Pool-ing together to keep up training
Creative Perth Triathlon Club is not letting the coronavirus outbreak stop them from remaining active.
Members had been excitedly preparing for their first event of the year, the East Fife Triathlon, before the pandemic resulted in the cancellation of sport across the country.
But the committee and coaches of the Perth club pieced together the makings of a virtual race which could be completed in line with government guidelines.
A dry land strength and conditioning exercise accounted for the swim, while participants were also tasked with a 20km cycle and a 5km run.
The challenge certainly got the creative juices flowing and included in the props used were paddling pools, hot-tubs and garden sprinkler systems.
Andrew Miller, head coach at Perth Triathlon Club, was keen to keep members entertained during these uncertain times.
“We’re all an active bunch and like getting outdoors, but also need to be responsible,” he explained to the PA.
“We tried to think of a way we could keep members entertained while sticking to the guidelines and keeping everyone safe.
“We were sad the East Fife Triathlon was cancelled and thought about how we could make it work locally.
“The idea of doing it virtually came with the committee chatting and then the coaches having an input. We found a framework that worked for it.
“Our swim coaches created a dry land strength and conditioning exercise which they recorded. Everyone who took part had to watch it and do it along with them.
“Then there was a cycle of 20km, either indoors or outdoors. And a run of 5km, again indoors or outdoors.
“We allowed this to be completed any time over a weekend due to the one daily exercise the government recommends. We didn’t want it all in the same day.
“The last thing, which caused a lot of fun, was asking everyone to create a video of them carrying out the triathlon transition.”
Forty-two club members participated in the virtual challenge and that was heartening for Andrew and the Perth committee.
“The members took to it much more than we expected,” he noted. “I thought there would be a few people doing very basic moves, but people really got on board.
“It was very well received and since then we have had weekly run and cycle challenges, all lockdown friendly.
“We are looking ahead to what else we can do. There are a few events coming up throughout the next couple of months that we will try to get our members to do virtually.”
The importance of maintaining a social aspect to the club, despite not being able to meet in person, was highlighted.
Andrew, who also shared members’ creative Strava art, said: “Ultimately it’s a way of keeping ourselves entertained and keeping our training going while everything is being cancelled around us.
“We totally understand that events can’t go ahead. We have a strong members page on Facebook and are running a lot of our sessions on the Zoom application.
“Each week we have a quiz, two cycling sessions and a dry land swimming session. There are four or five sessions every week.”