Brownlee's top five tips for the Abu Dhabi Tri

Sport360 staff 13:08 02/02/2014
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  • Record breaker: Alistair Brownlee broke the course record in Abu Dhabi in 2013.

    With less than six weeks to go until the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, elite competitors and first-timers alike are now focusing on the final stages of preparation for the big race.

    So Sport360° thought that it would be the perfect time to get some tips from British Olympic gold medallist and Abu Dhabi International Triathlon short course record holder Alistair Brownlee. 

    The 25-year-old may be competing at the very highest level but his top five tips can help all levels of participants at the event, which takes place on Saturday, March 15. 

    1. Consistency

    The best way for anyone, whether fit or not, to get in shape is consistency with both their diet and exercise regimen. Commitment to a regular fitness and nutrition plan will increase your fitness level and leave you feeling much better especially when you are preparing for a triathlon. I usually map out a week by week plan that I try to stick to on a regular basis. I also try to exercise first thing in the morning because as the day progresses you will find more excuses to skip the workout.

    2. Use the great Gulf weather to your advantage 

    Last year, before making my debut at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, I trained for a while in Abu Dhabi during the winter months. The weather in the Gulf region this time of year is perfect for training and there are a multitude of options for swimming, cycling and running routes. I would encourage triathletes living in the GCC to do most of their training outdoors and take advantage of the great weather whilst preparing for the race in March.

    3. Eat a balanced diet

    After the holidays people are usually desperate to get back in shape quickly and they often begin extreme diets. From experience a balanced diet is vital; especially when you are training for a triathlon. Eat plenty of protein and vegetables. I also try to have a good recovery drink post-workout such as Gatorade, to hydrate my body. A personal tip is to eat more superfoods as you approach the race in March like oatmeal, bananas, spinach, walnuts, etc.

    4. Make it fun

    Get friends and family involved in your training and encourage them to sign up to the triathlon with you. It is amazing how much more motivated you feel as part of a group and training becomes much easier and more fun. Training for a triathlon can be a daunting task, especially for first-timers, and a great way to mix it up is to encourage a training buddy or a family member to sign up to the race. I find it very useful having my brother Jonny in the house getting up early with me to go for swims and runs!

    5. Rest, rest, rest

    People might think that triathletes are super-human but a critical part of our training regimen is to get plenty of rest between training sessions. Whether you are just starting out and training for the first time or an experienced professional, you need to give your body ample amounts of rest between sessions so you can recover and avoid injuries and illness. I usually give myself at least one to two rest days every week just so my body can get sufficient rest.

    The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon offers something for everyone, with three course distances; the 223km ‘long course’ (3km swim, a 200km cycle and 20km run), the half-length ‘short’ course (1.5km swim, a 100km cycle and a 10 km run) and the sprint course (750m swim, a 50km bike and 5km run).

    Both the ‘short’ and the ‘sprint’ distances can be run as a team relay. 

    Athletes interested in entering should visit www.abudhabitriathlon.com and, after clicking on the ENTER NOW link, simply follow the instructions.

    Entry fees for the long and short distances are AED 695 and AED 475 respectively, while sprint course rates are AED 275 for individuals and AED 440 for a team. The fee for the team relay is AED 1,022. 

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