Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
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Top sports facilities used by World Ironman triathlete
Dr Tom Van Rossum, who has recently joined the Carnegie School of Education, took on the finest triathletes this weekend in the prestigious competition in Hawaii. and has spent the last few weeks preparing for the intense conditions he faced during the gruelling race which involved a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon. Not only did he have to prepare for the formidable race, but also the weather conditions he faced.
Dr Andy King, Senior Lecturer in Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism at Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Sport, explains how he has been able to help Tom: “This race is known for its brutally hot and humid conditions. We usually expect athletes to race in 30-35 degree centigrade heat and anywhere up to 80% humidity. It just adds a whole new level of difficulty into the performance so Tom has been using our environmental chamber, in the Carnegie Research Institute, where we can replicate the majority of conditions on earth – anything from -20 to 40 degree centigrade, 0 to 80% humidity and higher than anywhere on earth in terms of altitude.
“If you don’t prepare for working in the heat, your body’s just not going to cope with the conditions. We’d sweat too much, then overheat too quickly so very quickly start to struggle.”
Tom took part in the race on Saturday (13 October) in Kona, Hawaii. He said he couldn't believe it: “Competing in Kona has been my goal in triathlon since I started about ten years ago. It’s the absolute pinnacle of the sport for Ironman competitions and this year’s is extra special because it’s the 40th anniversary of the race and is being held in Hawaii where Ironman began.
“It’s the proudest moment I’ve achieved so far in competition.”
Tom finished the race in 9 hours 24 minutes, placing 319th out of the 2306 competitors.