Graham WadsworthXterra and Long Distance Triathlete
Beginning
I started doing triathlons in 2002 whilst at university in Nottingham. Things quickly
progressed when I qualified for my first Xterra World Championships in Maui later
that year. I spent the next few years competing at various distances in both road
and off-road triathlons whilst at University until finally trying my hand at racing
the Ironman distance. In 2007, I came 2nd in my age group at Ironman NZ and qualified
to compete in the 25-29 age group at the Ironman World Championships held in Kona,
Hawaii. In the same year, I also qualified to race at the Xterra World Championships
held in Maui, Hawaii where I won the silver medal in my age group. In competing
in both these races, which took place only two weeks apart, I won the amateur ‘double’
an award for the fastest combined time in Ironman and Xterra. Although I did well
at Ironman, my silver medal in Xterra made me realise that I had the potential to
achieve in that side of the sport so I started racing as a pro on the Xterra European
Tour.
I am inspired every day in the gym by my clients at www.mylifept.com. Their athletic
accomplishments amidst full time work and family commitments never cease to amaze
me; from losing 10 stone to finishing their first 5km fun run.
My training program varies greatly throughout the year depending on my current objectives. I’m already preparing for the 2011 season by working on my weakest discipline, which is swimming, so am spending a lot more time in the swimming pool at the moment. You can see a weekly training diary as I move towards the new season at www.mylifept.com.
My favourite sessions in each discipline would have to be the following:
Swimming: 40x50m on increasing rest intervals
Biking: Riding the local off-road tracks in Bristol when the trails are dry and super fast, doing sets of 10sec MAX sprints/10sec easy, as many times as I can fit in!
Running: Hill reps, nothing brings on the strength endurance needed for Xterra races like hitting a hard hill again and again…
Age: 28
Married: Ruth Wadsworth
Live: Bristol
UK - Height: 1.82m
Weight: 72kg
What is your favourite USN Supplement and why?
My favorite USN product is
Epic Pro All-in-One. After years of trying different energy drinks for racing, training and recovery it is great to now have something that covers everything. With Epic Pro in my bottles at the start of the day I know I'm going to have my immediate nutritional requirements covered as it delievers a pefect blend of carbohydrates, protein, electrolytes and amino acids. It also tastes great!
Achievements in sports since taking the product?
Since using USN products in 2011 I have significantly improved my performance in Xterra Triathlons and in particular my endurance towards the end of the race and my run splits. I've taken 2mins of my 10km run PB aswell!
What is your ideal product stack when training? Why and what benefits does this have?
On the long bike rides that make up the most significant part of my training I will ride with
USN Epic Pro All-in-one in my bottles and begin eating USN pure protein bars in the second hour of training. Towards the end of the ride or if I have a tough run off the bike coming up I will switch to USN
Vooma Gels for a faster delivery of Carbs and an awesome caffeine kick!
In 2011 I am adopting a far more aggressive approach to my recovery from racing and training. Over the winter this means making sure the timing and content of my post training nutrition is spot on. I currently use 4 main USN products to meet these needs:
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BCAA 240’s: I take these everyday, about 30mins before a training session.
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Epic Pro All in One: This is in my bottles on all my bike rides and has a good amount of protein - also a great recovery and pre-training drink to sip throughout the day.
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100% Whey Protein: Mixes superbly with just water in a USN shaker for a great tasting recovery drink. My favourite is to mix up the chocolate flavour with ice, soya milk and a banana in a blender for a whole meal in one!
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Pure Protein bars: My on the bike solid food of choice for the winter endurance rides. A great hit of muscle repairing protein and enough carbohydrates to keep me going for hours. The Chocolate Ice cream flavour makes a great recovery snack or meal replacement too.
2007 Hawaii Ironman / Xterra Amateur Double World Champion
2009 18th overall Xterra World Championships
2010 10th overall Xterra European Pro Tour
Bronze medal at the British National Cross Triathlon Championships
1st Men’s Fitness Tough Tracks Triathlon
In 2011, I am aiming for podium finishes at the European Xterra Tour races and top 10 at the Xterra World Championships in Maui.Long term my goal is to become the Xterra World Champion