Tuesday 14 January 2014

Finis Tempo Trainer Pro & Freestyler Paddles now available.

If you have attended any of our swim sessions you will know that we regularly use a couple of really handy Finis gadgets - the Finis Tempo Trainer Pro and the Finis Freestyler Hand Paddles. We are pleased to announce that we are now a Finis stockist so you can get these items directly from us poolside!!

FINIS TEMPO TRAINER PRO

Develop consistency and avoid lulls in your stroke with a personal pace coach, the Tempo Trainer Pro. The small, waterproof device easily secures under a swimmer’s cap and transmits an audible tempo beep. Athletes use the beep to train smarter and discover their perfect pace. 

In 'Stroke Rate Mode' you program in a strokes per minute figure, place the Tempo Trainer under your swim cap and you will hear it beep the stroke rhythm to you as you swim; all you need to do is time your strokes to the beep as your hands enter the water. You can easily lower or raise your stroke rate slightly to find the sweet spots in your stroke efficiency. Depending on what type of swimmer you are, this is a great tool for removing dead spots or over-gliding from your stroke, or to slow your stroke down to give you more time to focus on engaging all the stroke mechanics for better propulsion.

In 'Lap Interval Mode' you set the Tempo Trainer to a speed that you wish to swim at per 25 or 50m. You then simply pace your swim so that you are pushing off on each lap on the beep. Most swimmers have very poor pacing, starting too fast and then fading which greatly harms their performances. Many swimmers set PBs the very first time they use a stroke beeper for this reason.
Following CSS (critical swim speed) testing we are able to generate target lap times for longer CSS paced swims to really maximise pacing and performance. 

FINIS FREESTYLER HAND PADDLES

Specifically designed for freestyle training, the Freestyler Hand Paddle planes the hand forward through the water, improving reach and distance-per-stroke. With a long fin shape and unique skeg design, the Freestyler promotes a strong pull through, better hip-rotation and increased efficiency. With an adjustable finger strap for a perfect fit, the Freestyler paddle is narrower than most paddles, which prevents shoulder strain. 

We regularly use these ‘technique’ paddles to work on ‘spearing the water’ hand entry  as well as hand placement and alignment during the catch and pull phases. Great for removing cross-overs and ultimately better streamlining and propulsion through the water.

PRICES

Finis Tempo Trainer $67.00 inc HST
Finis Freestyler Paddles $27.00 inc HST

Email us at coaching@athelite.net if you would like to purchase or see us at the pool.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Grand plans for 2014

Well it's January 2014, the decorations are down, the goodies cupboard is empty and the liqueur store returns box has more in it than the drinks cabinet. Time to focus on matters in hand. RACING!!!
Seeing as all our clients know what they are doing this year we thought we had better make some commitments ourselves so here is what myself and Genevieve are targeting this year;

Around the Bay 30km Road Race, Ontario. March 30th.

The oldest road race in North America and due to the date it can be either blazing sunshine or snow. We are currently challenged with training for this event whilst in the midst of winter and a Polar Vortex! I can't remember the last time we raced a running race so we are looking forward to this one. A good run focus to keep the winter training going.

http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/

American Triple T, Ohio. May 16th, 17th, 18th; check this one out!!!

3-days, 4-triathlons, 140+ miles, 1-epic event. The American Triple-T in Ohio has an almost cult like following that continues to attract athletes from more than 40 states and 5 countries each year.

Friday, May 16th, 2014 at 5:00 P.M. Race #1: Super Sprint
Saturday, May 17th, 2014 7:30 A.M. Race #2: Olympic AM
Saturday, May 17th, 2014 3:00 P.M. Race #3: Olympic PM
Sunday, May 18th, 2014 at 7:00 A.M. Race #4: Half Ironman

We are basically treating this as a big training weekend. The total distance equals an Ironman with multiple opportunities to practice swim starts, transitions, nutrition etc. Looking forward to it!!

http://www.americantriple-t.com/tt/index.htm

Spin the Lakes 170km , Muskoka. May 24th.

Based up in the hills and lakes around Muskoka this is a Sportive/Gran Fondo style event but we are calling it a RACE!! One week after The American Triple T and good practice for our 'A' Race one month later.

http://www.bikemuskoka.ca/events/spin-the-lakes/

Ironman Couer D'Alene, Idaho. June 29th.

The big race for the year. Once again we have not chosen an easy one because we love a challenge!!
A potentially cold swim in a glacial fed lake, a challenging bike course with 4600 feet of climbing and what should be a stunning lake shore run with a couple of good climbs in it.

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/coeur-dalene.aspx#axzz2ppp8Pr88


Last year we had big plans that fell apart a little when I fell ill and Genevieve fell off her bike and broke her collarbone. This year we are hoping for a better one. Let us know if you want to join us for the journey!!