Life as I know it: First Blog for Ryan Waddington

Photos : Chris Lew (www.lewmedia.com.au)

Whilst I’d love to be writing my first blog from my Swiss chalet in the Alps or from Boulder Colorado, the Mecca of triathlon training, it isn’t the case. I live and train around Parramatta in Sydney which, to its credit, isn’t the most inconvenient of training bases. So who am I? Well most days I’m just one of the ambitious age group athletes pedalling around Parramatta Park in an aero tuck and on the other ones I’m a full time university student working a few part time jobs. I have not been in the sport for a particularly long time. My background is in cross country and athletics but between untimely running injuries and the allure of a new challenge I hung up my spikes and donned the Speedos. Since awkwardly splashing up and down the pool in over 90 seconds a lap two years ago I have now claimed an Australian Long Course age group title along with a few other credible finishes I gained selection into my first World 20-24 Long Course Triathlon Championship which is set to be held in Las Vegas later this year. These are results that I wouldn’t have dreamed possible in such a short time following my switch from running. As a self coached athlete I’ve had to research and experiment with different forms and styles of training which have given me a sound knowledge of the sport. As such I hope that my blogs can provide some helpful tips and insights. If you are an age group athlete starting out in triathlon or just trying to improve or perhaps considering switching from one of the three disciplines to the full blown experience this may be of help to you.

Figure 1: Trail running out at Terry Hills   Photo : Chris Lew (www.lewmedia.com.au)

Multisport As A Lifestyle:

The single biggest consideration in making the switch to triathlon or any multisport for that matter is to realise it is a lifestyle. I don’t want to tread on the toes of those who make the valid point that your involvement in a chosen sport does not define who you are or give a measure of your self-worth. Whilst this is important to keep in mind I would suggest that whilst not defining who you are, multisports do define how you live. For instance, when training for a single sport you can be become quite capable on five sessions a week lasting approximately one hour each. The training can be done early and the rest of the day is free. Multisport training is not like that, a day of training contains 2 and sometimes 3 different sessions and the definition of a rest day changes from actual resting to a ‘light’ 4k swim at the pool. How have I personally dealt with the somewhat all consuming nature of triathlon training? Well, I like to move. It sounds simple but I think that is really the key to success in triathlon, just being able to enjoy what your doing (at least most of the time). It is a massive time commitment and a radical lifestyle change from single sport training but if you simply enjoy being active and don’t mind sport being a central theme in your life then the potential to be a great triathlete is there.           

Choosing a bike:

Shortly after taking up triathlon it became apparent what an expensive sport it is, courtesy of the bike leg. I used to tell people to approximate how much it would cost them to start up and then double it to get the real figure... however I think I’ve personally spent more than triple now. But there is good news, if you get it right the first time it is easy to save yourself a lot money and trouble. I don’t claim to be an expert on the matter but for what its worth here are my tips. Firstly the bikes fit is the number 1 consideration in getting the right machine the first time. The first bike I had didn’t even come close to fitting me, but how was I to know? I reasoned that sitting on an uncomfortable seat whilst hunched over for hours on end would undoubtable cause great discomfort. No big deal everyone gets it... right? Turns out this doesn’t have to be the case. Sometimes it’s just a change of seat or in my case a change of bike and the pain goes away. Who knew? I think that fit is often overlooked because of an attraction to a particular brand or a flashy looking machine. But a comfortable bland looking bike gets you through the second leg a lot faster than a flashy but painful one. For me, the guys down at Bike Barn Parramatta did a great job fitting me to my current road and TT bikes, I wouldn’t ever buy from a shop that weren’t confident in their ability to fit you.

Figure 2: Aus Long Course 2011 - Huskisson 

Photo : Chris Lew (www.lewmedia.com.au)

The next big decision seems to be based around the costly but lightweight carbon bike compared to your regular alloy bike. I believe there are too many inexperienced athletes out there on super machines who are unable to utilise them to their potential. Unless you are rapidly climbing the age group ladder and looking to place at major races I think the money on top machines is best saved. I have happily raced my alloy Potenza Vittoria to the top step of the podium on more than one occasion, including Australian long course and do the majority of my training on it. As Lance said, “It’s not about the bike”. Also on a practical note, particularly if you are looking at your first road bike, I’d start with an alloy one simply because it is a stronger frame. I say this with small incidents in mind, as I’m hoping your first ride won’t be hurtling down Galston gorge bound to come unstuck and destroy your carbon bike. I’m fairly sure I’m not alone in having dropped my bike on a few early rides that demanded I come to untimely stops at roundabouts and traffic lights. These small incidents, combined with hitting potholes and what not, happen much more frequently to new riders and will damage a carbon a bike and can render it to the scrap heap. The only bit of carbon I’d go for is front forks, they really do make a difference to the smoothness of the ride. And finally there is the decision between a road and a TT bike. I am largely referring to racing here as riding a TT bike all the time is not very common nor practical given its setup. And I think the issue is largely for people thinking about upgrading to a TT bike for races. Sure TT bikes can give you a better position and make you go faster but if your really comfortable on your road bike and can get into a decent position with clip-on aero bars then that can be just as good. After all in long distance triathlons comfort is paramount and if you can happily ride your current bike without having to break aero then I’d think twice about getting a new bike. For my part, I picked up my Cervelo P3 TT bike as a reward to myself for qualifying for world champs. I find it to be an incredible machine and I think it was well worth my pennies. But I also know a lot of guys who race on their originally road bike whilst their TT bikes sit in their garage

Figure 3: My Cervelo P3, what more could I need?

Photo : Chris Lew (www.lewmedia.com.au)

So that’s it for my first blog, I’ll spend my next month pedalling around contemplating all the other bits and pieces I’ve picked up! Till then, happy training.