Once Inspired

Technique is vital, training efficiently and maintaining a good technique while racing  is important and will save youtime. It’s also useful for keeping injuries away.

Photo: Larry Rosa

It’s the age-old question that bugs every triathlete: how should you focus your training? As we head into the new season, most of us will be planning (or will have planned) the months to come. A lot of us will cram in as many miles as possible, while others will go for a more structured approach to their training.

But whichever path you choose to take, it’s worth heeding the advice of Pete Jacobs. Eighth at Kona and one of the fastest swimmers in Ironman (he was third out of the water at Hawaii in 50:03), the Aussie has honed his training to ensure he gets the optimum return from the miles that he puts in.

“It’s about technique,” Pete said, in a recent interview with Triathlete Europe. “It doesn’t matter how many kilometres in the pool you do, you’re still not going to swim quicker than someone who has a better technique.

“It’s not about strength. Look at the chicks in the ITU; they’re tiny. But they out swim the guys through having better technique: they’re more streamlined.

“I keep telling some of the guys I hang around with to work on technique in the pool.

“They have done thirty, forty, fifty kilometres in the pool in a week and I jump in the pool and I can still swim beside them and they hate me! I say to them ‘aren’t you thinking about every single stroke?’ and they say ‘well, not really, no.’ But I am, and that’s the difference.”

And Pete’s focus on technique goes beyond the pool.

“It’s the same with running. Running and swimming are definitely things where I’ve read and become a lot more interested in technique. I’ve really noticed the difference – it’s become easier.

“With less training I’m going quicker just because I’m thinking more about technique.

“It’s a more efficient way to train. I enjoy it more. I go out and run two-and-a-half hours and be thinking about my stride nearly every stride. I enjoy that. I enjoy working towards that change and working towards a better stride, a better stroke and being comfortable on the strike.”

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