ED’S LETTER
NO WORTHWHILE
SHORT CUTS
and draft ing. While those who resort to
asking you to back off . Experience
s the administrator of the
these short cuts may enjoy some offi ce
over time will inherently direct those
biggest local social media
high 5s, social media likes and even
who focus inwardly on how to improve
group in our sport, as well
prize money or trophies, they will always
weaknesses and get fi tter and faster.
as editor of the leading local tri mag,
feel empty when looking in the mirror
Changing bikes, coaches, heart rate/
I’m pretty much in conversion with
– and who knows what side eff ects will
GPS/power meters won’t get you there
triathletes, coaches, sponsors and
emerge over time.
any quicker than the simple, honest
events every single day.
It’s proving near impossible to
application of common sense. Follow
What has become increasingly
eff ectively police modern performance
those who are consistently on top and
apparent aft er 20 years of this daily
enhancing drugs, from hormone
you’ll realise that there’s no secret recipe.
dialogue, is that the sport rewards those
treatment to asthma or allergy
who consistently put in the hard
therapies, but those who do use
work without losing sight of what
them must live with the physical
they love in the context of a life
and emotional consequences.
outside of Swim Bike Run.
Draft ing on the other hand, as
Racing is relative. Who are you
easy as it is to self-govern, still
really racing, and which races
requires aggressive referees
are you prioritising? Train all year
or competitors to literally force
round with a focus on building
certain riders to ride under
and recovery phases, scheduled
their own steam. As simple
around important work, family
as 10m is to gauge, eff orts to
and social commitments, and
warn other riders most oft en
you’ll very likely stay healthy and
result in defi ant anger or pleas
motivated. Race all year round,
of innocence. One thing honest
however, and you’re bound to
riders can rest assured of is that,
fall off the wagon and either get
in time, they will grow stronger,
injured, lose motivation, and
while cheaters will suff er when
even your job or partner, as you
there’s nobody around.
wear yourself down and lose
We interviewed a few of the
touch with reality.
most successful amateurs for
What we see too oft en is
you to get to know in this issue.
athletes desperately seeking
Patient, hard work driven by hunger gave Ben Hoff man a huge
Each of them has spent close
equipment, supplements,
advantage coming into the IRONMAN African Championship.
to the benchmark 10 000 hours
coaches, diets or other quick
getting to this point in their sporting
Triathlon is a very attractive sport. It’s
fi xes that will provide the silver bullet and
careers. Each has been through
photogenic, sculptures great-looking,
deliver performances beyond what’s
disappointments, injuries, highs and
optimally healthy bodies, and we get
reasonable. Each of these tools has
lows. They all fully embrace that it’s their
to experience the joys of each of three
a relatively important role to play, but
personal passion for pushing themselves
sports. The problem is that with nearly
despite modern technology and exercise
that matters. The endless energy,
50% of long-distance race participants
science, fi tness and health gains remain
positivity and success in their chosen
being newbies, it’s clear that bucket
a simple process. Spend time adapting
careers is a by-product of perseverance,
listers attracted to the hype of the
your balanced, natural food-fuelled body
discipline and excellent physical health.
occasion expect the rewards cheaply
to the time and intensity you expect it to
Results will come in time, but the journey
and end up leaving unfulfi lled.
deliver on the big occasions – that’s it.
of self-discovery is enlightening in a way
Unrealistic, peer-based external
Social pace for long rides and
those who never experience their true
motives lead to injury, stress,
runs plus regular swimming for all-
outer limits will ever know.
disappointment and even cheating.
round recovery and technique in base
Here’s hoping that each of you enjoy
There are sophisticated ways to
phase, then speed intervals for shorter
the lifelong fruits of a deeply fulfi lling
polyfi lla the cracks of overtraining and
periods as you build towards races.
sport.
under achieving in the short term –
Always listen to your body, which
from modern medicines to relatively
communicates wonderfully to let you
harmless, yet still of course illegal drugs
know if it has capacity for more or is
Pau l Ingpen
www.facebook.com/SBRmag
10
www.instagram.com/paulingpen
[email protected]
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