Eric and Ernie, Ant and Dec, Ali and Jonny. As double acts go, for more than a decade mention 'triathlon' to the British public at large and the likely response is: 'Brownlee Brothers.' For the early part of their careers, the duo was inseparable on starting pontoons and not much further apart at the finish. Since Rio 2016 their paths have started to diverge, but until this year were always linked by Olympic ambition. Yet after being thwarted from defending his title in Tokyo 2020, Alistair finally made a clean break to long course. For Jonny, it's the Commonwealths in Birmingham this summer and then head down to Paris 2024. We caught up with both to find out how they're embracing their respective challenges...
220: Jonny, at 32, what's the biggest challenge to staying competitive at short-course racing?
JB: I remember being a young athlete growing up and [former GB pro and London 2012 Olympian] Stu Hayes telling me that when I reached his age, recovery would be harder. I was 20 years old and was like: 'What are you on about?"
I used to be able to do a hard track session on a Tuesday night and be up like a spring chicken for a run on Wednesday morning. Now it takes a little bit longer to get going. The hard aspect is keeping the intensity in training over the period I need it.
The calendar is also more difficult. We used to start racing in Madrid in May and finish the World Series by September. The current series lasts over a year. I think I'm going to pick and choose my races over the next three years.
220: Is it also about retaining enough speed on the run?
This story is from the July 2022 edition of 220 Triathlon.
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This story is from the July 2022 edition of 220 Triathlon.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.
The Olympic Champion - On 31 July, Great Britain's Alex Yee put together arguably the greatest one-day performance we have ever seen at an Olympic Games to win gold. And we were there at the finish line to speak to tri's new poster boy...
The opening line of the race report read how 20 years on from New Zealand’s first and only Olympic triathlon gold medal, Hayden Wilde had put in a careerbest performance to regain the title for his nation. Then Alex Yee comes around the corner.Yee’s charge, seemingly from nowhere on the final lap of the 10km run in Paris, didn’t just help him become the most decorated Olympic male triathlete of all time, and didn’t just cap a rivalry that has been building for six years, it left seasoned watchers of swim, bike, run in awe. It will go down as one of the greatest triathlon races; Yee, still just 26, as one of the greatest triathletes. His medals from Paris added to the two from Tokyo, leaving his haul at two gold, a silver and a bronze, and counting.
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