"Nutrition around work"

‘I don’t have time’ - The phrase I always hear when it comes to fuelling yourself with a balanced diet.

So there are 24hrs in the day. what’s your break down? Have a think about the time that is used, shall we say, ‘inefficiently’. Whether this is an evening or the morning, to find an extra 15-20mins to think about what is upcoming. 

If it’s the first thing in the morning that a tick in the box for the first task of the day. Start as you wish to continue. 

If it’s the final thing a night, you might find this is a good way of shutting down ready for bed. 

The overwhelming message here, it doesn’t matter when you prepare food but i can be used as a key structure point around your day. If you have these point dotted throughout the day, it’s may be you are likely to complete more throughout the 24 hours. 

What do you want to eat? Well thats completely down to you. There are plenty of Nutritionists out there to help guid you through the vortex. But, What to I do? Is it affecting my performance as an athlete? Is what I’m eating financially sustainable? Do I enjoy what I’m eating? Is the advice around nutrition evidence based? 

Just a few things to think about- Not all of us want to sit on a protein shake diet, or go on a juice cleanse. There are plenty of other ways to fuel yourself with the correct and enjoyable Nutrition.

Next time you’re in JRB, Have a chat and ask how your barber fuels there day??

"Opportunity - How Many?"

Why be an athlete? Why be a coach? The answer for me is simple. Opportunity. 

Lets start out with being an athlete- Last year I represent GBR in the age group word championships. This happened to be taking place across the other side of the world, Gold Coat, Australia! Travelling as one cohesive age group team enabled an experience like nothing else. 

The fact we were competing against each other did not matter until we were on the start line. The opportunity to spend the time abroad, with a group you would possibly never meet back in the UK, is something different. 

This brings me onto Coaching- a job! Well if it is a job it’s the best job going, Ok, maybe on par with Barbering, happy Dan? I am in the fortunate position of being able to support some of the best up and coming Triathletes on trips abroad. Time Splits in Estonia, providing warm kit in Rotterdam, and, my personal favourite, running down the main strip in Chicago with a brown paper bag full of bananas!

Again these are just a handful but all stem from the sport of Triathlon!

Watch this space for Barber Dan and I pushing limits??!

Tom

"Injury - Why?"

Every athlete gets struck with with injury concerns- no matter how much support you have around. It’s just the nature of the beast. Mine has been a long road back to just being able to string together a series of runs. This has both tested me physically and mentally. The metal battles of wanting to add in an extra run session because you feel fresh- but knowing your body needs the additional recovery time. All with the main goal of making the start line in Lausanne! 

Always look at the positives- The additional time away from training allowed me to concentrate on writing my dissertation. Rounding off a phenomenal 3 years at university. I can now add the letters BSc after my name. Possibly, and more importantly I now have a greater appreciation for the sport I compete in!

Away from the injury paradox. I have built up a library of athletes wanting to achieve the next level in their own endurance sport. This started out as a side projected which has snowballed into a well oiled coaching group. What use is knowledge if you can’t impart the odd gem? Making the 5-10% difference each week to an individuals training- It all adds up!

As for Jack Rabbits- What more can I say? The quality of Barber here- they really do provide a one off service. Led by a leadership team with a true vision for the experience as you step into the world of JRB! 

Tom

Tom will keep us updated with further blog posts which we hope you will find interesting hearing the nitty and gritty of including nutrition and the opportunity as to why someone chooses to be an athlete. Look out for some new snaps of his recent endeavours!