Training in climate tent for Ironman in Hawaii

Training in a climate tent for Ironman in Hawaii

August 27 2022, by Ronald, 5 min reading time

In Tallinn, Estonia, they recently managed to qualify for the full distance triathlon for the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Bas Groothedde and Ludolf Reijntjes from Zierikzee have now started preparing for the Ironman, the ultimate race in their sport.

ZIERIKZEE - In Tallinn, Estonia, they recently managed to qualify for the full distance triathlon for the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. TriathlonWorld TEAMERS Bas Groothedde and Ludolf Reijntjes from Zierikzee have now started preparing for the Ironman, the ultimate race in their sport. Nothing is left to chance in the run-up to the event. They want to peak again at the beginning of October. "If we run our best race, we will be at the front."

The first thing you notice at the meeting: how trained the men are. Reijntjes (57) and Groothedde (50) look sleek in their white shirts. Another detail that catches the eye: the logo on the chest, in which the archipelago of Hawaii with the largest island of Kona can be recognized. They already wore those shirts in Estonia, even before the qualification for the high mass of the triathlon was a fact.

Laughing: "It was a bit of speculation." In Tallinn they experienced one of those days in which everything fell into place. Even in tough conditions. Rain, hail and wind when cycling. Just too hot for the marathon. Nevertheless, Reijntjes took first place in his age group M55-59, with a final time of 10 hours and 12 minutes. In the M50-54, Groothedde finished fourth in 9 hours and 54 minutes, more than enough for qualification. Results that both Zeelanders are very proud of. “We smashed our personal records.”

Extreme character
But those achievements in Tallin were anything but out of the blue. “It has been quite a journey,” says Reijntjes. He is originally a runner. Cycling was also possible. But swimming, no, it wasn't that. "I thought I would never learn it." Yet he switched to triathlon more than five years ago, inspired by Groothedde and others at the Deltasport athletics club. Reijntjes still surprises himself. "For a long time I never dared to dream that I had all this within me."

For Groothedde it all started with a successful touring version of the Tour of Flanders. People around him made jokes about the Ironman. ,,I had never heard of it. After an evening on the internet I knew what it was and I was immediately fascinated. Especially that extreme character appealed to me.'' Not much later he was at the start in Veenendaal for his first triathlon. Groothedde had left. "I like to set goals, in and outside the sport, and work towards them very precisely."

Groothedde immersed himself in training theory, picked up knowledge here and there and translated it into his own schedules. Reijntjes was also included in the story. Then laughing again: "Ludolf was my guinea pig and I am participating out of solidarity." Of course, Reijntjes, who was then a manager at a logistics company in the port of Vlissingen, sometimes asked critical questions. But the results spoke volumes. "In the beginning you make incredible progress in the triathlon."

Climate tent
Both men have now completely tailored their lives to their demanding hobby. “Fourteen to fifteen training sessions a week is standard. It is a sport that has a very big impact on your work and your family.'' Groothedde has sold his data analysis company, studied kinesiology and sees a future for himself in triathlon, with a goal coming later this year a publication about training theory. "I'm always trying to figure out why we do the things we do and whether they work."

Reijntjes left his company in good consultation and continues as a consultant in his field, with more freedom to exercise. "And next month I will start as a swimming instructor in Zierikzee, for 20 hours a week." These are all conscious choices, Reijntjes explains. “I want to make the most of it now.”

Both Zeelanders have carefully built up their season, with a training camp on Lanzarote in the spring. It all had to happen in Tallinn. “Participating was no longer enough. We wanted to participate at the front.'' The triathletes from Zierikzee are now working towards their Ironman with the same ambition. Both Groothedde and Reijntjes have built their own climate tent in the shed, to perfectly imitate the weather conditions in Hawaii. “Agricultural plastic, a kettle and a meter. The humidity in the tent is always between 86 and 90 percent, just like on Kona. Add a bike or treadmill and off you go, sweat it out."

Family vacation

Reijntjes also has an endless pool, a swimming machine with adjustable current and a mirror to perform the swimming strokes as efficiently as possible. "This way you can swim when it suits you, without having to go to the pool." The partners and children of both Reijntjes and Groothedde are going to Hawaii. "We will immediately turn it into a fun family holiday." Groothedde has to start on October 6, two days later it will be the turn of Reijntjes' age category. “We can encourage each other.”

Together they made the entire journey to Kona, almost six years. “We make each other stronger and keep each other sharp. Sometimes you also need that motivation from the other person. If you train on the dike in January at three degrees below zero, that extra incentive is nice."

SOURCE: PZC.nl