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When Science Wins, Does Sport Lose?
Striking a Balance
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
ENGINE
A sustained 50-minute aerobic workout designed to build your engine and endurance. Expect continuous movement across the bike, rower, ski erg, and running, all at a manageable, steady pace.
GYMNASTICS
This week is all about the bar! On Tuesday, we’ll continue working on pulling strength, followed by kipping and butterfly progressions. On Thursday, Bar Muscle Ups will make an appearance. Get ready for low bar drills, strength work and BMU progressions galore.
HYROX
A high-intensity session focused on building leg strength and muscular endurance. We will finish each movement with short runs to build resilience under fatigue.
MOBILITY
Back to the flows, yes, back in popular demand, I’m running it back. Full body stretching ended with stability/activation of course.
PURE STRENGTH
This week in Pure Strength, we kick off Monday with a heavy set of RDLS, followed by some Front squat volume, and then some frontal plane strength work. On Wednesday, we have some overcoming isometrics to kick our session off, followed by some cluster sets on the bench press, and then some push-pull accessory work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch; we are breaking down the movement. Starting with the 3-position snatch. Drilling the timings under the barbell. Followed by snatch pulls and a complex of behind-the-neck push press into OHS.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 5 mins blocks. You will take a 2 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 300m repeats at 3km pace, each with a very easy float between.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 100m effort through the park behind InnerFight, you will then have 300m easy/recovery before repeating the sequence.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be working on a negative split run. After 20 mins of easy running you will go into 1 min on, 1 min off intervals for 30 mins. Post session coffees at Common Grounds from 7am.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pressing tempo push-up work, followed by some bench press and death march, and then a strongman-style workout for an epic start to the week!
Strength:
A) EMOM x 8 - 3 to 5 tempo push-ups tempo @31x1
B) Every 90 sec x 10 alt between - 5 Barbell bench press @20x1 (building) & 16 alt DB death march
Conditioning:
For Time:
10-1 Sandbag Over Shoulder
1-10 Dumbbell STOH
Tuesday:
Tuesday, we have some sled work in the strength, and then some Interval work that will challenge your squat and pull endurance.
Strength:
A) 6 mins build to max triple broad jump
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 2 mins x 5 2 length sled push
Conditioning:
4 min window
30 sec wall sit
30 wall balls
15 pull-ups
AMRAP cal ski
Rest 2 mins x 4
Wednesday:
Wednesday is all about the barbell in both the skill and a fast-paced
Squat clean and run workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 8 - 2 power clean + 2 push press
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 90 sec x 3 6 BB good mornings @30x1
Conditioning:
For Time:
15-12- 9 Squat Cleans
After each set, a park run
Thursday:
Thursday, we have some strict pull-up work followed by a long endurance workout on the rower.
Strength:
A: In a 2-minute window, establish a MAX unbroken set of strict pull-ups/chest 2 bar/bar muscle-ups
+
B: EMOM 8 @ 33% of A
Conditioning:
30 mins Max Cal Row:
0-10 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpees
11-20 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump
21-30 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump over
Friday:
FUF, we are finishing off with some single-leg and core work, and then 6 rounds of
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 20 sec strict TTB/SLR
rest 2 min
B) Every 2 mins x 4 - 12 alt front rack KB reverse lunge
Conditioning:
6 Rounds For Time:
12 TTB
40/30 Cal Ass Bike and C2 bike (Alternating)
20 Russian KB Swing
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 5 mins blocks. You will take a 2 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 300m repeats at 3km pace, each with a very easy float between.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 100m effort through the park behind InnerFight, you will then have 300m easy/recovery before repeating the sequence.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be working on a negative split run. After 20 mins of easy running you will go into 1 min on, 1 min off intervals for 30 mins. Post session coffees at Common Grounds from 7am.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pressing tempo push-up work, followed by some bench press and death march, and then a strongman-style workout for an epic start to the week!
Strength:
A) EMOM x 8 - 3 to 5 tempo push-ups tempo @31x1
B) Every 90 sec x 10 alt between - 5 Barbell bench press @20x1 (building) & 16 alt DB death march
Conditioning:
For Time:
10-1 Sandbag Over Shoulder
1-10 Dumbbell STOH
Tuesday:
Tuesday, we have some sled work in the strength, and then some Interval work that will challenge your squat and pull endurance.
Strength:
A) 6 mins build to max triple broad jump
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 2 mins x 5 2 length sled push
Conditioning:
4 min window
30 sec wall sit
30 wall balls
15 pull-ups
AMRAP cal ski
Rest 2 mins x 4
Wednesday:
Wednesday is all about the barbell in both the skill and a fast-paced
Squat clean and run workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 8 - 2 power clean + 2 push press
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 90 sec x 3 6 BB good mornings @30x1
Conditioning:
For Time:
15-12- 9 Squat Cleans
After each set, a park run
Thursday:
Thursday, we have some strict pull-up work followed by a long endurance workout on the rower.
Strength:
A: In a 2-minute window, establish a MAX unbroken set of strict pull-ups/chest 2 bar/bar muscle-ups
+
B: EMOM 8 @ 33% of A
Conditioning:
30 mins Max Cal Row:
0-10 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpees
11-20 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump
21-30 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump over
Friday:
FUF, we are finishing off with some single-leg and core work, and then 6 rounds of
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 20 sec strict TTB/SLR
rest 2 min
B) Every 2 mins x 4 - 12 alt front rack KB reverse lunge
Conditioning:
6 Rounds For Time:
12 TTB
40/30 Cal Ass Bike and C2 bike (Alternating)
20 Russian KB Swing
ENGINE
A sustained 50-minute aerobic workout designed to build your engine and endurance. Expect continuous movement across the bike, rower, ski erg, and running, all at a manageable, steady pace.
GYMNASTICS
This week is all about the bar! On Tuesday, we’ll continue working on pulling strength, followed by kipping and butterfly progressions. On Thursday, Bar Muscle Ups will make an appearance. Get ready for low bar drills, strength work and BMU progressions galore.
HYROX
A high-intensity session focused on building leg strength and muscular endurance. We will finish each movement with short runs to build resilience under fatigue.
MOBILITY
Back to the flows, yes, back in popular demand, I’m running it back. Full body stretching ended with stability/activation of course.
PURE STRENGTH
This week in Pure Strength, we kick off Monday with a heavy set of RDLS, followed by some Front squat volume, and then some frontal plane strength work. On Wednesday, we have some overcoming isometrics to kick our session off, followed by some cluster sets on the bench press, and then some push-pull accessory work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch; we are breaking down the movement. Starting with the 3-position snatch. Drilling the timings under the barbell. Followed by snatch pulls and a complex of behind-the-neck push press into OHS.
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 5 mins blocks. You will take a 2 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 300m repeats at 3km pace, each with a very easy float between.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 100m effort through the park behind InnerFight, you will then have 300m easy/recovery before repeating the sequence.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be working on a negative split run. After 20 mins of easy running you will go into 1 min on, 1 min off intervals for 30 mins. Post session coffees at Common Grounds from 7am.
Monday:
Starting the week with some pressing tempo push-up work, followed by some bench press and death march, and then a strongman-style workout for an epic start to the week!
Strength:
A) EMOM x 8 - 3 to 5 tempo push-ups tempo @31x1
B) Every 90 sec x 10 alt between - 5 Barbell bench press @20x1 (building) & 16 alt DB death march
Conditioning:
For Time:
10-1 Sandbag Over Shoulder
1-10 Dumbbell STOH
Tuesday:
Tuesday, we have some sled work in the strength, and then some Interval work that will challenge your squat and pull endurance.
Strength:
A) 6 mins build to max triple broad jump
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 2 mins x 5 2 length sled push
Conditioning:
4 min window
30 sec wall sit
30 wall balls
15 pull-ups
AMRAP cal ski
Rest 2 mins x 4
Wednesday:
Wednesday is all about the barbell in both the skill and a fast-paced
Squat clean and run workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 8 - 2 power clean + 2 push press
Rest 2 mins
B) Every 90 sec x 3 6 BB good mornings @30x1
Conditioning:
For Time:
15-12- 9 Squat Cleans
After each set, a park run
Thursday:
Thursday, we have some strict pull-up work followed by a long endurance workout on the rower.
Strength:
A: In a 2-minute window, establish a MAX unbroken set of strict pull-ups/chest 2 bar/bar muscle-ups
+
B: EMOM 8 @ 33% of A
Conditioning:
30 mins Max Cal Row:
0-10 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpees
11-20 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump
21-30 mins every 2:30 mins 6 burpee box jump over
Friday:
FUF, we are finishing off with some single-leg and core work, and then 6 rounds of
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 20 sec strict TTB/SLR
rest 2 min
B) Every 2 mins x 4 - 12 alt front rack KB reverse lunge
Conditioning:
6 Rounds For Time:
12 TTB
40/30 Cal Ass Bike and C2 bike (Alternating)
20 Russian KB Swing
ENGINE
A sustained 50-minute aerobic workout designed to build your engine and endurance. Expect continuous movement across the bike, rower, ski erg, and running, all at a manageable, steady pace.
GYMNASTICS
This week is all about the bar! On Tuesday, we’ll continue working on pulling strength, followed by kipping and butterfly progressions. On Thursday, Bar Muscle Ups will make an appearance. Get ready for low bar drills, strength work and BMU progressions galore.
HYROX
A high-intensity session focused on building leg strength and muscular endurance. We will finish each movement with short runs to build resilience under fatigue.
MOBILITY
Back to the flows, yes, back in popular demand, I’m running it back. Full body stretching ended with stability/activation of course.
PURE STRENGTH
This week in Pure Strength, we kick off Monday with a heavy set of RDLS, followed by some Front squat volume, and then some frontal plane strength work. On Wednesday, we have some overcoming isometrics to kick our session off, followed by some cluster sets on the bench press, and then some push-pull accessory work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting this week is snatch; we are breaking down the movement. Starting with the 3-position snatch. Drilling the timings under the barbell. Followed by snatch pulls and a complex of behind-the-neck push press into OHS.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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