Matty White

Back on Track

After a decent break from Challenge Cairns (2 weeks) I have managed to drag my body back into some sort of training routine in preparation for Yeppoon 70.3 and my US trip hopefully to Kona which I will elaborate on later!

So far I have been back for about 4 weeks and have been feeling great. I have implemented a few different things into my preparation this year which include upping the ante with my altitude simulation training and increased WATTBIKE sessions with an emphasis on building strength, Wattbikes are great for these types of sessions as they are so specific measuring wattage, distance, heart rate, speed and everything else that you can think of, even a pedal graph which shows how your pedal rotations are working on an even axel! Plus with the cold winter its easier to stay indoors.

As I will be travelling direct to Boulder I want to make sure I am acclimitised before I get there so I can hit the ground running, so I have been really working the ATS simulator hard with hard interval sessions at 3400m, and believe me they are gut wrenching. I have been using the system for 7 months now and the increase in performance is amazing as when I started with the unit I was wiped out from just doing 1hr at 1800m at an easy pace so I am a big believer in this type of training and the results are speaking for themselves.

SO what else is new? Not much really apart from battling the elements here in RADelaide, I am lucky enough to have a few riding buddies down here who keep me company in the cold which is great, but I tell you what, those bakery stops are getting harder and harder to get going again especially on the colder wet days. I have decided to stay in Adelaide a bit longer this year and try to peak later on in the year with the hope of racing Kona as a pro again. KPR points is the magic word at the moment for most pro athletes trying to crack the top 40 by July 31st, currently I am 37th on the list with a few big races left and not knowing who will take their spot leaves me a little bit frustrated by not knowing if I am racing or not. Plus adding to the fact they take another 10 athletes in August and bang you have qualified for Kona as pro and here is 6-8 weeks to get ready, book flights and accom! But that is the new ruling which certainly tips the advantage toward US athletes with the abundance of points races so we just have to accept it. I believe Aussie athletes will be a lot better off next year with a heap of new 70.3 races on the circuit.

On the sponsorship front I have recently joined the Shimano Global Tri Team which I am extremely excited about as I have been using the products for a while now and the DI2 system is without a doubt the best shifting system on the planet and with the Shimano worldwide support network I will never be without the best products and support wherever I may be racing or training.

Also I have just been issued with a new running shoe from Saucony which is cutting edge in terms of minimalist running, its called the Saucony Hattori and is literally an extension of your foot. Unlike other very minimal shoes, the Hattori’s mitten-like toe box gives your toes room to naturally arch, grip and push off. To further leverage natural toe movement, the sole features a visible flex groove in back of the toes and in front of the metatarsals, it weighs about 125grams and you don’t even realise you are wearing it!
It is designed for forefoot runners and that suits me perfectly you can check it out here at Sauconys new Aussie website which has just come online! http://www.saucony.com.au/201261-black-slime-green.html

I hope everyone is getting through the cold of winter and enduring the late nights watching the Tour De France, it is always hard for me watching the tour as I used to live in France in my early 20s racing for a French club in Le Provence and we would always go and watch some stages, I was lucky enough to be on Mount Ventoux when Pantani and Armstrong duelled it out as well as Alpe Du Huez for the famous hill time trial! So there is great memories watching this epic race.

I also have been working hard with my good mate Dan Peters from http://danpeters.com.au/ on a really cool little video which we are just putting the finishing touches on, I won’t talk too much about it but Dan has some serious talent and can’t wait to get it out there, so as soon as its online I will post it up.

I am conducting an info night for any SA athletes interested with the Physios from Back in Motion Campbelltown on Wednesday the 27th of July at 8pm, the night is free and will provide some great information on injury prevention and general preparation for anyone looking at running the City Bay Fun Run in a few months, so call 83645907 to book in.

Take Care.

Matty