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A Preview of the Powerful Paralympics
Paralympic preview, a game changing swim drill, and protein during training
Matthew Sharpe
August 30, 2024
In partnership with
Good morning everyone,
It’s been a minute since I’ve enjoyed a real open water swim. But yesterday I was able to jump into a crystal clear lake and swim without the confines of the walls or lane lines. It was an incredibly freeing experience, and it reminded my of one of the main reasons why I enjoy triathlon; the opportunity to enjoy nature.
I’ve got a few more days here on Vancouver Island to enjoy the open water offerings and no doubt I’ll be taking full advantage!
In today’s edition:
🥇 A preview of the powerful Paralympic triathlon races.
🏊♀️ How this one swim drill can help you nail your stroke timing, and a new level of performance.
💪 And should you be taking protein during training?
Thanks 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.
HEADLINES
Paralympic Glory On Tap in Paris
World Triathlon
What is it: On Wednesday, the 17th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games kicked off in Paris. And, in the wake of exhilarating triathlon races at the Paris Olympics, there is an exceptional energy that will no doubt propel the Paratriathletes to incredible medal-winning performances.
Iconic Course: Similar to the Olympic triathlon, the Paralympic course will occur amongst an incredible Parisian backdrop based around the Pont Alexandre II bridge.
The athletes will dive into the Seine before jumping on their bikes and heading up the iconic Champs Elysees. On each bike or handcycle loop, they will be in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
After T2, the athletes will navigate a quick “transition” section before completing three run or wheelchair loops around the iconic Grand Palais.
One thing to watch for in the coming days is if the swim course will be changed. At the Olympics, the current was flowing at an incredible rate of >1m/s and the athletes were seen battling the intense upstream current.
The idea of doing a modified point-to-point swim is being floated (sorry, had to) in order negate the effects of the current. This could see the athletes start the race just beside the Louvre!
Categories: All of the athletes will complete a non-drafting sprint distance event of 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run but will compete in three different classes:
Standing - includes PTS2, PTS3, PTS4, and PTS5 categories.
Wheelchair - PTWC
Visually impaired - PTVI
Ones to watch: The past champions will be out in full force including Jetze Plat (men’s PTWC), Lauren Steadman, and Grace Norman (women’s PTS5).
Tempo’s take: Unlike the Olympics there really hasn’t been much chatter about the Seine’s water quality. This could soon change as the athletes are slated to take part in course familiarizations on Saturday. If the familiarization is canceled then we could see another early race day morning decision from World Triathlon on whether they can compete in a triathlon, or whether it will be a duathlon like last year’s test event.
On a less-than-ideal note, the weather in Paris heading into the weekend calls for rain, which could derail the chance of having a full triathlon.
Racing-wise there is going to be some incredible battles on the course. In particular we’ll be watching the all-out battle between the US women in the PTS2 category.
Reigning Paralympic gold medalist Alyssa Seely was caught up in a heated qualifying battle with Hailey Danz and Melissa Stockwell and after the qualification period closed it looked like she would be missing out on defending gold in Paris.
But a last minute invitation from World Triathlon has ensured an epic showdown on the Seine!
Here’s to some incredible performances, and hopefully more epic finishes like the insane sprint finish in the women’s PTWC category race in Tokyo!
When to watch: Originally scheduled over two days, it has just been announced that all the athletes will compete on Sunday September 1st starting at 8:15AM CEST.
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FAVORITES
💪 Protein during workouts: Some sports nutrition products tout the benefits of adding protein to your sports drink. But will consuming protein during your workout help you perform better? What about recovery? This article from My Sports Science has the definitive answer to both questions. [My Sports Science]
🏊Swim drill success: The ability to nail the timing of kick while taking a stroke can be a game-changer for unlocking a new level of swim performance. This drill can show you how to do it well! [GoSwimTV]
🤪 Crazy triathlon stories: We all have at least one crazy/dumb triathlon story. And this hilarious Reddit thread is an opportunity to share some of the wild and humbling triathlon experiences. Our most embarrassing experience? The time we left our gear bag on a bus pre-race expecting it to magically show up in transition! [Reddit]
REEL TIME
Could changing your cycling cadence lead to performance improvements? For starters, conserving more energy will help!
QUICK NEWS
T100 men’s start list: A bumper crop of triathlon talent will hit the beaches of Ibiza at next month’s T100 race. Sam Laidlow (FRA), Marten Van Riel (BEL) and Alistair Brownlee (GBR) highlight the men’s start list. [TRI247]
NCAA Triathlon Championships: The women’s NCAA Triathlon Championships will take place on November 9th in Clermont, Florida.
Findlay’s double threat: IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships podium finisher Paula Findlay (CAN) has been selected to compete at the upcoming UCI World Championships in the Time Trial.
Norwegian nadir: Challenge Sandefjord in Norway was bizarrely canceled last weekend after locals protested the race by driving on the course. [Triathlon Magazine]
YOU SAID
After the final edition of IRONMAN Canada, here’s what readers had to say about their favorite race memories.
Reader: I worked as a draft Marshall for a number of years in the late 90’s/early 00’s. I completed this years edition as my first… and apparently last… time on the Penticton course. Really disappointed with the decision to move the event.
Reader: Raced it in 2011. Loved Penticton, a town very similar to Taupo, here in NZ. I felt it was a true IM course...1 lap swim, 1 lap bike with lots of climbing and an out/back run. How IM races should be. Shame to see it go, and one of my fondest race memories. I'm glad I was back there a few years later for the ITU World Long Distance Champs.
Reader: I raced it in 2002, 2003 and 2006 while also spectating it in 2004. For me that race race during that era represents the gold standard of what an Ironman race should be. The course was scenic, moderately difficult, and had a history behind it. The bike wasn't a bunch of laps through industrial parks but a proper loop through the mountains. The run course along the lake was scenic and had tons of spectators. More than anything the community support was second to none. I don't honestly think we'll ever see a race that special again in this sport. Times have changed. Also need to mention how great of an announcer Steve King was.
Tempo: Steve King is truly one of the greats!
Reader: It was one loop for the swim, the bike, and the run when I did it. I loved climbing Richter Pass and the long descent after Yellow Lake. I have recommended this race to all my Ironman friends and I am sad to see it discontinued.
Reader: We are going to miss the idyllic Okanagan setting, gorgeous single-loop bike course, outstanding fans and volunteers, and the longstanding tradition of wrapping up summer in one of the most beautiful locations in the world.
Reader: 1991 IM Canada was titled “Welcome Home to the Military” with a celebration to the Us And Canadian Armed Forces after Desert Storm. Navy SEAL Mark Curtis was the first make finisher in 9:16 and top 20 overall with 6 finishing under the 10 hour time.
Reader: Raced it a number of times, and absolutely loved the climb to Yellow Lake, and getting back into town towards the end of the run, with a million people more than making up for the extremely lonely stretches along the lake before that. Great fields, fantastic spectators and an iconic course - always a high point of the year.
Reader: It was my first IM in 1996. I have several memories from that race. As we drove over from Vancouver, seeing all the beautiful mountains I began thinking “this Florida boy hasn’t trained for these”. Running out of T2 my wife sees my electrolytes fall out of my rear pocket, gets them and has newly friended local drive around the course looking for me. After the turn around I see her yelling out “l got your electrolytes!”. I yelled back “thanks, I don’t need them”, not realizing all the effort they put in finding me. When I heard a big groan from the crowd around her, I knew that was the wrong answer. After I went by, they headed to the start line beer garden. By the time I finished, I ended up needing to drive her new friends home. Finally, I remember what a friendly place Penticton was and the wildly enthusiastic crowds along the course.
Reader: Starting with the spectacular scenery around Penticton and driving through BC to/from the race. I love the one loop IM courses and the bike route makes the event. Got to change a flat at Yellow Lake in a hail storm. So, so sorry to see race shut down.
WEEKEND RACES
IRONMAN 70.3 Zell Am See
Another round of the IRONMAN Pro Series sees German 70.3 stars Nicolas Mann and Jan Stratmann go head-to-head, while Kat Matthews (GBR) will be looking to back up a strong podium at last weekend’s European Championships. But she’ll have the formidable Grace Thek (AUS) to contend with!
IRONMAN 70.3 Poznan
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