Spoilt by TYR 5 days ago I will now be racing in the TYR Hurricane Category 5 wetsuit. This wetsuit is absolutely amazing. The technology is fantastic and so is the fit.

The tapered neck is a winner. Nice and low, and unlike other suits with low necks, this one actually seals, and very well.

The panel layout is simply genius. Adding bouncy in all the right places and flexibility where you need it most. Sure, part of the plan is to add bouncy but unlike a lot out there, TYR has taken this one step further and has paid attention to body position. By placing certain panels in certain places, and by using a combination of various thicknesses TYR really have developed the perfect wetsuit. TYR have called this clever bit of technology the 360° Core Stabilization System and it goes a little something like this:

“Five core stabilization panels precisely target the muscle groups to elevate the swimmer ensuring optimal body position and preservation of core strength over the long-term of the swimming race.”

Most wetsuits on the market certainly help with bouncy but how about shape?

Another thing that stood out for me was the Form Fitting Wrist Cuffs – “Multi-stretch cuffs at the wrist allows powerful strokes while keeping water from entering the suit.”

Also, the Free R.O.M Zones work very well too. These are panels specifically placed eliminating constriction and allowing the swimmer to achieve a long reach while placing no strain on the shoulder.

And the final stand out:

Quick Release Ankle Cuffs – “Tapered legs allow the ankle of the suit to reverse and open for a quick and effortless removal during T1”

I guarantee you that none of the above is any form of marketing, smoke or mirrors. It’s genuine and it seriously makes a significant difference.

I actually needn’t say anything more. The TYR Hurricane Category 5 is phenomenal. It will make you swim faster. What more do you want?

Saucony ProGrid Kinvara coming to South Africa in December 2010. I will be doing a review on these shoes very soon. Super amped.

As a triathlete training for 10km isn’t always easy. Here are 5 interesting ways to make your training a little more exciting and your 10km that much faster.

1. The muscular training. This is sessions of 6-10 km in distance on a hard surface.

Which means either the track or asphalt.

Ideally, a range from 1 – 6 minutes of effective running and recoveries about half of the time you have run on the previous repeat.

For example if you do 20 x 1 lap on the track in 80 seconds each – go for 40 seconds recovery

2. The “under distance” work. This is the mile-repeats / 1000-meter-repeats. On track or dirt/soft surface.

These should be a total of 4 – 6 km in the whole session.

The recoveries as long as the time run.

If you do 3 x 1.5 km repeat in 5 minute each, go for 5 minute recovery. Aim for your 5 k race pace.

3. The progressive 10k trainings, with short recoveries.

In these sessions, what you do is to have very short recoveries, from 15 – 30 seconds. For example you start a certain distance and finish in 1 minute.

The next time, run 0.5 seconds faster. Continue running a little bit faster on each one.

What you do here is to start off your “aerobic engine” (the endurance system) and slowly glide into more anaerobic (work with lactate acid in your legs).

This helps the finish of a 10k.

4. The pyramids. This adds another element to the muscular training.

You play with speed and this helps your muscles adapt to the demands of the 10k.

For example 30 seconds – 1 minute – 2 minute – 3 minute – 4 minute – 2 minute – 1 minute – 30 seconds of running.

5. The longer, off track/soft surface 10k/half marathon stuff.

This work should always be on increasing speed.

Which means – the last repeat faster than the one second to last, which was faster than the one before.

Typical sessions are 5 times 6 minute with 2 minute easy jog in between.

And there you have it. Go have fun with it!