Analyzing Data To Boost Performance

What analysis have you done of your recent results? How do you start? Are you comparing yourself to specific individuals or looking globally? What do you need to do to move up the rankings? 

For some improving power output or run pace will be their goal while others may simply be taking part for fun and not tracking any metrics. But for the competitors out there finishing positions count and tracking this, along with segment splits, over time and maximising limited training time to improve placings can be very rewarding. It is also very easy to visualise, for better or worse. 

Following the Age Group Sprint Distance National Championships in Athy I completed a personal exercise looking at a group of athletes, 10 of the Top 50 finishers, to see if there were any trends or markers to indicate changes in how races are evolving and whether my own ideas on what should work, in general, to move an athlete up the rankings are still valid. While a sample size of 1 is not conclusive it is a good race to look at with 450 men and 300 women competing. 

While I looked at 10 athletes starting randomly in the top 5 and taking every 5th finisher from there, an individual targeting a certain position might look at that placing and 4 athletes either side to see where they stood. When calculating the time gap from the fastest in each section I dropped the slowest time which helps to take away elements of chance, lost goggles, a trip on the run course or slow bike mount for instance. You might also drop the fastest time to eliminate outliers from a single sport background. 

This is very basic analysis but a starting point that anyone can build from, generating their own database of results showing the trends rather than isolated one off performances that can make us think we are too far behind or ahead, we will never be good bikers, they will always beat me on the run, thoughts and emotions that can influence outcomes. 

‍

(key: 1=4th overall, 2=9th overall....)

What does my chart say to me? Overall probably nothing new as it highlights that finish position is highly correlated to run placings. With the men it is more obvious with the top 5 in my group also being the top 5 runners, while in the womens races it was 4 of top 5. 

The time gap from fastest to 9th (4-44th, in 5 placing increments, in the race) in men's group was 106 seconds in swim, 246 for bike and 201 for run.  For the women's group the swim increases in importance for those looking at potential improvements at 281 seconds, with the bike at 271 and run 325. Transitions at 90 and 55 seconds were significantly higher than mens, 31 and 26. 

In truth there are a large number of variables influencing the results, did athletes put bike shoes on in transition rather than when mounted, road bike versus TT, but these are all in the top 15% of finishers so likely all experienced racers. However in general it might suggest for those looking to move into the top half  just working first on the low hanging fruit with regard to bike, ensuring  it is working properly, tyre pressures are right for you, position etc, focus on the run for the men and for the women a more balanced swim and run program with lots of transition practice.  

What would you track? Is your training reflected in outcomes on the field, Is your FTP increase showing gains in times and/or positions? 

If you would like in depth analysis of your individual performances, or your opponents, and suggested training and racing strategies going forward please get in touch.

‍