DAMBUSTER TRIATHLON
Coaching partner for Pacesetter Events Matt Bottrill shares his best advice for completing and competing at the Dambuster Triathlon
There are several reasons this established event attracts some of the best athletes in the country year after year. For a start there’s the ideal racing facilities at Rutland Water, complete with experienced race organisers. Then there’s the beautiful setting, which easily deceives, as this race will quickly punish those who aren’t prepared.
The running start into the Rutland
waters is unusual for a non-sea swim and it’s vital that you get yourself into a good position. Becoming more familiar with this entry will be a big advantage on race day. The course is all left turns, excluding the final buoy. If you can, train at the venue. Regardless of location, though, try session 1.
The race attracts a big field
(1,000 entries) so remember to check out the landmarks in transition in relation to your bike position. There’s a small climb out of transition before turning left onto the 40km loop, which has a bit of everything – very fast sections, short climbs and exposed sections, so include a variety in your training.
In training, incorporate strength
rides with changes of cadence and climbing, flat time trials in an aerodynamic position to optimise your speed, effort changes according to the wind direction and technical practice to descend well and maintain control in the wind. Check out sessions 2 & 3.
The run is a straight forward
out-and-back so there’s the potential for some fast times. The key is to find your rhythm, hold your form and finish off the job. As with the bike, complete a variety of runs in your training, as per session 4.
Get used to fuelling. You’ll need to
stay topped up to perform optimally over the duration, so practise drinking with what you’ll have on race day within your bike and run sessions. Drink stations with High5 are available on the course. Next Month: Norseman, 4 August ’18.