What does an Ironman pro do in these weird times?


I've interviewed and talked to a number of pro Triathletes, top level athletes from other Endurance Sports as well as a number of coaches, for various clients.

Generally the approach to the Pandemic and the scrubbing, possibly of the whole of the race-season has been about Glass Half Empty or Half Full. Top level athletes, at least the very good ones, quickly shift to the Half Full approach - and working with what they CAN control, and not worrying too much about what is beyond their control (return to racing).

Rachel Cliff - Canada's 2nd fastest women all-time at the Marathon summed it up nicely. "I'm all about being in 80% fitness right now and 100% health". Another high profile coach said "It's all December training now" Implying, it's all base training now. Both statements and approaches are right!

I've found that AGers seem to be not coping as well - now cut adrift completely from a dedicated seasonal goal. For some/many, that is a REAL challenge. Drawing from my conversations with top athletes - I would say, the best approach is to think about personal challenges. Put a stake in the ground, train moderately for something, and have a go at it! What have you got to lose!

---

---

Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

 

---

http://www.fitspeek.com the Fraser Valley's fitness, wellness, and endurance sports podcast

Basically pros are more irrelevant than ever (sadly). Without a stage to perform, they are just another person randomly training that no one cares about (sadly). They can treat is glass half full personally, but its bone dry empty in terms of what relevance the profession of pro triathlon has at the moment to the fans. I notice this with pro bike racing ....pro cyclists are relevant now !!! Pro triathletes....not so much! I am hoping Cam Wurf puts down hammer at IM Cairns if that happens!

Basically pros are more irrelevant than ever (sadly). Without a stage to perform,


Dev,

The good Pros who know what they are doing, and know that it's MORE than results that matter, have shifted to more of a focus on content, with broadcast via their social media - because right now, that's all they have!

Lionel is the perfect example - for him, he does not really have to win another big race to offer his sponsors value and engagement with eyeballs in the market. I know he wants to win and he will do his darnedest to achieve that, but the content created with the help of Talbot Cox is where the value and the gold is for Lionel and his sponsors!

---

---

Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog