RACE INSIDER

Want to get the better of this popular 70.3 course? Then take the advice of top age-grouper and coach at Stafford Tri Club, James Jennings

How to smash Ironman 70.3 Staffs

The rolling start into Chasewater

makes for a superb swim experience. Hedge your bets by self-seeding correctly; swimming with those of similar ability will save energy expenditure, lower your stress levels and you’ll generally find your space pretty quickly. See session 1.

The exit from T1 can be bumpy,

take your time in the first couple of kilometres and ensure your nutrition is secure – it’s a must! The first 16km of the bike course is fairly technical so pick your lines into the corners and hold them, this is a fast course. From 16km onwards the course opens up onto wide rolling roads with stunning backdrops, aero all the way. Ensure your bike set-up is dialled in accurately and tested; session 2 is a good way of practising this.

The bike course has been adjusted

for 2018 and is flatter and faster. After the loop on Cannock Chase there’s a fast return to Stafford Town via Great Haywood and Tixall. Once the hill at Tixall is summited you’ll fly into Stafford Town Centre and the new T2 area at Riverway. Session 3 will help assist in tackling the short hills you will encounter.

The run course will see you arrive

in the town centre and onto the three-lap, pan-flat, PB-setting course. With the loops passing through the main high street and Victoria Park, it’s a very spectatorfriendly course. Session 4 will assist in training for this type of course – staying on target race pace while attacking the turnaround points will ensure a good time.

In the same vein as previous

years, the aid stations will be well stocked throughout the course. Remember, planning your race-day nutrition and training accordingly will go a long way to ensuring a good day out. The bike is key, concentrate on form and pacing, think ‘to the finish’. Session 5 will help you practise race strategy.

Next Month:

Dambuster Triathlon on 16 June 2018.