Right from an early age, motivation changes throughout a training session - a fact Alistair Brownlee intimately understands as a professional triathlete. While the spark that propels you to begin differs from the driving force behind each challenging set, easy low-level training remains a critical aspect for both recovery and overall performance. Swimming was never just an exercise for Brownlee; it was a challenge, a path towards greater physical prowess, and a journey to becoming a better version of himself.
Alistair's journey truly kicked off with the discovery of "unstructured experimentation” during his initial triathlon training. This involved shuffling between different activities; each carried out on different days. His regimen was heavily flavored with low-level aerobic training counterbalanced by episodes of high-intensity training. Shedding light on the long-ignored aspects, Brownlee underscores the importance of sleep in an athlete’s daily routine. Anecdotal as it may be, he avers that every hour one sleeps before midnight is equivalent to two after.
Moving to nutrition, Alistair traces how his approach has evolved over time. Growing up, his diet was a well-rounded, family-oriented one. However, as a budding athlete, nutrition wasn't the priority, although he was conscious of performance-driven dietary needs. As his experience and maturity grew in the sports world, he gradually recognized nutrition's significant contribution to an athlete's health and performance.
In his later athletic years, Alistair began experimenting with different combinations of carbohydrates, trying to understand the maximum intake his body could metabolize. He recognized the significant role of protein in facilitating recovery after rigorous sessions, which inevitably became a staple in his post-training meals.
His consistent exercise routine highlights the constant requirement to balance shorter and longer workouts. This variety helped Alistair in his specific event preparations while preserving his health and overall performance. A target as simple as ten hours of exercise per week became an instrumental part of his routine.
As anyone in the world of fitness can attest, remove the barriers, and the path to consistency becomes smoother. For Brownlee, ensuring his equipment was always ready and accessible, finding good company during training, and being in a comfortable environment played a significant role in keeping up his momentum.
Beyond his sports career, Alistair also ventured into health and fitness startups. He began investing in early-stage companies with unique Intellectual Property that removed barriers to physical activity, aligning with his personal experience and passion for fitness. His plans revolve around establishing a fund for sports technology startups, fostering a wider community engaged in physical fitness.
Alistair Brownlee's ventures aren't confined to the personal investment sphere. His ambitious plans also entail establishing the Brownie Foundation, engaging in sports politics, and enhancing his investment portfolio around sports tech. Today, Alistair continues his journey as an accomplished athlete and a source of inspiration, a mentor for many, and an influencer actively shaping the world of sports fitness.