Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014

Ma race report Why not Tri Sign up today for the Modern Athlete Dare to Tri programme and make that commitment to do your first standard Olympic distance triathlon, then move on to the IRONMAN 70.3 – all with the help of our tried and tested training programme, under the guidance of our expert coach, alongside fellow aspirant Ironman athletes. Training starts this month! MEET THE COACH We asked Modern Athlete Dare to Tri coach Derick Marcisz a few questions… MA: What makes Dare to Tri such a unique programme? Derick: We understand that age-group triathletes have other commitments – most have a family and a job, and want a social life. We plan the programme accordingly, so it’s about training smarter, not harder! It’s about focused training to achieve results. Members start with distances that are achievable and the confidence gained in doing this takes them to the next level. The group dynamic is also fantastic: Complete strangers become friends because they share this desire to achieve a triathlon finish. MA: How do you feel as a coach seeing people finish their first race? W ith the 2014-2015 Modern Athlete Dare to Tri Programme kicking off on 1 July 2014, now is the time to sign up for this proven training programme to get you to the finishline of IRONMAN 70.3 early in 2015. Even if you read this later in July, you can still sign up and join the programme, which has grown from an initial pilot project of 10 athletes in 2011 to helping a couple of hundred athletes become IRONMAN finishers, and this past April we also had our first group stepping up from the 70.3 to the full IRONMAN. Derick: Nothing gives me more pleasure, and I’ve been THE DETAILS • • • Images: Courtesy Derick Marcisz & Dare to Tri Athletes • • The 2014/15 programme will run from 1 July 2014 to 31 January 2015. We take complete novices to their first finish at a standard Olympic distance race, then train for 70.3. The programme will also include TriRock Durban, which will take place at the beginning of October. The programme is aimed at triathletes in Gauteng who can participate in coached weekend group training sessions, but triathletes from all over SA can benefit from signing up for the programme by following it in their own time. (Weekday training is up to you, following the supplied training programme.) Each week, members receive an e-mail from Dare to Tri Coach Derick Marcisz (qualified TSA coach) reviewing the past weekend’s training and detailing the upcoming weekend’s programme, plus a full month’s programme at the beginning of each month. This year we’re introducing a ‘Performance Programme’ for those looking to improve on previous performances. So register at www.modernathlete.co.za. The cost is a once-off fee of R1000 for the full seven-month programme. Plus, we have our own distinctive training and racing kit available online! ISSUE 60 JULY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za 42 facebook.com/TriRockSA TriRockSA an athlete for almost 45 years! To know that I’ve been a part of that is fantastic. It’s what drives me to help others achieve what they think is impossible. Last year we had a member who lost over 50kg while training for IRONMAN 70.3 and seeing him finish brought a lump to my throat. MA: Do you have any personal goals in the next year or so? Derick: These days I compete mostly for fun, but I still like to achieve results! I would like to do a 5:45 for the 70.3 in East London in 2015. However, my greatest satisfaction would come from a 100% DTT finish record at all major events – TriRock Durban, Ironman 70.3 and Full Ironman. The Coach’s CV • • • • • • • Marathon PB of 2:17:17 6th place in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon 56km Top 20 finish in the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour. Competed in more than 90 triathlons and duathlons since 2000, from sprint distance to full IRONMAN. Represented SA in his age group at five World Triathlon and Duathlon Championships Completed 8 Half-Iron events with a best of 4:59. Current 5150 Bela Bela, 5150 Germiston and SA long-distance champ in 60-64 age-group. trirocksa# pinterest.com/TriRockSA

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 42