048m)
I spend at least 12 hours per night inside the tent at 10,000ft until I leave for a race ⏳
8-11hrs per night 🛌
I’ll try and spend 1-4 hours during the day ensuring I get at least 12/24 hours in the altitude tent ⛺️
Why Loren thinks going by feel is so important.
How the tent has helped him break new barriers.
Loren’s extensive breakdown of the pros and cons of training with an altitude tent.
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
🤔 Crime and punishment: The fallout from the Collin Chartier doping scandal continues. But its created an opportunity to work toward a cleaner future. This video from professional triathlete Jackson Laundry has a unique take on how stronger financial penalties could deter drug cheats. [Jackson Laundry/YouTube]
🍎 TriNYC: An Ironman in downtown New York City? Somehow it happened! Triathlete has a great write-up on the infamous Ironman in the big apple. [Triathlete]
🧂 Coffee chaos: Whole milk? Almond? Two pumps of vanilla? What about salt?!? According to the authors at Bon Appetit, you might want to try a pinch in your next brew. [Bon Appetit]
TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE
Expert analysis: How to nail your Ironman training nutrition.
That Triathlon Life gives back to future pros.
Expert analysis: Are you making the four most common nutrition mistakes.
Expert analysis: How do smartphones affect performance? A breakdown with Nate Wilson.
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