Racing and training overseas

[PB Triathlon Editor]

It is becoming increasingly affordable and practical to travel further these days. For the lazy winter trainers or compulsive/addictive athletes, the lure & motivation of travelling beyond the countries borders can be highly motivational & beneficial. You get the stimulation of a new environment, you avoid running into too many familiar faces and get to step outside your comfort zone. Here I'll cover some of the more important aspects of what you may want to consider if looking at an event overseas.

What Event to Choose?
With overseas Olympic distance events now proving popular, you have the choice of racing this conventional distance or right through to the half & full Ironman events. Choose a distance you have some experience with, competing in an event you have not prepared for, far from home can be a miserable experience. Set some objectives: winter shake up, social outing or competitive test? Like any race, setting yourself goals, even if one is to gather experience and get a tan at the same time, can keep you focused. You want to make the trip worth your while, even if you're using it as a mid season tune up.

Where to Go?
Australia offers more race distances & dates than any other country in the region and it's only logical to look here first. They speak English, like to put on events and have some great beaches too. The Noosa festival in November has always been an attraction for kiwis and many come back with tall tales of the night life. There is now a half-Ironman series too which runs through the year from May to January for those with more stamina, with most of races on the sunny East coast. Those that want to target an early season IM should look at Perth in late November. A 10-12 week build up for a Half will suit most experienced athletes, the courses are predominantly flat and not highly technical which means your winter training can continue as planned with a few minor modifications to suit. The long course freaks should start something specific around 16-18 weeks out. Perth has a fairly fast and flat course so make sure you get a good amount of specific training done for this one.

Why Travel?
Most, if not all who choose to head to these events do so with a group of friends or with the family. It's always good to travel in numbers as it helps you relax a little more knowing you have friends competing and enjoying the same experience. Incorporating the holiday/break afterwards is very easy and a great reason to travel in the first place. Most events offer some sort of package that allows some well earned R&R post race.

Technicalities
Make yourself fully aware of the different rules and regulations regarding the event, overseas race bodies tend to be fairly strict on these. Prepare for zero flexibility in the areas of drafting and outside assistance - things than can be fairly liberal back home.

You will generally need to purchase a one-day licence and race insurance in some cases. It always pays to make sure that you and your gear are covered the best they can be.

Travel Light
You can choose to wrap your bike up in cotton wool and a solid case, which can be a drain on time and resources or use the trusty cardboard box and duct tape method. Avoid over packing, you don't need to take a workshop and three sets of everything. Save the space for any new gear you might bring back! Always check the airlines policy on carrying oversize items before turning up with them.

For a serious tilt at a fair weather race in a different climate your biggest factor will be the heat & humidity. Make sure you have a plan in place prior to arriving to cope with this, most races now have a good climate description, or the web will provide some real time data for you to take into account. Working out the correct travel dates & time difference can really lessen the stress on the body as a whole. Aim to arrive at least 3/4 days before a Half Ironman and up to 12 days before an Ironman depending on your experience.

Plan Early
Though most organisers welcome entries from other countries, some races do sell out. For those that want to travel further a field, getting some sound advice from a fellow athlete who's been there and done that bodes well. Ironman races in the northern hemisphere can fill up a year in advance; a letter of enquiry well ahead of time can usually secure you a spot. Triathlete discussion/debate forums can also provide some solid real time info on how well a race is run and what local conditions are really like.

Competing overseas offers a different experience and can actually put more demands on you mentally - carting equipment round the world isn't that enjoyable but once you get to race day the experience can be all worth it. There's some satisfaction in reeling off your overseas exploits, even if it is only limited to during the weekend bunch ride, so this season or next look at what some international experience will do for you.


About the author of this article
Oliver Piggin, a coach at endurancecoach.com comes from a varied background in sport, even spending 5 years in the Navy sailing, diving and seeing the world, but now he specialises in racing Half Ironman and Ironman distance triathlons in the pro ranks. 2003 saw Olly using the Endurance Coach system to train for his first Ironman. The result? A 9:12 at IMNZ in 2003 and first place in the 25 - 29 age group. In 2004 he completed IM Hawaii, and raced to 8th place at IMNZ '04'. All while working fulltime, buying a house and keeping onside with his fiancé!

"I have a common sense, practical, no shortcuts approach to training. I've found that the right program structure is critical to success and the feedback and monitoring from your coach during the different training cycles is invaluable. My coaching philosophies and training strategies match the Endurance Coach systems."

Olivers' belief is that a balanced lifestyle and proper time management are the keys to success and enjoyment of your sport. He is looking forward to helping others achieve their sporting goals and sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow athletes. Results are directly proportional to the effort you put in to achieving them."

Article reproduced, courtesy of Endurancecoach.com. Endurancecoach.com believes that every athlete is different and therefore needs a training program geared specifically to their personal ability, taking into account any weaknesses, time available and circumstances. Endurancecoach.com offers a variety of services ranging from one-on-one coaching to training plans for specific events and races. Visit Endurancecoach.com for more information or if you are looking for world leading coaches to assist you, e-mail Endurancecoach.com at [e-mail].

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