Training Indoors is Boring But Very Effective

Together With

Good morning everyone,

My dog is currently watching me eat popcorn as I type this. He probably loves how as a triathlete I eat more than the average person because then he gets a few extra bits and bites during the day. If anything this sport is good for, it’s an excuse to eat more!

In today’s edition:

• Training indoors can be boring, but there are also loads of benefits! 🏠

• Inflation hits the race course, and unfortunately PB’s 🙄

• Injured? Sick? How much will it affect your big race? (it depends) 🤒

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. 

QUICK NEWS

🇹🇼 Huge field: A record field of 7000 athletes is confirmed for this weekend’s Challenge Taiwan middle and full distance races. Those aren’t rookie numbers! [Endurance.biz]

🌵 Tucson triathletes: The home of Mt. Lemmon, endless pools, and incredible trails. Tucson has always been a destination for world-class triathletes. Watch as a local news channel highlights key stakeholders in this training paradise. [KVOA News 4]

🤠 Bigger in Texas: The USA Triathlon Multisport National Championships is currently underway in Irving, Texas. National Champions will be crowned in multiple disciplines, and athletes will fight to earn spots at the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport World Championships in Townsville, Australia. [Endurance Sportswire]

🏆 Best of the Beehive: The 2021 Ironman World Championships was recently crowned “Event of the Year” at the Utah Governor’s State of Sports award. [Ironman]

🥐 Tri en Paris: Les inscriptions pour Le Garmin Triathlon de Paris sont ouvertes. L’evenment se déroulera les 24 et 25 juin en le Parc de la Villette. [BFM TV]

TOGETHER WITH FUELIN

Why these Ironman athletes trust Fuelin for their nutrition program

Fuelin’s nutrition performance program will take your performance to the next level.

But don’t take their word for it. Here’s what athletes are saying:

“I went from having an Ironman where my stomach had GI…Then switched to the Fuelin program with Scott and have been on the podium every race since.” - Andy Williams

“I’ve been using the Fuelin program now for the past 6 months and would highly recommend it to any athlete wanting to better their performance.” - Ben Stone

“I am really happy with the Feulin program. The nutritional advice is sound and is delivered via a very convenient app which integrates with Training Peaks and My Fitness Pal.” - Candy Perque Herlihy

Fuelin’s coaching can help you achieve your goals, no matter your skill level.

Sign up for the Fuelin nutrition coaching app from as little as $29 per month and see why these athletes love it. Sign-up today.

Would you like to partner with The Tempo and reach our incredible audience? Reach out to us today by replying to this email.

ONE BIG THING

Triathlon and Race Organizers Battling Increasing Costs

What is it: Inflation isn’t just at the grocery store. It’s also hitting your local triathlon.

• According to an article in the BBC, race event organizers including a company in Wales has seen their event costs increase 40% year over year.

Why it matters: The rising cost of living is affecting all aspects of life, and race organizers are starting to see it creep into their business.

• Hiring police for road closures, race t-shirts, and race food are all examples of items that increased in price recently. And race organizers can only assume so much of the cost.

Tempo’s take: In a sport already known for being pricey, people’s pockets may not be as heavy as they once were. Leading to fewer signups for organized triathlons, which adds to the woes of race organizers.

• Race organizers will need to continue to provide high-quality events, and ensure that they connect with their athletes as best they can.

In this environment, smaller triathlon race organizers like Mark Wilson may actually have an edge over their corporate competitors, given their high-touch and personal connections with the athletes. When Mark spoke to us earlier this year, he was signing up athletes in record numbers!

RACE WEEKEND

Ironman Texas, Challenge Gran Canaria, Infiniti Tri, Challenge Taiwan

Ironman Texas

The first big Ironman of the year will provide some great insight into who is coming into the season hot, and who might be peaking for a later race 👀

Women: Kat Matthews (GBR) is the heavy favorite coming off a stellar 3rd at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and an overall return from a devastating car crash while training.

• Jocelyn McCauley (USA) is coming off her own set of surgeries, and is most likely to challenge Matthews. Lauren Brandon (USA) and Danielle Lewis (USA) will also be fighting for the podium.

Men: The men’s race will feature heavyweights Joe Skipper (GBR) and Matt Hanson (USA) battling it out for the title. Canada’s Cody Beal could also sneak in for the win after a big winter of training.

Coverage: Watch the race live at 6:25 AM Texas time on Ironman Live.

Full start lists.

Challenge Gran Canaria

Women: Anne Haug (GER) will be tough to beat after an impressive start to the season at Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote. Ruth Astle (GBR) will be one to watch if Haug fails, and Svenja Thoes (GER) is a strong all-rounder. 

Men: Sam Laidlow (FRA) the runner up at the 2022 Ironman World Championship will ahve stiff competiton from former Ironman World Champion, Patrick Lange (GER). 

• Aaron Royle (AUS) will be ready to play spoiler, as will PTO stalwart Florian Angert (GER).

Coverage: A livestream of the race is found at the link here. Race starts at 8:00 AM local time.

Challenge Taiwan

The pros will be severely outnumbered at this race with over 7000 confirmed participants(!) as alluded to earlier.

• Caleb Noble (AUS) is the favorite in the men’s race, while Amelia Watkinson (AUS) is the projected winner in the women’s.

Infinitri Half Triathlon

PTO #1 ranked Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) should easily take the win here. While the men should see a battle between Miki Tagholt (DEN) and Josh Amberger (AUS).

TRAINING THOUGHT

Why I Train Indoors

Lionel Sanders is one of the best, and most well-known triathletes of the current generation. He’s know for his never-give-up attitude and his incredible story speaks for itself.

He’s been known for his epic training, which sometimes gets him in trouble. But over the years he’s learned a lot, and in his latest video, he talks about why he trains indoors. There’s a lot to unpack, but here’s a few wise takeaways:

Controlled Environment

• Lionel talks about how years ago he slipped on ice and rolled his ankle 6 miles from home. When you’re indoors if you slip and fall you’re VERY close to home. 

• In an indoor environment, the conditions can be dialed in. Lionel talks about his “Science Lab” where he has his temperature and his physiological testing equipment close at hand. The bathroom is usually pretty close as well!

Increased Specificity

• Whether on the indoor bike trainer, treadmill, or even swim flume, your effort can be totally controlled, and external factors like stoplights, wind, and the allure of the coffee shop won’t stop you from the perfect interval.

• Once the weather outside is >100F Lionel says that his training data becomes less reliable as the heat ratchets up the stress on the body.

• Speaking from experience, getting a flat tire in 5C/40F and rain is probably one of the more brutal hardships of training. Not a factor when you’re comfortably inside!

No Cars in Watopia

• Lionel also mentions that he has been hit by cars, which is a sad/scary reality of riding outdoors, and the outcome can often be fatal. The safest place to ride these days is definitely in the garage.

Check out the video to get his full insights:

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FAVOURITES

🩹 Injury impediment: Training for a big race but missed some training due to illness or injury? You might be OK, depending on when in the training cycle it happened. In this article, Sports Scientist Alex Hutchinson did a deep dive into a recent study of endurance athletes as they built towards a big event. [Outside Online]

🩺 The TriDoc is in: Dr. Jeffrey Sankoff is a physician and ace age group triathlete. He also hosts the very informative TriDoc podcast. In the latest episode he shows how physiological stress may act as a buffer against psychological stress, and gets into nutrition with coach Scott Tindal. [TriDoc Podcast]

💎 Tri pressure: We’ve all done it, signed up for a crazy challenge just based completely on peer pressure. This author takes us through the hilarious account of how she signed up for a triathlon with pretty much no training. But she proves with the right hype playlist, pretty much anything is possible! [Her Campus]

🐮 Calf clout: Physio Brad Beer shared a super interesting infographic showing how much bodyweight goes through key running muscles on each stride. And although the calf may be small, it can take incredible force! (until it doesn’t…) [Brad Beer/Instagram]

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.

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