Sportsguide Multisport Magazine

THE PRO vs THE NOVICE

 By bianca on November 9th, 2009

Coming from a professional triathlon background, with a good degree of coaching experience amongst the age group ranks, I would think that I am able to give a clear indication of what the major differences are between the very top guys and yourself, the common athlete, or so-called “fish and chips”.

The average age grouper, competing at their local event, will more than likely catch a glimpse of the seasoned professional trying to win that very same event. This sight is often met with awe, as the very presence of this battle-hardened triathlete sends shivers down the common Joe’s spine. You might ask, “How can I compete against that?”

There are indeed massive differences between someone
trying to win the event and someone trying to finish the event…

THE PRO

Mental Approach to Training

A pro will have clearly set goals on what they have to do in order to prepare properly for their event. Their training is structured in such a way that they hopefully peak when it comes to race time. Bear in mind that the full-time professional has all day to train (as it’s his or her job), so time management and training time allowances are non-existent with this bunch.
-The pro’s get to rest and sleep after a hard session.

Mental Approach to Racing

The pro has clearly defined goals before he or she starts a race:Win prize money! It’s as simple as that. The pressure is on them to perform, so that they can bank a cheque and pay their bills. They also have sponsors to answer to, who would normally demand results that guarantee exposure.

There is a significant amount of difference in training volumes when one compares the Pro to the Age Grouper. This will vary from athlete to athlete. It also depends on what that athletes focus may be: short or long course triathlon.

Training Volumes

The Pro will more than likely be training at least 6 days per week, clocking up on average anywhere between 4 and 8 hours per day.
The Olympic distance guys will go shorter, but with more intensity.
The Ironman guys will concentrate on going for longer, but at a lesser speed. This means sometimes as much as three disciplines per day, almost every day.
An Ironman Pro’s daily programme could look something like this:
• 6hr bike ride in the morning
• short recovery swim at lunchtime (45mins)
• run session in the evening (1hr-1hr30)
This would not be done every day, and would normally be in their block phase as they prepare for an event.

THE NOVICE

Mental Approach to Training

You need to be clever and creative.
The Age Grouper/Novice has a full work day ahead of them, family commitments, and then still somehow has to find time to squeeze in a training session or two.
Get into bed as early as possible, get up early. This is non-negotiable! If you can train before work, the pressure of cramming in a session or two after work will be lifted.
You need to have a programme plan in place before each week starts (factoring in potential work/family engagements that may be forecast in the days ahead). You need a plan A, if things run smoothly, and a plan B for when they don’t. The most important part of this training plan is not to cram in more miles before hand (when you know your training schedule is going to be disrupted), or even worse, try to play catch-up on any lost miles caused by prior commitments. Stick to the plan and if need be adjust accordingly. Doing too much, too fast, and at the wrong time will lead to a string of bad results.
Set a clear goal (race Pb, special event etc) and work towards that. Limit this training block time to a maximum of 16 weeks for a full ironman, and less for the shorter distances. Anything longer than that will have you battling to maintain your focus and enthusiasm.
Prepare the mind and body for what lies ahead, and time management on a daily basis will not be a problem.

Mental Approach to Racing

The Age Grouper/Novice may only have two objectives when they start any given race: to place well within their age group, and to finish. This brings less pressure and as such, your nerves should be more at ease before the gun goes off.
Be well prepared and adequately trained. If you have done the training, there’s no need to panic or get nervous.
Triathlon is a great sport, in that it allows you time to fix mistakes, even during the event itself. You can have good and bad patches during any given race… what is important is to hold it together mentally speaking, and you can repair potential race hiccups along the way.
Take in advice from your fellow triathletes and friends, but do not absorb too much of it. Everybody would like to add their bit as to what you should and should not do!
Visualise the race beforehand and go through the various motions. This makes it so much easier once the siren goes off at the start. It’s almost as if your brain directs the body automatically, and away you go.

Training Volumes

The Age Grouper on the other hand will train according to their work schedules, and this does not allow for massive training volumes. Your training would be better suited to doing more quality mid-week, and then saving the longer stuff for the weekend.

A typical training day that an age grouper should strive for would be as follows:
• +/- 1 – 2hrs per day (1 discipline)
• 2 – 3hrs (2 disciplines)
• 4 – 5hr weekend session (long distance triathletes), that would typically be a brick
session of 3-4hr bike followed by a 30min – 1hr run.
• 1 complete rest day for recovery purposes.

Other differences between the Pro and You:
The Pro normally uses top of the range equipment to get his/her job done well and fast. On the other hand, as a novice you can get away with more basic equipment. Just make sure it’s reliable, there’s nothing worse than being let down by faulty equipment. The Pro will take no chances in this department.

The Pro will eat, sleep and breathe triathlon. You have a normal life to get back to after the race is done. Don’t worry, their turn will come someday… as unfortunately the life of a Pro Triathlete has an expiry date! Be thankful that you do not have to reach that point some day. As an Age Grouper, already set in life’s daily routine, your triathlon career can potentially go on for as long as you wish.

There are of course some similarities and the most common one would have to be a love for the sport of triathlon.
The Pro is very approachable, so next time you see them hanging out in the transition zone, don’t hide and look the other way. You just might learn something from them before you start the race.

Happy racing!!

If you have any questions, please contact Glen: glengore@sportsguide.co.za

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