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| Training + Supplementation Education (Part 3) featuring Triathlete James Loaring |
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Hello, I'm finally home in Windsor, Ontario after what was an exciting ten weeks on the road. After a fantastic Canadian National Triathlon Team camp in Tucson, Arizona, I enjoyed a reduced week of training. After a hard camp of excellent training, it is very important to have an easier week of reduced volume and intensity so that the body recharges itself and fully adapts to all the hard work. The easier week also consisted of getting organized for the upcoming season and catching up on the hundreds of life responsibilities that tend to get pushed aside when you are in the middle of an intense training camp. After six close to perfect weeks in Tucson, it was time to change venues and relocate to a new training base in Clermont, Florida which is only a thirty minute drive from Disney World. I was excited to meet up with my girlfriend and teammates from the C3 Canadian Cross Training Club. After a week of regeneration, I was eager to get back to work and looked forward to training for four weeks at the National Training Center (NTC) that boasts a world class swimming pool, track, and state of the art weight room and fitness testing facility. I also looked forward to pounding in the miles on the rolling hills and trails that has made Clermont a triathlon training Mecca.
I immediately noticed the change in climate from the very dry heat of Tucson to the hot temperatures and high humidity of Clermont. Training in the heat and humidity places extra nutritional demands on the body. We all know how difficult it can be on the body when training and racing in such extreme conditions. Constantly sipping LowOz before, during, and after workouts went a long way in helping my body cope with the environment. I was very pleased at how quickly LowOz absorbed into my system and I never seemed to get that swooshing feeling in my stomach that can be common when the body is unable to absorb enough fluids under such stress.
I opened up my 2006 racing season with a 10km run put on by the NTC. It is always nice to start the year with a bang and win overall even if it was just a fun local race. Two days later was my first triathlon of the year. I had a great season opener and was fortunate to break the finish tape first again. It wasn't easy as there were several accomplished pros that put up a good fight and we all had to endure temperatures that felt hotter than a witch's cauldron. What was my secret weapon for both races? Power Generation helped propel me to the finish line. I have stopped drinking coffee and have full confidence that Power Generation is a superior product in helping me to focus and help summon the motivation to give my very best. Sometimes I even use Power Generation to help drag me out of bed for those early morning swim workouts when the mind is screaming at you to hit the snooze button. I have also found that Power Generation is much healthier than drinking coffee and is much easier on the body to consume when training and racing in the heat.
 I left Clermont, Florida on May 4th for beautiful Mazatlan, Mexico. May 7th marked the first major race of the year, the ITU Mazatlan World Cup. I was very pleased with my preparation going in after ten fantastic weeks of excellent training and proper nutrition. Training in Clermont right before the race also allowed me to properly acclimatize to the heat and humidity that all athletes would have to endure during the race. The race had a stacked field with most of the top triathletes in the world present. I had a solid swim and bike and started the run with race favourite Hunter Kemper (#1 ranked triathlete in the world), Brad Kalfeldt of Australia (Commonwealth Games Champion), and Simon Whitfield (former Olympic Champion). However, I did not have the run required for a top finish at a World Cup Triathlon. But I was still pleased with the effort and felt that this race will help set up the rest of my season.
It feels good to finally be back home in Windsor, Ontario, even if it is just for a few days. But the racing season is underway, and I'm off to Tobago for a race on May 21st and Brazil for the ITU Pan American Championships on June 4th.
Thanks for listening!
Cheers,
James
May 11th, 2006
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