Don’t Change a Winning Formula

Ironman Lake Tahoe. Keep it Simple. Don’t Change Your Winning Formula.

A couple of years ago, a good mate of mine was training for the Ultraman in Hawaii. Ultraman is DOUBLE the Ironman distance. Only 12 people in the world register to do this event! One week before race day, he was on a treadmill (?!) running for 2 hrs. He was sweating like a mad man, lost his focus, balance and spat out the back of the treadmill. Landed safely on his arss. No immediate damage to his anatomy…

But then the next day when he was in the “loo”, he collapsed from dizziness. He was rushed to the ER and the diagnosis? Broken rib, internal bleeding.

Months of training, planning, cost of flying plus the condo and momentum of supporters, sponsors, undone in seconds. Lesson learned: don’t do anything stupid mate!

You will be nervous and full of energy over the next 2 weeks. It’s part of your taper. Practice the lost art of doing very little or nothing. You are fit, you are ready. There is not a magical run, ride, swim, session that will improve your fitness now. Training hard now can do damage, lead to injury, accidents.

A note to loved ones. Tell your close friends, GF, Husband, Wife, family to help you keep life as normal as possible. Funny thing about this sport, it can tempt the most logical type “A” individual to do something dopey.

Don’t change a winning formula. If it worked for you all year, don’t go changing. Stick to the plan.

Rehearse your race in your head. Take time daily to visualize your day out on the course, to the first stroke of the swim passing each buoy, visualize your first pedal stroke and who good your legs feel, feel your lungs open up expand and contract as you run.

Rest.

Allow yourself to be distracted by conversations that are NOT about Ironman.

A note to an athlete before her stellar World Championship race 70.3 in Las Vegas last week. “Liz, it’s like riding your horse out on the trails in Ojai where you live. It’s like plugging in your lap top and opening your outlook…you’ve done this so many times go out there and do what you know.”

Look for me on Race Day. I’ll be dressed as a Kookaburra!!! 🙂

Coach Leroy

2023-11-02T21:38:50+00:00

I joined Kain Performance in 2003 and since then this team and triathlon have become a huge part of my life. Pete and Shari have created a great program lead not only by their coaching but their team concept. We train as a team, we push each other to improve, and on race day we support each other like no other group out there. In the past 7 years we’ve traveled as a team to races in Europe, Hawaii, and of course all over the US. I’ve made great friends along the way and have improved at the sport more then I ever expected. I’ve gone from a middle of the pack finisher to actually winning my age group in a triathlon this past year. I’ve competed in National Championship races and have finished 50 triathlons including 3 Ironman’s. In 2009 I was part of the Kain Iron team that went to Ironman Austria. The trip and event was a perfect example of a Kain destination race. The 20+ athletes competing combined with their supporters made for a great group of people and an incredible experience on race day that I will always remember. At Kain it’s all about the team and weather you are an age group winner or a triathlon newbie you’ll fit in. If you’ve got a triathlon goal Kain Performance will help you achieve it.

Russell

I ran into Pete at my gym in early 2010 and told him about my desire to start competing in the world of triathlons. Of course, I couldn’t swim more than a couple laps in the pool and hadn’t ridden a road bike since I delivered newspapers on a Schwinn Varsity back in the 70′s. Pete got me a great deal using the Kain Performance team discount on a new Specialized bike and all the accessories to go along with it. I began swimming, doing the Tuesday night team brick workouts, and Saturday team rides. Within two months, I completed my first sprint tri. Because I felt so prepared, it was a very positive experience. I had gained a lot of knowledge and insight from Pete, the coaches, and the other people on the team…everything from strategy, to transitions to preparation. I was hooked! Now, eight months later, I’ve completed six triathlons, including two Half-Iron events. I can’t wait to take on Ironman Austria in 2011, with the 30+ people going from Kain Performance. I enjoy the energetic and supportive nature of the folks that comprise Kain Performance. Pete and Shari have a unique way of making training fun and enjoyable and they’ve created a team environment like no other. I couldn’t have picked a better group of people to train with!

Wayne

After several seasons with Team in Training, I joined Kain Performance to step up my training. I have really noticed an improvement in my running. Pete and Shari are a great team, and you never know what to expect in terms of the workout. Pete can take a hard workout and make it one of the best workouts ever. The other team members provide a lot of energy and team spirit, and make me not want to miss a workout.

Judy

I joined Kain Performance on a Sunday during a Labor Day weekend, back in 2003; I remember that day very well because we had a great swim and run workouts finishing up the day with one of the best parties I have ever been to, just ask Jody!! I started doing triathlon back in 1993 and since then I’ve joined a few different Tri-clubs but when I came to Kain Performance, I found everything in one place; the best coaching, a great bunch of people with different backgrounds, a diverse variety of workouts year round with weekend training trips, team destination races and of course, lots and lt’s of fun. Pete keeps a good balance for his training programs; be prepared for some serious training and racing but also be prepared for some even more serious FUN. Personally, my training has improved so much that I think I’ll have a shot to qualify for worlds this year. The only problem training with Kain Performance could be that, after a while, you might not be “Street Legal” any more…

Jorge

I was bitten by the triathlon bug after a season with TNT. Since joining Kain Performance this summer, my swimming has really improved through practicing the assigned drills, listening to the technique stuff and having one-on-one sessions coached by Becky Gibbs Lavelle. The running economy workouts have helped me make significant improvements in speed, with new personal records for 400m, 800m and 1 mile. I really enjoy Pete and Shari’s coaching style and applicability.

John

Don’t Change a Winning Formula

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