Overall Performance:
Ashley Gillenwater's performance at the 2024 Chicago Navy Pier HYROX event was strong, ranking in the top 29% of all athletes and the top 22% in his age group. His overall time was 01:28:34, which is a good time considering the intense competition.
Notably, Ashley's total running time was 00:41:48, making him 02:21 faster than the average competitor. This highlights that his running ability is a significant strength, and he should continue to leverage this in future races.
Although Ashley started the race strong, his performance in the first four running segments suggests that he may have started a bit too quickly. His times for Running 1 and Running 2 were considerably faster than the average competitor, indicating a fast start that may have impacted his stamina and performance in later segments.
His performance in the roxzone was also commendable, with a time that was 00:28 faster than average. This suggests that his transition times and overall fitness are strong, although there is still room for improvement.
Segments to Improve:
- Burpees Broad Jump: Ashley's performance in this segment was considerably slower than the average competitor, suggesting a need for improvement. He should incorporate more plyometric exercises into his training regimen, such as box jumps and jump squats, to increase his explosive power and improve his broad jump distance. Additionally, he could benefit from practicing burpees separately to improve his form and speed.
- Sandbag Lunges: This was another segment where Ashley struggled. Incorporating more lunges and squats into his strength training, particularly with added weight, could help. Practicing lunges with a sandbag on his shoulders could also be beneficial to mimic the conditions of the race.
- Farmers Carry: Ashley was slower than the average competitor in this segment. To improve, he should incorporate farmers walks into his strength training routine, gradually increasing the weight as his strength improves. This will also help improve his grip strength, which is crucial for this segment.
- Sled Push: Ashley's performance in this segment was slightly slower than average. Incorporating more lower body strength exercises, particularly those that target the glutes and hamstrings, could help improve his sled push performance.
Race Strategies:
Based on his performance in this race, it seems that Ashley may benefit from starting at a slightly slower pace, conserving his energy for the later segments where he tends to struggle. He should aim to maintain a steady pace throughout the race, rather than starting fast and slowing down.
Given that his running performance is a strength, Ashley should focus on improving his performance in the strength-based segments, particularly the Burpees Broad Jump, Sandbag Lunges, Farmers Carry, and Sled Push. By incorporating specific exercises into his training, he can build the strength and endurance necessary to perform better in these segments.
Finally, Ashley should continue to work on improving his transition times and overall fitness, as these are critical for success in HYROX races. This could include incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into his routine, as well as practicing transitions between different exercises.