How to find the optimum weight for triathlon

Usually people start running to lose weight, and then have to appear, depending on the involvement of other goals: to run a marathon to become ultramarafontsem or go to the triathlon. The optimum weight for marathon runners or ultramarafontsa will differ from the optimal variant for triathlete. With the run is more or less simple: the less you weigh, the less stress on the joints and muscles and the easier it will be to overcome long distances. But if those same rules work for a triathlon? For example, one of the coaches once said, you do not need much to lose weight for a triathlon, as it is sure to affect the navigation.

So today we will raise the question of the optimal weight for those who want to participate in competitions.

So, take two views: the famous triathlete Chris McCormack and his coach, athlete and nutritionist Brett Sutton.

Chris McCormack

When it comes to triathlon Ironman competitions, easier does not mean better. Most people interviewed by Chris, find the option "than weigh less, the better the results will be" correct. Triathlon this statement fits only 50%, since it is actually much more complicated.

For all the time of their training and competition, Chris noticed that how much he weighs in at certain times of training cycles or seasons, just as important, as are the cycles.

As a result, he came to the conclusion that too radical changes can harm the body.

Most athletes, endurance athletes, most of the time prefer to be closer to the mark «Less healthy" in the scale of the state, because they believe that this option will give a better return on the attached efforts. This is true, but you must remember that to pay for everything. Standard options - illness, injury or burnout. Just as the body does not like excess weight, it does not like and excessive thinness.

Chris McCormack went through the legendary Australian triathletes training system under the direction of Brett Sutton. In his opinion, the worst was not sufficiently thin, and slender - slim enough, and the more lean you were when basic training, so it was better. And the most striking proof that the system works, have been winning, that reaches many triathletes who have been through the system in 90 years. Especially great success this system had among female triathletes. While Chris felt that the less it weighs, the faster it is. Then he was young, he had a natural flexibility, speed and power that could give young body.

In short races, such as the Olympic distance triathlon, it usually works fine. But when he decided to go to a longer race, it turned out that the system is not working!

The first long race showed that the need to take control of their weight more deeply, and that it should not be limited to the usual rule of "the easier, the better." In the summer of 2003, new coach Chris McCormack came to the conclusion that it is too thin to withstand a long race. To overcome this distance, you need to not only be fast, you need to carry a sufficient "fuel" for the four-hour race! To do this effectively with empty tanks simply will not work. This is especially true of races with very difficult conditions.

Chris decided to take part in Kona in 2005. And then Mark Allen, mentor and idol of many triathletes, told him: "Mack, you must become fat by July, if you want to win the stake. You are competing almost year-round. With this approach, you do not win the race in Hawaii and not be able to maintain their sporting longevity. "

All this made him look more closely at the issue of weight, healthy options for its set, and how proper use of weight loss in order to arrive in time for the competition in its ideal weight for these races.

If you lose weight too quickly and do not have time to adapt to the new weight, all of which can lead to illness or loss of natural advantages.

As a result of study and sampling Chris and his team found the optimal weight, which would allow to successfully pass Cohn - 171 lbs (or about 64 kilograms).

So, thinness does not always mean that you will be able to pass the race faster. Each of us has an optimal racing weight and we all have to find him. You can feel it and understand, when you reach the desired mark on the scale. Be very attentive to your training, keep a journal and write down your feelings. And do not let yourself get stuck on the idea that lighter is better.

All this apparent excess weight actually protects you during your first practice and will build a strong body. Keep your heart rate at a low level and focus on strength training at the beginning of your training plan. Work on endurance will be then, and speed - is the final stage. By this time, you just get to the weight of his race.

Lower the weight at the expense of its fuel during exercise. Take your time with this. The body prefers a slow weight loss, and if you do it right, you will be able to maintain their shape much longer. A too rapid weight loss and lack of time to adapt may cost too much.

Brett Sutton

Brett Sutton also believes that the longer triathlons too little weight can be a problem. It is one thing - a short distance or running, and quite another - the long and difficult route with jogging, biking and swimming.

For example, too much weight loss has a negative impact on the results in swimming and cycling race, in any case, affect the general result. Yes, with this weight you will run faster for 1 minute, but lost 3 minutes on a bike.

Ironman - a sport of endurance rather than speed. If you have lost your strength because of illness, overtraining or diet, while Ironman literally just swallow you.

So, if you want to participate in a short race, and you need to run faster, then the rule is "the easier, the better" - for you! If during the race you need to go, turn the bicycle pedals and run, then make sure that you do not have too many hopes on his striding advantage.

Let's just say, if you look in the mirror without a shirt, and see every muscle - get in your car, not to spend the extra calories, go to the nearest supermarket and stock up on ice cream and chocolate. If you can clearly see the cubes press, although you do not, then you urgently need a cheesecake, since you already seriously approached the line! You'll see that at the time of participation in the Ironman, "a little more" much better than "a little less."