Once Inspired will be undergoing some changes. The duration of these changes has not yet been determined. The contact page however will remain functional should you have any queries.

Thanks

Nic

Massage serves several purposes, namely injury prevention and treatment, reducing muscle tension thereby improving range of movement, reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and it improves posture and alignment.

During heavy workouts muscles experience what some call micro-trauma. Micro-trauma refers to tiny muscle tears and even an increase in scar tissue if left untreated. Massage also helps stimulate lymphatic flow thereby removing metabolic waste.

It is important to stay with 1 therapist for your regular massages. They get to know your body and when something changes or something unusual appears they will be able to possibly forewarn you should you be heading down injury lane.

Massage should be periodized, and when you integrate it into your yearly plan, it will really reap huge benefits.

Massage should be scheduled before a day off or the day before a light “active recovery” session. This is how to effectively use massage as a key component in a microcycle. A deep massage the day before a key track session or bike interval session will leave the athlete feeling sluggish.

For self massage, foam rollers are effective to roll out the quads, IT bands and calves while a smaller ball such as a tennis ball are perfect for getting into glutes, adductors and soleus muscles. Just be careful not to exert too much pressure. It doesn’t mean that the more it hurts the better it works.

One of the real advantages of physical therapy that I find helpful is that it gives the athlete chance to reconnect body and mind.

Personally I see Melanie Brand. If you are in Cape Town and can get to Milnerton Medi clinic or the UCT Sports Science Institute be sure to give her a call. Her enthusiasm and talent has helped me tremendously. Her trigger point therapy is also a must.

Racing at world champs was an unparalleled experience. Beijing is a beautiful (and massive) place. The race venue was the same as the 2008 Olympic Games. The privilege of running down the blue mat and finishing under the Dextro Energy Triathlon, ITU World Championship, Beijing banner was probably the pinnacle moment.

On the Finish Line

The build up was just as epic. Once I got onto the plane it started to sink in. I have always wanted to represent my country in one way or another and here I was, off to Beijing to race at the world triathlon championships representing South Africa.

We stayed at the Sinopec Conference Centre which was certainly the best and closest accommodation to the race venue. Javier Gomes, the Brownlees, Helen Jenkins and David Haus are but a few of the many professionals that were rolling around at Sinopec, as it was referred to. (Sinpoec by the way is China’s version of Sasol)

Sinopec Conference Centre

A short walk around the corner and up the hill, behold, the Ming Tomb Reservoir, race venue to the 2500 participants. The ITU’s infamous blue mat stretched along the reservoir wall, and the entire length of the swim course. Lined with grand stands, TV screens and sponsors branding, this is what a world championship event is all about.

Ming Tomb Reservoir

The opening ceremony was also a wicked affair. A long walk through the streets of Beijing, the teams looked fit and funky in their kit. People packed the streets and were going mad. The army lined the barriers, the police played escort; I was looking for Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton or David Beckham. This fuss and attention can surely not be for us?

The crowds

Upon our arrival at the Beijing Changping Stadium we were greeted by a Chinese rock band. That may sound more like a comedy show but these guys were pretty talented and sang a few tunes in English. To be honest, I was blown away by the level of organisation of this ceremony.

Opening Ceremony

The racing took place over 3 days commencing with the Under 23 men’s race followed by the paratriathlon. The paratriathletes were amazing to watch and getting to know them was even better. It’s astonishing what you can learn from these people. It would certainly appear that adversity builds character.

Ozwald Kydd, by the way, is one of South Africa’s World Champions, winning the “above the knee” amputees category.

The following day it was the Elite men’s turn and I was rooting for fellow Saffa Richard Murray. Missing the first pack, it was very cool to see Richard working on the bike with none other than the multiple Ironman World Champ, Macca (Chris McCormack), who he then dropped in the run and finished a very respectable 30^th overall.

The best part of the race however was at the front (Sorry Rich). Those Brownlee brothers are ridiculous. Leading from the gun and driving the entire race from the front Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee are animals. In the end Alistair ran a sub 30 minute 10km to take an emphatic victory and the overall World Championship title.

There was some great racing to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my experience leading into the age group race.

The day arrived when it was time for the age groupers to check-in and rack. It was cold and rainy but no one was complaining. The vibe was great, and I racked my Ceepo Venom for the last time having sold it to a Brazilian.

The sky was clear, the wind had died and we had perfect conditions for racing. The Ming Tomb Reservoir was glassy and beautiful. You could sense that this was sacred land. There was something unique about the energy here; something ancient.

The course was long, as the times would suggest. The swim was certainly 100 – 200 metres longer. The bike was 1.6km longer as we were told by officials, and the run involved a small matter of a couple of hundred metres down the finish chute.

If someone were to ask me what the best part of my race was, I’d certainly say the bike course. Never in my life have I had so much fun riding a bicycle. It had everything, long straights, steep hills, twisty tight turns, long sweeping bends and even a little ramp for those brave enough, going fast enough.

I ended up achieving my goal and realizing a lifelong dream. The dream however is far from over. Once Inspired…

Are you concerned about the sewerage spills that happen at Big Bay beach?

This is your chance to make a stand!

Join a 30 minute peaceful protest – Sunday 27 March 11:00am -11:30am

The meeting regarding the status of Big Bay Beach was poorly attended this week and knowing that there are many people who care about the state of this beautiful beach, it would be good to show Alderman Ian Neilson and the City of Cape Town that there ARE indeed hundreds of concerned citizens.

The idea is to have all the interested groups present:  The Bloubergstrand/Big Bay home owners, The Life Saving club, kiters, surfers, bodyboarders, windsurfers, Eden on the Bay store owners, school children, boot camp clubs, dog walkers, cyclists, runners etc.
Make a banner and come either as an individual or as part of a group.

This will go a long way in increasing public awareness and it will only require 30 minutes of your time.

Please reply to this event on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/WOWees/138280929554003#!/event.php?eid=133257950079825 or send a return email to this address:  caroline@wowees.com

A significant gain in ITU’s television reach in 2010 from the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series underscores triathlon’s continued growth. This increase was achieved despite airing one less event in 2010 compared to 2009.

In all 556 hours of ITU’s events aired in 2010, up from 350 hours in 2009. Television contacts* also rose dramatically with 323-million per event in 2010 compared to 262-million contacts per event in 2009.

“People are drawn to triathlon because it’s exciting, looks spectacular on television and is a true lifestyle sport that is within everyone’s grasp, regardless of age or gender,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “Through increased television audiences and unprecedented participation at all levels, we can see that people relate to triathlon, which fuels the sport’s continual growth.”

Other highlights include:
- Broadcasts in 149 countries
- Live broadcasts in 24 countries
- 728,000 spectators on-site
- 21,000 athletes in mass-participation races

In 2011, ITU’s seven World Championship Series events will be broadcast live to a worldwide audience. Next year’s Series will include the official test event for the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 6-7 and will conclude with the Grand Final in Beijing-site of the 2008 Olympic Games-on September 10-11.

Triathlon has been on the Olympic Games programme since Sydney 2000. Earlier this month, paratriathlon was added to the Paralympic Games for Rio 2016.

Taken from http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com