There are a lot of people who look at professional cyclists as cheaters. Despite all of the stories about using performance enhancing drugs and other techniques to allow them to do more with their body, it is still hard to deny that the cyclists are great athletes. The training regimen that they use to prepare for enduring and grueling races is something that other athletes could benefit from. Craig Upton, an athlete who used to play water polo and then was a professional cyclist believes that triathletes could learn from the training regimens that cyclists endure.
The key to success for the top cyclists is simple according to Upton. He knows that they train more than other athletes do to prepare. Triathletes often talk about overtraining before an event. They think that the body needs time to recover and that you need to make sure your give it the time needed to do that. Cyclists are not as worried about letting the body recovery as they push their training up a notch.
Another key to training that Upton talks about is the need to include strength and technique training. He suggests using two types of training for triathletes. The first one is borrowed from skiers. He notes that skiers will begin their workouts with strength training. The body is ready for this training and you are able to get the best results when you do this first. After you have finished this training, your tired body is than ready to work on endurance training.
Upton has adapted his method to work with cyclists. Hill climbing is used first to build the strength of the rider. Endurance rides will follow the tougher hill climbing rides.
Upton is convinced that the triathletes will improve their ability to compete if they work on the fast pace training and bringing up their cadence as they ride. The right workouts will allow the triathletes to accomplish this in the same way the cyclists do. This training will benefit all of the phases of the triathlon.
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