Focus on balanced life breeds success
A COMMITMENT to plan training around life has led to six triathletes winning state honours.
Under the tutelage of Adam Beckworth, the halfdozen athletes claimed series honours in the 2XU Victorian Triathlon Series.
The series was held over summer, with just four races run before COVID-19 put an end to the event in February.
Among the winners was former St Joseph’s GFL captain David Fawkes, who showed good improvement over the summer to win the 30-34 age group.
“(Fawkes) started placing after training with us and just getting some guidance from us,” Beckworth said.
“He had a knee injury when he came to us and we helped him balance it out better and he has got rid of that knee injury.
“He was able to not always thrash himself in training and train a bit smarter.”
Youngster Jacob McKie claimed the 13-14 age group title, Anthony Goss 35-39, Mark Clayton 55-59 and Mick Varker 60-64.
Unsurprisingly, Beckworth Racing took out the club championship.
Pharmacist Millie Chapman saluted in the 25-29 age group, balancing her training and racing with study to become a doctor.
Beckworth said building training into a normal life was part of his program.
“(Chapman) fits in parttime work as a pharmacist, studying medicine and doing her training so she has a lot on her plate,” Beckworth said.
“It’s about integrating your training into life, not the other way around.
“So therefore training smarter, having a really good balance, that’s the trick to it all.”
With races on hold until the new year, Beckworth staged virtual training and online catch-ups with his athletes to keep them sharp.
The 2XU series is set to begin again on January 17, with the athletes all ready to ramp up training again.