A GROUP of triathletes in the Bathurst region are better prepared for future endurance events after participating in a special three-day master class camp.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A professional triathlete for the past four years, Tim Berkel and his coach Grant Giles, provided some insight and advice to the camp participants.
Berkel, who was the 2008 Ironman WA and this year’s Challenge Copenhagen winner, said he wanted to give a few tips which would help competitors when they are doing the hard yards in the middle of an endurance event.
“The majority of the boys on the camp are doing Ironman WA in two weeks time, so we have basically been just taking them through what it takes to complete an Ironman in the best shape possible,” he said.
“We took a holistic approach, giving the guys little tips that a local club might not know.
“My coach has been in the sport for years now, he was one of the first guys to do all of the Ironman events and myself being on the pro-circuit, there are a number of tips for people to make things easier.”
Berkel said the camp focused on the little things like pacing, nutrition and bike setup for the extreme endurance in Busselton. An event Berkel will now not be competing.
“I was supposed to be doing Ironman WA as well, but I’ve pulled out during last week,” he said.
“I’ve had a massive year, it has been a big year and my body is just telling me it is enough.
“So I’m just going to take the rest of the year off, enjoy Christmas with my family and friends and start back in the New Year.”
With the sport of triathlon growing in the Central West, Bathurst Wallabies Tri Club president Howard Yen said it was great to have professionals willing to give advice and support.
“It is fantastic having Tim Berkel here and his great coach in Grant Giles to help people here at the club,” he said.
“The training camp over the last few days has been great and I think everyone is just completely stuffed.”
Yen was just one of the camp participants and said he had learnt lots in three days.
“We started on Friday with a session of road cycling before doing some running as well followed by a swim,” he said.
“On Saturday we had an open water session, which was good, as well as a talk about race preparation and simulation training as well.
“We did a lot of work in the pool with stroke correction and we have been doing evening sessions talking about nutrition and hydration and race preparation.
“It has just been really good.”
Berkel, who took up triathlons as a way to keep fit during the Australian rules off season, said anyone could get into the sport no matter what their age or state of fitness.
“Get down to the Bathurst club if you want to have a go at triathlons, I’ve found the people are really friendly and it is a great atmosphere,” he said.
“Get down and give it ago.”
