The year of 2020 was certainly an unprecedented time for everyone, and I wouldn’t be alone in saying that everything was ‘a bit all over the place’. As an athlete who loves training and racing there was that initial panic in response to pool and gym closures, movement restrictions, etc. Like everyone, I was left with a choice; do I rise to the challenge and adapt to the change, or sulk and wonder when it will all end? I was quickly reminded that almost everything in life is a choice. So, I chose to embrace the change and be constructive in my approach. Straight away I sought out some normal in this novel abnormal, which included making some new goals/targets, developing a routine that as a priority included physical exercise, eating healthily, and sleeping well. For many it was going to be a steep learning curve, with some finding it easier to adapt than others. Everyone was in the same boat however, from Olympic medal contenders to first-time novice athletes looking to finish their first race.

 

Many athletes undoubtedly had key objectives for last season such as qualifying for an age group championship. This was indeed the case for me in 2020 when I had intended to compete at the European age group championships in Sweden however, in the months leading up to that, it soon become apparent that it was not going to happen. But if the top Olympic athletes had to reschedule - and they have much more at stake than all of us - then it should not be a significant issue for us to plan again for a successful season in 2021 or 2022. I was recommending to athletes I work with to use this extra downtime to fine-tune their performance, recover from niggles or injuries they might have been ignoring, and plan training to achieve their goals again next season.

 

So, I set a few key goals of addressing some old injuries that had been lingering for some time by aiming to get stronger physically, and to take a thorough break from the rigours of regular competition. The objective for me was ultimately to get to the next full race season both injury free and with a renewed thirst for racing again. A key training goal that I prioritised was to simply maintain regular runs and cycles that I could do while keeping within the restrictions at that time, and to complement this with indoor rowing as a substitute for swimming. Added to that was a focus on mobility work and strengthening sessions several times per week. Much of the latter was based on simple body weight exercises, and/or kettlebells and bands. I think many athletes were quick to realise that there was an awful lot you could do from the comfort of your own home and with remarkably little equipment.

 

That said, all throughout this current pandemic I believed that the key to emerging from it fit and healthy was invariably not going to be training related. It wasn’t going to be how many hours were spent cycling and running, rather it was going to be strongly influenced by mindset as well as nutrition. Having a consistent routine, engaging in activities that promote good health, and acknowledging that this was all only temporary helped from a mindset point of view. The good nutrition essentially came down to sticking to sound eating habits – regular meals, a variety of vegetables, fruit and lean proteins, choosing healthy wholegrain carbohydrates along with nutritious, healthy fats.

 

My go-to source for healthy fats has always been Udo’s Choice® Ultimate Oil Blend, which combines only the very best natural ingredients. Certified organic, Ultimate Oil Blend is a seed oil formulated to contains the ideal 2:1 ratio of Omega 3 and 6. It’s also the richest vegan source of omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids available in Ireland. These essential fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, contribute to the maintenance of normal vision and normal brain function, and the normal function of the heart. They help me feel my best, which is ideal for a consistent training schedule.

 

Trevor Woods holds multiple national titles along with World and European age-group medals in triathlon. He is also the current Masters M50 Cyclocross National Champion.