"If you're going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill
Traditional Triathlon Injuries/Pain
From the Womens Special K Triathlon to the ultimate Ironman, the triathlon is a fantastic sport to challenge your body across a range of disciplines. Each of the three disciplines, cycling, running and swimming put a variety of stresses and strains on the body. Most participants have a favourite and a weaker discipline and that's where we can help strengthening the parts of your body you need to fully enjoy each of the sports and teaching you the tricks and cadences of transistions. (See our Running and Cycling pages for more details on these particular disciplines.)With regards to swimming there are three common problem areas to be aware of:
- Shoulders: for all disciplines the shoulders are placed under load in internal rotation – creating major overuse/rotator cuff problems (the only exception to this is backstroke)
- Mid-Spine: breaststroke and butterfly in particular place huge loads on the midspine, as the ‘catch’ phase is so far forward with the mid-spine flexion
- Lumbar Spine: swimming is pretty much a gravity-free sport. The body is long, and what little gravity there is means that the lumbar spine takes all the load as it is the farthest point from either end. Also, in breaststroke and butterfly because of this point, the lumbar spine tends to be the pivot as the torso lifts out of the water.
How we help
Our instructors are specialists in the biomechanics behind cycling, running and swimming and will tailor a COREfit® Programme specifically to your strengths, weaknesses and lifestyle.
In regards to combining these all into the wonderful Triathlon we know and love there are some traditional problems associated with the combination of swimming, then cycling, then running:
- Quadricep Overuse: due to the fact that triathletes/ironmen ride before they run, it is traditional to overuse the quads in the riding position, then find fatigued quads for the run ahead
- Calf (Gastroc’s) problems: swimming in plantar flexion (foot pointed), poor ankling technique on the bike then getting off the bike to run can put huge loads through the archillies attachment and gastrocs as the group gets very tight.
All of these potential problems are dealt with in the COREfit® Triathlon Programme so you can really enjoy your day racing.
Your COREfit® Triathlon Programme
First up we will biomechanically assess your body's strengths and weaknesses in each of the Triathlon disiplines. You will possibly know which are your strongest and weakest links, so we will be able to tell you why from a biomechanical point of view, and work with you to train your body into becoming as efficient as possible in each of the areas that the assessment highlights as requiring the most attention.
Through core postural strengthening you will become a stronger athlete overall. Then personalised specific strength training will be applied to any problem areas, making you a more efficient, stronger swimmer, cyclist and runner, preventing a lot of common injuries. Through the knowledge you will learn about your body's specific triggers and idosyncracies you will gain the tools to self-detect and manage any possible injury triggers and be able to work harder, faster for longer thus reaching your goals quicker and hopefully with a minimum of injuries.
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