Adventure Training

This will mean there is going to be more preparing than your typical fun-run. Here is what I have learnt myself in these events.

No matter how fit you “think” you are ; multi-sport / adventure racing can take anyone by surprise. And speaking from personal experience, jumping from Swim – Run – Bike – Kayak (or any combination of the four) can leave you in discomfort, cramping & even some pain. I’ll give you an example. In my earlier Adventure races, the Dunsborough X Adventure, I jumped in feet first – NO RACE SPECIFIC TRAINING. I thought myself as a good Swimmer, at the time I was riding 15km to and from work at least once a week, and I ran multiple times a week. I had thought at the time that this was enough training, but man was I wrong!

Swim leg was first up & it absolutely wiped me out. I hadn’t trained for swimming at all and definitely did not prepare for how intense an ocean swim can be. Struggling into the first transition & began walking the run leg. Coming into final leg, the Bike leg, I was battling leg cramp after leg cramp. I finished the race so deflated and avoided the race for 2 years after that.

Following this experience I had began putting in more time into preparing for Adventure Races. By training in each of the disciplines and also combining them in the same time period I began improving my experience in these events. I had even learnt the hard way, of fuelling my body for the duration and demands of Adventure Racing.

Now I haven’t shared this part of my Adventure race journey to scare you, but to highlight the importance of Race Specific training. Adventure Race weekends are Epic. The atmosphere is electric & the pride you feel just for completing the race is immense. All the effort you put into your specific training prior is well worth it.

SO… To be race ready what should your training plan look like?

Week of Training

Example of training plan….