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What is anaerobic training and how can it help triathletes?

This describes short, high-intensity activity, where your body’s demand for oxygen exceeds the oxygen supply available. Instead, your body relies on energy sources stored in the muscles. All triathlons, right down to sprints, are almost entirely aerobic in nature, but a small amount of anaerobic training will help boost muscular power. In humans, anaerobic power is only available as short bursts of energy for no more than around 2mins. For triathletes, this might mean a final sprint, a push on the bike, or a last effort in the swim. With the correct training, anaerobic power capacity can be increased to improve athletic performance.

What does tapering mean exactly?

Tapering means reducing your volume of training, usually in the week leading up to a race. For more, check out our tapering piece online: bit.ly/2y92txB