Like a duck to water..

Last night we hosted the regional triathlon academy at our open water venue and had 22 youngsters join us on the night.. the usual mix of adult novices, intermediates and experts were also on hand but there's nothing like the sight of triathlon kids mixing it in open water to warm your heart!

There were 10 coaches assisting on the night, some on the lake side and others in the water to provide 'water safety cover'.. Helen Hyder of Man Tri looked after the T2 athletes and in true mother duck fashion lead her group around the turn buoys in perfect formation.

Matt Shillabeer, Mike Myers, Richard Mason and Mark Walsh had the task of taking the T3/Youth/Junior athletes, Matt (ABC) and Mike (Tri Team Wigan) on the side and Richard (COLT) and Mark (Kudu Bikes) in the water providing safety cover.. it is perhaps worth noting guys that to provide safety cover.. you need to keep up with them.. but a good effort nonetheless (Richard has just done 10:30 at Lanza to be fair!).

They also had the presence of Simon Mills, head of performance development for British Triathlon who came along from Loughborough to check out the academy progress..

All in all a great evening and great to see young talent swimming like dolphins and enjoying the freedom of open water swimming.. what a sport this is..

See you all at Chester, NW Olympic Distance Championships.. don't miss it!

Here endeth theenduranceblog..

That man.. he talk funny..

Over the last 6 months I feel as though I have picked up a whole range of interesting terms relating to endurance training. I think it is important that as athletes, we understand these specific terms in order that we may better understand the environment in which we train and the athletes amongst who, we spend our time.

This is the endurance coach 'jargon buster' of triathlon training terms which I have recently accumulated from within the Wigan borough:

1. I'm as f****d as a robber's dog..

This phrase is for use during high intensity or prolonged exercise when the athlete suffers from an extreme level of fatigue... this phrase may also be replaced with the slightly stranger but less offensive:

2. I am absolutely badgered..

During a cycle training ride, if a fellow team mate pulls up alongside with a glint in eye and wishes to warn you of a pending attack on the next climb, he may well say:

3. Are we 'avin a do' ?

The phrase 'avin a do' is generally followed by a marked increase in both pace and heart rate.

If a fellow team mate does indeed 'ave a do' he may select a gear which requires him to generate more force but which also enables him to ride at a faster speed as a direct consequence. Your team mate may suggest that you select a similar gear ratio and will often say:

4. Stick it in'th big chonker..!!

Such training rides inevitably result in high levels of fatigue due to riders 'avin a do in'th big chonker' and in the last few miles they are generally 'badgered'. Following an hour in the coffee shop a team mate may stand up only to realise that they can barely move their legs. This acute inflammatory response goverened by the immune system is often described as:

5. I'm as stiff as a wizard's d**k!!

I am still learning and make a note of new terminology on a weekly basis.. I will endevour to keep you informed as the language develops.

Here endeth theenduranceblog..