Sometimes it seems like we all get caught up in racing with technology instead of just going
out and racing, ya know…
What a great piece of advice from Dave Scott’s most recent newsletter…
Thoughts from The Man
I recently spoke with Barry Siff, director and owner of the very popular 5430 Triathlon Series here in Boulder, about his recent Ironman experience in New Zealand, which didn’t go quite as planned. He responded that during the race, he felt “mentally over-loaded”, but then clarified this by stating that he had been able to check his heart rate, monitor his cadence, track his power economy, and plot his physical well-being. Recognizing that Barry is an accomplished endurance athlete, I asked him what the difference was in this race as opposed to his previous 200+ races. His response: “I just lost track of the things I’m supposed to do while racing - like drinking fluids!”. This common oversight is indicative of an experienced athlete who seemingly became over-whelmed with all of the details involved in programming his race. My advice to him was simple - just race and forget about all of the gadgets! In fact, I teach all of my athletes to use the technology that is available, but not to become too dependent upon a narrow range of criteria when racing. When I began training, my practical knowledge base was very limited. Though I had graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology and had been a competitive swimmer, my limitation was in “brain power” and understanding all of the nuances, including technology, that were involved in training. Looking back, this was probably an asset for me. Heart rate monitors, power meters and fluid replacement drinks just didn’t exist. During my racing career, I began wearing a watch in 1983. I never ran a track workout, not one, until 1993. I never had a speedometer or power meter during my entire career. I am not suggesting that you abandon your equipment technology, but merely reduce your reliance upon them during your training. As you approach your races, let your perceived exertion be an early guide in helping to monitor your performance. When you decide to glance at your heart rate monitor, don’t mentally give up if you’ve anticipated a 163 heart rate and it says 169. Allow your psychological capabilities to expand, not diminish.
I recall reading an interview with The Man right before he retired and he said more or less the same thing. No HRM’s, no special energy foods, etc. In fact he said if Timex wasn’t a sponsor he probably wouldn’t wear a watch. He said he’d sometimes use those things in training but not during racing as he felt it was more important to teach your body to dig deep on raceday and ignore the hurtin’. Ya gotta love that old school, “get 'er done” mentality.
Yes, indeed great advice. Sometimes the best advice is to keep it simple; in triathlon, work and life. Faris has an SRM on his bike during IM but places tape over the display. Why? He knows his body, listens to his body, and races this way. Old school indeed.
Why? He knows his body, listens to his body, and races this way.
The key part there is that he knows his body. Most don’t, at least well enough to pace themselves wisely during the course of an IM. The gadgets should be making the task easier, not harder- if you’re getting overwhelmed with a digital readout, I’m not sure I’m all that confident in your ability to evaluate your physical state without the technology.
That said, better to be able to do it without the gadgets.
Yes, I would agree. Personally, I know my body well enough to know if I am “off” or not recovered from a previous days hard effort. That being said, I don’t think I could pace myself properly during an IM without my HR monitor. I’m just not at that level. I can understand information overload and see how this could happen; especially if you are always training at a certain HR or Watts level. I am sure a lot of people on this board would say some of their best workouts have been when they left their watch, HR monitor, or power meter at home. I use them as a tool but often focus on other things such as consistency, form and my overall mental state at the given time during my workout.
Amen! In those days, that’s how the best raced. I remember a very good triathlete, Pauli Kiuru, who had the ability to win, but when his HR monitor got too high, he listened. Many said that’s why he never won. There also is a good feeling when one knows his body so well to race by PE.
All those tools can definitively help us… however we also need to listen to them and understand what is going on around (headwind vs. tailwind, heat, etc. for example) not just look at the number and adjust accordingly.
a low HR does not necessarily imply that you need to increase your pace to reach the target HR, it can also mean you are getting dehydrated for example.
Was even more fun to have “The Man” in Orange County two weeks ago for the Orange County Triathlon Club…Dave Scott Tri-Camp! The gadgets are fun, but don’t get married to them. Think about racing and having your power meter NOT work…oopppsss…
Funny that all the ST scientists have gone quiet over Dave "the man" Scotts' ability to do what he did without all the gadgets.Surely there was no way he could have gone 8:01 in Ironman Japan without the electronic mafia telling him what to do.Dave is still "THE MAN"
Funny that all the ST scientists have gone quiet over Dave “the man” Scotts’ ability to do what he did without all the gadgets.
Not funny. It’s called respect.
you know what, 2000yrs ago, people lived fine without electricity…maybe we should try that too.
I think my definition of “living fine” must be different than yours. Descriptions of what life 2000 years ago might have been like doesn’t sound “fine” to me.
and the media van had nothing to do with that 8.01, eh?
you know what, 2000yrs ago, people lived fine without electricity…maybe we should try that too.
Just like “training” with Frankie Vandenbroucke had “nothing” to do with LVL’s first Kona win.
Weird- I’m going w/ the opposite mentality: I’m not a developed/near the top of my potential enough athlete to warrant stressing over 5 zones (7 w/ 5a, 5b, and 5c…), monster speedwork, and all the rest. Maybe in a year or 2, but for a 1st IM year, I think consistency, good nutrition, and enough sleep are what will do it for me.
I figure after this year, I’ll be a “real” endurance athlete, rather than a former lifter/food vacuum out there killing himself.
Its been a great year so far- Better training and I feel great!
