MEET SEAN
Sean McFarlane was runner-up in the inaugural Celtman, City to Summit and Brutal extreme triathlons. He runs This Way Up Media, a film production company, and Athletico Management with Dougie Vipond and Andy McCandlish.
I've been descending for quite some time. As I do, that familiar insect thrum you hear in warmer climates gets louder and louder. I'm reliably informed these insects are called cicadas, and I seem to be heading to their annual conference.
The previously warm breeze now feels like a hairdryer on the highest setting and on the tighter corners I can hear the crash barriers cracking in the heat.
At just under 400 metres above sea level, I'm approaching the lowest and therefore hottest part of the bike leg of the Eaglexman extreme triathlon in Italy.
I know from the course profile that thankfully I'm not at this altitude for long, and no sooner have I reached the bottom of the descent that it levels, and quickly starts to rise again. My pace drops like a stone, and I feel the full impact of the heat. Yup, this is hot. Mercifully there's a breeze and while it's far from cool, it does help.
My loyal supporter Giulio joins the queue at a water fountain and asks if I want a head shower. Using an expletive or two, I answer in the affirmative and he pours an entire bottle through my helmet. It feels good but the respite is all too brief. Looking ahead and behind me, I see other competitors, all in that familiar head down pose and zig zagging up the ascent, just like me.
Esta historia es de la edición October 2024 de 220 Triathlon.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 2024 de 220 Triathlon.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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How to Carb Load - Packing your working cells with carbohydrates in the build-up to your big race is a proven strategy to race stronger and faster...
Whichever distance triathlon you're racing, the intensity and duration of your activity will see your body tap into its stores of carbohydrates (in the form of glycogen) to power your effort. While it's possible to top up your tank on the go, it's better to start your event with your stores full to the brim.
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POLAR GRIT X2 PRO
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