What is an 'A' Race in triathlon?
'A' races are the events where you aim to perform at your best, your main target events of the season.
Beginner and intermediate athletes typically plan for just one 'A' race, while more advanced athletes may have several.
These events are the focal point of your training and preparation, where you strive to reach peak fitness.
My Name is Norma Coker (one of ZONE3 Pro Team USA's athletes) and I’ve set my sights on 70.3 Cozumel—my “A” race for the season.
This tropical event takes place on September 22nd, and my goal is to place top 3 in my age group and qualify for the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain.
This is the race where all of my focused training, nutrition planning, and mental preparation will come together.
Establishing a Solid Training Foundation
Build Your Base
A solid aerobic base is essential for success in any endurance event, but it’s especially important when preparing for a race in heat and humidity.
Tropical heat and humidity can quickly wear down even the most prepared athletes, so my training has focused on building both endurance and heat adaptation to ensure I can perform at a high level throughout the race.
To prepare for the hot conditions, I’ve been increasing the intensity and duration of my workouts while training during the hottest parts of the day. The goal is to adapt my body to handle the heat and stay strong throughout the entire race.
Training Tips:
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Gradual progression: I’ve slowly increased my training volume and intensity to avoid burnout and injury while allowing my body to adapt.
- Heat acclimatization: Training in warm conditions has been essential to preparing for Cozumel’s tropical environment, with sessions scheduled during peak heat times.
Tailoring Training to Race-Specific Demands
Know the Course
Knowing the course you are going to be racing means you can take this into consideration in your training.
For example, if the swim is going to be choppy, practice swimming in these conditions. It could make you think about switching up your breathing technique - essentially you are making yourself as prepared as possible for race day.
Understanding the course is crucial when preparing for 70.3 Cozumel.
For my 'A' Race in Cozumel, the swim takes place in warm waters, meaning a wetsuit isn’t necessary, but open water conditions, including currents, can present challenges.
I have adapted my swimming to practice open water swimming without a wetsuit so I know I will feel more confident on race day.
Cozumel 70.3 features a flat, fast bike course, but it’s known for its strong winds and high humidity.
The run, like the bike, will be flat but requires smart pacing to avoid overheating in the tropical sun.
Race-Specific Training and Gear:
Knowing the course can also mean adapting the kit you need for race day.
- In Cozumel’s warm waters, I’ll wear my ZONE3 Streamline Sleeveless Swimskin, which reduces drag and ensures efficient swimming.
- During the bike and run, I’ll be racing in the ZONE3 Aeroforce-X II short sleeve tri suit, which is designed for maximum aerodynamics and comfort.
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For the run I wear lightweight, high-performance shoes. The Adidas Adios Pro 3 Running Shoes will give me the support and energy return I need to stay fast and comfortable during the run portion in Cozumel’s heat.
For my “B” race at Taupo, where conditions will be cooler, I’ll be using my ZONE3 Vanquish-X wetsuit for the swim and the same Aeroforce-X II tri suit for the bike and run.
My Volare Streamline Goggles will also be critical for both races to ensure clear, comfortable vision during the swim.
Nutrition and Hydration Strategy
Fuelling for Success
Nutrition and hydration are make-or-brea