Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 32

My Goal

in rogramme re to Tri P ining lete Da eks of tra odern Ath ith 12 we augural M the in t, year! W volved in letes this titive even athletes in rst compe iring triath novice their ? 90 asp odest 10 grown to completed From a m CISZ demy has enge and ll ICK MAR to Tri Aca to the cha ACH DER , the Dare O TRI CO ntly rose 2011 ARE T s rece HLETE D ur athlete DERN AT d them, o – BY MO behin there! t stopping they’re no and

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he 2013 Dare to Tri Academy has completed 12 weeks of training and many of the group did the 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon this past month. For some it was their ?rst Olympic distance triathlon ever, while for others it was their ?rst triathlon of the new season. The highlight of the past 12 weeks has been the fantastic weekend group training sessions. Having started from a moderate base, most athletes are now comfortably running 10km to 15km, riding 60km to 70km, and swimming 1.5km. Other highlights have been our workshops and Mini competition: • Swim Workshop – presented by TOTAL IMMERSION This workshop saw 50 triathletes take over the swimming pool at St Benedict’s School. New swimming skills were learnt and those that attended have a better understanding of how to swim the traditionally most feared leg of triathlon. Bike Workshop – presented by ALAN CARRINGTON Presented by an experienced triathlete, this workshop gave novices the low-down on bi ke maintenance, ?xing punctures during an event, and bike handling techniques. The group also had the opportunity to chat to and learn from two of South Africa’s legendary age-group champions, Robbie Coulson and Kenny Poole. Indoor Mini Triathlon As a ?nal preparation, we held a mini triathlon at Virgin Active in Bedfordview. The athletes swam for 20 minutes, followed by Coach Derick’s ‘rock and roll’ spinning class, then did a 5km run outdoors. 34 triathletes attended and all took the con?dence this session gave them into the 5150 Bela Bela.
ISSUE 50 SEPTEMBER 2013 / www.modernathlete.co.za

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MEET THE COACH

Modern Athlete Dare to Tri Coach Derick Marcisz has run 25 sub-2:30 marathons with a 42km PB of 2:17:17 and a 21km PB of 1:05:36. He can also boast a top-20 ?nish in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour race and a top-10 at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra. He has been involved in triathlon since 2000 and has competed in more than 80 triathlons and duathlons, at all distances from sprint to Ironman.

TRAINING PLAN GOING FORWARD
After two weeks of recovery training following the 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon, training will resume, with IRONMAN 70.3 in January 2014 as the main focus. We will also be targeting the new 5150 Africa Champs event in Germiston as an event to race as part of the build-up to 70.3. The 20-week programme starts on Monday 9 September.

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This is your last month to register for the Dare to Tri Academy, as we will close registrations at the end of September. You can sign up via the Modern Athlete website, www.modernathlete. co.za – just follow the Dare to Tri prompts. The once-off registration fee for the FULL programme is R500.

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Image: Courtesy Mark Cockroft & Sam Summerscales

Looking ahead, the Dare to Tri Academy will also host: • Training Triathlon at the Vaal River – This was one of our highlights of the 2011 Season. • Triathlon Training Camp – Three days of nothing but triathlon in Clarens in the Free State, come swim, bike and run in fantastic surroundings.