We all know we feel better after a good night’s sleep. But as athletes, while we are often highly committed to our training sessions and love to tick those completion boxes, the reality is that we don’t always prioritize our recovery in the same way.
As athletes, we are constantly looking for an extra edge when it comes to training, racing, winning and simply improving ourselves to become fitter, faster, stronger and healthier! However, how much is too much of a good thing when a healthy obsession turns into self-destruction from a nutrition perspective?
Travelling can be a big part of the sport of triathlon – whether it is a few hours to a race or even overseas. The tricky logistics of nutrition, hydration and bike transport can really derail your ideal race. Our star Bindi athlete Brandon, travels regularly for races, so we pumped him for his best advice on avoiding the pitfalls such as dehydration, food poisoning and mechanicals.
Studies are showing us that dehydration can affect your mood, brain function and performance. Basically, even mild dehydration can lead to lowered mood, increased fatigue and a decline in your ability to think clearly. Given that the human body is made up of 60% water, the daily consumption of water is essential for our survival.
Jacinta Roberts is new to the sports of triathlon and cycling. After leading a relatively inactive lifestyle whilst growing up, Jacinta made the shift to sport when the pandemic arrived. She decided to buy a bike and capitalised on every opportunity to get out of the house and go for a ride. As with most endurance sport enthusiasts, she soon became addicted!
How much protein do we really need? As an athlete, it is vital that you ensure your protein intake is adequate and this particularly applies in the post training period. When exercising, the presence of adrenaline and absence of insulin results in muscle proteins breaking down to release amino acids. As muscle protein is breaking down, post-activity protein consumption is needed in order to repair muscle protein, increase muscle mass and form new enzymes. Here are 5 simple ways to ensure you optimise muscle repair and hit those protein targets…
Asha Hickford is a National and International in-line speed skater from Western Australia who is only 17 years old and already a National Record Holder for both the marathon and 500m speed skating events! Her training not only involves skating, but also gym work, stability and strength training, explosive as well as endurance sessions and the patience and dedication of champion.
Michelle is literally mad about running. Having only started running in her early 40s, she has gone from 5km parkruns to training for her first 50km ultrarun! Michelle is heavily involved in the running community and simply adores the people she shares her love of running with.
Brooke Bishop is a tetrathlete, modern pentathlete and triathlete, based in in Western Australia. When you combine all three of these sports, you have: swimming – short and middle distance, running – middle distance and long distance, fencing, shooting, cycling and show jumping! Brooke has competed for Australia nationally and internationally in tetrathlon and modern pentathlon and recently took up triathlon after her plans to pursue pentathlon professionally were put to an abrupt hold by the pandemic.
Every athlete wants to be and do their best. But the challenge with being one’s best is that it is like walking along a cliff edge. We are constantly curious to look over yet can’t afford to fall. I always say that we are slightly better off underdone than overdone. Once it’s too late, it’s too late. However, we still need to satisfy our curiosity for exploring our potential.
