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Finding the time
Having children while maintaining a multisport lifestyle can be like juggling shoes, while riding a bike and holding a paddle. There are ways to overcome this, says LISA DE SPEVILLE.
Category: Training
AR into life
I really, really struggle to keep on top of training. I’m mostly consistent but I do not often fit in as much as I’d like to. And how much would enough be? How long, indeed, is a piece of string? I especially battle to maintain a balance of training in adventure racing’s three fundamental disciplines: running, biking and paddling. The scales shift constantly with lots of this and too little (or none!) of that.
Trekking Decider
Trekking is one of adventure racing’s foundation disciplines and it is arguably the one that should be given the highest respect. Strengthening of your feet, doing the endurance training for the demands of trekking and strong navigation skills are key to successful trekking whether the stage takes two or 36 hours. Each of these three elements should [...]
S t r e t c h i n g
We run. We mountain bike. We paddle. But, do we all stretch? It’s the one training essential, like navigation, that is sorely neglected and should be considered an activity on its own, one that is incorporated into each and every training session. Just consider the benefits…
Proprioception and Balance
As anyone who has sustained a foot injury can tell you, building up your nervous and muscular responses, the most important part of your recovery program, is what literally gets you back on your feet. Proprioception refers to the connection between the brain and every structure in the body.
Running 101
While proportionally trekking sections do not make up the majority of the race distance, you’re likely to spend a good chunk of your time on your feet. And, it’s these ‘foot’ sections that have defeated the world’s most experienced teams and athletes.
Winter Training
The official definition of winter is “the fourth and coldest season of the year, coming between autumn and spring”. This is not to be interpreted as “a cold period of four months, from May to August, when athletes become sufficiently sedentary to gain 10-kilograms and lose hard-earned fitness”. Escape the clutch of your cosy couch with these winter training tips.
Training vs Racing
With AR, mountain biking, paddling and running events every weekend, we’ve all got the opportunity to race regularly.
In July 2003, I took off for 6 days purely to train, spending a lot of time on my feet in preparation for events in September and October. This was a holiday where I did nothing but mtb, hike, eat and sleep – free from the distractions of normal, daily life. A luxury!
Training for Adventure Racing
Whether you’re a top level racer with a high level of base fitness or a ‘social’ racer who is in it for the adventure and your aim is just to finish not to win, your training program should build your endurance, strength, speed and power in a number of disciplines.
Train for Adventure
With so many different disciplines and only so much time, training for an adventure race is no easy task. There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ programme because how much and how hard you train depends on the type and distance of the events in which you’d like to compete, your familiarity with each discipline, your fitness level and your goals and aspirations.
