Surefire safety measure: watch each other’s back

Renowned International triathlon coach Lance Watson asks athletes to watch each others back. (CDN PHOTO/ GLENDALE ROSAL)

Watch each other’s back during the race.

World renowned triathlon coach, Lance Watson believes that’s the best way to ensure everyone’s safety as the record field of 2,618 triathletes vie in today’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines starting at the Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Watson held a short forum before yesterday’s official race briefing on how to make the race a memorable experience for everyone.

An Olympic trainer and head of Lifesports Coaching, Watson also trains pro male defending champion Brent Mcmahon of Canada.

Watson also hailed the organizers’ decision to adopt the rolling start in the swim leg where participants are grouped according to their split times. This way he said, there will be no congestion. He also advised swimmers to use the freestyle instead of the breaststroke where there is a bigger chance of hitting the swimmer behind you.

This year’s record 2,618 Ironman 70.3 participants listen to TV weather broadcaster Kim Atienza give today’s weather forecast during the official race briefing.
(CDN PHOTO/ GLENDALE ROSAL)

He also encouraged swimmers to first test the water’s temperature for better adaptation. “Take the swim portion calmly because you’re going to swim 1.9-kilometers and that’s very long.”

For the bike portion, Watson reminded racers to be more careful since most accidents happen in the bike leg.

When making a change in direction, bikers should make sure that the riders behind him are aware of his intentions. “Be always predictable when making sudden change of direction and hydrate yourself because accidents happen when you start to get exhausted and dehydrated,” he added.

For the run portion, he advised against doing the masculine, bouncy stride just to look good because this causes the quadriceps or the lower body muscles to get exhausted. Instead use shorter strides and stop when exhausted. And always re-hydrate.

At the end of the forum, Watson asked the triathletes: “What are you doing here? My challenge to you tonight is to go home and prepare a really good answer because at the halfway mark of the race, I guarantee you, you’re gonna ask your self that question.