Look Through the PeteWilbyTriathlOn Training LENS

Look Through the PeteWilbyTriathlOn Training LENS

The aim of this blog is to provide a fresh perspective of triathlon and open water swimming training.  For peak performance in triathlon and open water swimming you need focus.  It is that very focus that could so easily become tunnel visioned, only focused on training, or worst, an injury or illness that training has left you with.

The purpose of the PeteWilbyTriathlOn LENS is to adjust your focus on ENDURANCE TRAINING by setting out a holistic approach.  The four key basics for you to excel are what the LENS is made up of.

• Life
• Endurance training
• Nutrition
• Strength

                                

The LENS Philosophy

   

Imagine each part of the LENS is a part of a house, with ENDURANCE TRAINING in the centre, of course, that needs to be your focus so you can reach your goals.

The roof of the house is LIFE.  By Life we mean the management of physical and mental health and wellbeing. At any level of triathlon and open water swimming training, LIFE comes first.  1) Life, 2) Work or family or studies, 3) Endurance race training, in that order of priority.

The left-hand wall supporting the LENS is STRENGTH.  STRENGTH significantly supports life.  By strength we mean mental strength and physical strength.  To embark on any triathlon or open water swimming goal it is your strength of mind that commits you.  It is you cardiac and skeletal muscle strength that will support and power you as you train and compete.

The right-hand wall supporting the LENS is NUTRITION.  Healthy food and drink underpin life.  It is fuel for people. And remember, this might sound pretentious, but athletes are people, not machines.  You cannot hack nutrition but it is a minefield of information that you could and should keep simple and realistic.  We all have to eat.  Our values are to inform rather than prescribe:

1) Eat real, unprocessed foods

2) Allow everything in moderation, even excess

The centre of the LENS house - you could see this as the doorway to success - is ENDURANCE TRAINING. 

Perceive your ENDURANCE TRAINING through the LENS, remember the priorities in LIFE are: 1) Life, 2) Work or family or studies, 3) Endurance race training, in that order of priority. LIFE is supported by NUTRITION and STRENGTH.

To dial in to success and excel in your sport you must first, nail the basics: Life, Endurance training, Nutrition & Strength (LENS).

CONCLUSION

That is the PeteWilbyTriathlOn training LENS, my perception of how to approach ENDURANCE TRAINING.  No ‘go hard or go home’ mantras. 

I believe that a good triathlon and open water swimming coach should view ENDURANCE TRAINING through the PeteWilbyTriathlOn LENS.  Athletes certainly should too as they could so easily get tunnel vision (and commonly do).  

By consistently viewing your ENDURANCE TRAINING through the PeteWilbyTriathlOn LENS  you stand far greater chance of success.  You will be rewarded with good health, confidence, enjoyment, robustness, and positivity, not only in your sporting goals, but in LIFE.