TRIA THLON
stand when you can sit;never sit when
you can lie’.After work it’s out the door
for a run or to the garage where the
torture machine – AKA the turbo trainer
– lives! (The turbo trainer is a piece of
equipment that makes it possible to ride
a bike indoors without moving forward.)
This was invented by a brain trust
made up of Hitler, Stalin and the devil,
and even they felt a little guilty about
it.Some people say that if you watch
movies while on it the time flies by.
Other say it’s a great chance to catch
up on music.This is all lies;Natalie
Portman dancing in front of you couldn’t
make the turbo sessions enjoyable.
They are a mixture of sweat, tears and
the occasional nose bleed, three things
which are never fun or enjoyable.Photo: Gleiss
Weekends are reserved for that
bastion of triathlon training – the long
I have been doing on a weekly basis. head down and train hard and smart. cycle!They start at three hours and a few
2008 saw me, over the 52 weeks, training Most days kick off at 6am with a trip months down the road hit the dreaded
on average more than 17 hours a week, to the pool for anywhere between two 6-hour mark, complete with numb feet,
cycling some 14,500km, running 2,500km and four kilometres of up and down, fingers, and a few other areas I don’t
and swimming 550km for the year. following the black line.The only bit need to spell out.And why not go for a
As I get ready to attempt my first of enjoyment is watching the other wee run after this cycle, just to get the
Ironman, there aren’t really enough odd creatures of the pool.Strangely legs used to the change you know?
hours left in the day to up my training these people are nearly always old-age So that’s the basic blueprint to get
significantly without a total body pensioners, which begs the question me to Austria in ship shape for 5 July
meltdown, unless I decide to stop why they are there at 6:30am when they 2009.Cyclesuperstore, with Look and
mortgage repayments, move back have nothing else to do all day. Zoot, will make sure I’m fully kitted out.
in with my folks and write the old‘I After the pool, it’s off to breakfast Throw in a few running and bike races,
regretfully inform you that I hereby at my desk while checking e-mails and plus the five-day 600 mile cycle around
tender my resignation’letter.Tempting a day of work spent trying to put into Ireland I completed in May and it should
but I’ll pass.So the plan is to keep the practice cycling’s oldest saying:‘Never be all Rock n Roll come July.
and out are by far the best features and theseLiam on his gear
continue to be improved with each new
Zoot Wetzoot Zenith 2: Having swum in design. They are incredibly light (probably
the original Zenith for the last two seasons I a bit too light for all your Ironman training),
was looking forward to the updated version but on race day they are definitely the shoe
(once it retained the built in six pack look!). of choice. I have run in the rain with them
I haven’t been in the open water in this suit, plenty of times and the water draining
but in the pool I’ve been very impressed. The feature is appreciated. RRP: €135
suit is a great tight fit with minimal leaking Zoot Ultra Tri Tank & Short: First
at the arms and neck. There is definitely impressions are that it’s very comfortable
increased flexibility in the shoulder region with minimal rubbing from seams. The bio
with the addition of Glideflex, while buoyancy wrap always feels good as it hugs the body
hasn’t been compromised. One gripe I had and allows for free movement. Between the
with the old suit was that the legs were quite shorts and top you have four pockets, each of
hard to get off in transition, but this has been which will comfortably hold a bar or gel and
addressed in the updated version. RRP: €540 the white colour should be ideal for the hot
Zoot Runners Ultra TT: I first used Austrian sun in July. RRP: €85.00
Zoot runners in late 2006 when they were Want to know more? Check out www.
still only prototypes and was immediately
outsider.ie for a video of Liam showing off
impressed. The sockless design and fast in his gear.
Liam on the dreaded turbo trainer.
(Photo:Torquil Fleming-Boyd)
76|June-July|OUTSIDER
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