My background is as a competitive swimmer competing at both county and national level. However, due to the repetitive nature of swim training, I decided several years ago that it was time to try something a little different and chose triathlon.

Making the move into triathlon is without a doubt the best sporting decision I have ever made. The training is so much more interesting than ten pool sessions a week and I love the challenge of trying to achieve peak levels of fitness in three different disciplines simultaneously.

I have competed in races of all distances from sprint to Ironman and have enjoyed seeing my performances improve year after year. Some of my favourite races I’ve completed include Ironman UK, Challenge Henley, IM Mallorca 70.3 and IM UK 70.3. I’ve qualified for the 70.3 World Championships and couple of times and hope to do so again this year.

Away from triathlon, I manage to squeeze in a full-time job as a lecturer in sports science and exercise and fitness. My expertise in this area, combined with my passion for triathlon, has enabled me successfully develop training programmes for triathletes that are specifically designed with their goals in mind.

If an athlete is to get the best out their training, the duration, intensity and type of session need to be appropriate to the type of race they are training for, and where the athlete is with their training cycle. The programme needs to be focused on the athlete achieving their peak levels of fitness in all three sports in time for the main race(s) of the season.

Of course swimming, cycling and running are the key elements of any triathlete’s training programme, but often neglected are exercises to improve core stability, flexibility and strength which are essential to maximise performance and reduce the risks of injury.

For more information or advice, please email me: james@triathloncoaching.uk.com