Renowned endurance coach Chris Hinshaw discusses running training for HYROX, mental aspects of sports, why warmups are important, and what sets top athletes apart. The conversation delves into coaching elite athletes like Mat Fraser and Tia Clair Toomey, as well as Hinshaw's own athletic achievements. Overall, a fascinating chat with valuable insights for athletes.
High-level athletes prioritize training specificity for enhanced performance.
Champions like Matt Fraser embrace challenges, showcasing unwavering commitment to goals.
Analyzing events like High Rocks enhances competitive strategies for optimal performance outcomes.
Deep dives
Training Specificity and Risk-Taking
High-level athletes like Matt Fraser are willing to take risks and prioritize training specificity. In the podcast, it was highlighted that understanding the relationship between different training protocols and movements, such as training legs separately from arms on an assault bike or focusing on cadence in running, can lead to enhanced performance. Athletes willing to challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones, showing an unwavering commitment to improvement, display common traits observed among champions in various sports.
Embracing Challenges and Ownership
Champions in sports, as illustrated by Matt Fraser's example, embrace challenges and take full ownership of their goals. Despite potential setbacks, their determination to succeed overrides the fear of failure. Matt's willingness to prioritize areas like running, despite potential backlash from traditional training beliefs, exemplifies the champion mindset of betting on oneself and being prepared to face adversity while striving for excellence.
Event Analysis and Performance Optimization
The podcast delves into the importance of analyzing events like High Rocks for optimal performance outcomes. By examining variables such as sticking points in workouts and understanding the impact of pacing decisions on results, athletes can enhance their competitive strategies. Coachable traits in elite athletes, including the ability to adapt training based on direct event insights and data-driven assessments, are essential elements that contribute to sustained success in demanding sporting events.
Efficient Event Logistics at High Rocks Events
High Rocks events showcased impressive logistical planning, ensuring smooth athlete flow and preventing overlaps. In Chicago, a meticulously designed layout allowed for seamless transitions from warm-ups to starting lines, creating a structured and flawless experience. With minimal staff due to clear organization, athletes seamlessly moved through the event's various sections from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., exemplifying efficient event management.
Strategic Warm-ups for High Rocks Performance
Proper athlete warm-ups for High Rocks events play a critical role in optimizing performance. Ensuring effective warm-ups involves elevating the cardiorespiratory system to activate the aerobic energy system efficiently. By challenging the neurological system through short, fast sprints and focusing on preparing the muscles for specific movements, athletes can enhance their performance and prevent early fatigue. Strategic warm-ups minimize reliance on anaerobic energy and promote quicker activation of the aerobic system, contributing to sustained performance throughout the event.
In this week’s episode of the Rox Lyfe podcast my guest is the brilliant Chris Hinshaw. Chris is a world-renowned endurance coach and founder of aerobiccapacity.com, with years of experience in CrossFit, Ironman competitions, and coaching elite athletes. He has helped coach some of the biggest names in CrossFit including Mat Fraser, Rich Froning, and Tia Clair Toomey. Beyond CrossFit, Chris has also coached Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champions, Olympians, FBI and military personnel, firefighters and other professionals. In addition to his coaching, Chris was an elite athlete in his own right (which included a second-place finish at the Ironman World Championships). It’s fair to say this man knows his stuff and it was an honour to be able to chat with him. We cover so much – running training for HYROX, the mental side of sport, his thoughts around HYROX in general, why many people get their warmup wrong, what separates some of the top athletes of all time – like Mat Fraser – with others, and lots more. It was a brilliant chat and I think there’s a huge amount you can take away from this.
🏅 Built For Athletes offer premium fitness backpacks, trusted by over 150,000 everyday and elite athletes. With the highest score on Trustpilot of any fitness backpack, their bags are perfect for storing all your gear, travelling to events, taking your stuff to the gym, basically for pretty much anywhere you go! And whats more, if you don’t yet have one, or if youre like me and want to continually add to your collection, then use code ROX20 and they will very kindly give you a whopping 20% off your order. So head over to builtforathletes.com now (they're great!)
