The Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) national team have now finished their major competitions for 2009 and are winding down before beginning the build-up to their 2010 campaigns. The athletes return to the national training center in Zuoying, Kaohsiung this week as they begin the next phase in the build-up to the 2010 Asian Games.
I will provide a regular update mainly focused on the athletes I am working with on a day-to-day basis. I will have direct input into the training of 5 athletes in the next phase. When applicable I will provide information on all 12 athletes and what the younger athletes are doing in their training.
Over the next two weeks training will be primarily focused on technique and improving efficiency. They will have two races; Giant Cup Cycle Criterium (Oct. 31st) and the K-Swiss Taroko Half Marathon (Nov 7th). The cycle race will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about high intensity pack racing which is a crucial part of ITU elite triathlon events. The size of the pack, surges and intensity of this race will be at a higher level than what they have experienced in Asia Cup Triathlon races. As four of the athletes are sponsored by Giant it give them a great opportunity to support and thank their sponsors. Also some of the athletes are sponsored by K-Swiss and are looking forward to finishing off their season with the K-Swiss Taroko Run Race. Its a fun race for the athletes, but knowing how competitive they are, they wont be holding anything back on race day.
So what will be the main areas we will focus on with regards technique and improving efficiency? With regards swimming we will be improving balance in the water, timing of movements, streamlining and how to get the most power out of each stroke with the least amount of effort. Sounds easy, but requires a lot of repetition of very basic movement patterns. Cycling we will be looking at linear (up and down) vs. lateral (Side-to-side) motion of the leg, bike position, where the athletes apply force in each pedal stroke and reducing excess motion while riding. Aerodynamics isn't so important for ITU racing as it is to non-drafting races such as (Ironman or age group triathlons). Running is the weakest area of the national team and with athletes able to run 30minutes for 10km off the bike in international races this will be a main focus for many of the athletes. Drills will be incorporated to improve the efficiency of each athletes running style, body position, symmetry between left and right arms and legs, hip position, how the foot lands, and toes off and being able to relax muscles to reduce the energy required for every running step. Running speed is a product of stride length and stride rate. We will be focusing on stride rate first and then developing the strength and power to have an efficient long stride.
Also in the next two weeks I will be reviewing goals and plans for next year with the athletes. I will be presenting training programs to them through a web-based coaching application so will be educating them on how to use the software and get the most benefit out of it. More on this in a later post. The athletes will also have some testing to complete which provides more information on the physiology and biomechanics as we put together a program that is performance focused for the athlete.
If you have any questions about the athletes training feel free to email me and I will include information on it in a future post.
