Overall Performance
Rene Gerstner performed well in the 2019 Oberhausen Hyrox race, finishing with an overall rank of 45 out of 222 athletes, putting him in the top 20% of competitors. In his age group (35-39), he achieved a rank of 8 out of 45 athletes, placing him in the top 17%. His overall time of 01:23:09 was respectable.
In terms of his splits, it is worth noting that Rene performed above average in the Running 1 and Ski Erg segments, with times of 00:04:15 and 00:04:18, respectively. These splits indicate that he has good running and upper body strength. However, he struggled in several running segments, such as Running 2, Running 3, Running 4, Running 5, Running 6, Running 7, and Running 8, where he was consistently slower than average.
Segments to Improve
1. Running 2, Running 3, Running 4, Running 5, Running 6, Running 7, Running 8: Rene consistently lost time in these running segments compared to the average. To improve his running performance, he should focus on endurance and speed training. Incorporating interval training, hill sprints, and tempo runs into his training routine will help him build endurance and improve his running speed. Additionally, working on proper running form and technique, such as stride length and cadence, can also enhance his running performance.
2. Burpees Broad Jump: Rene was slower than the average time in this segment. To improve his performance in burpees, he should focus on conditioning his upper body and core strength. Incorporating exercises such as push-ups, planks, and burpees into his training routine will help improve his muscular endurance and power, leading to faster and more efficient burpee broad jumps.
3. Sandbag Lunges: Rene lost time in this segment compared to the average. To improve his performance in sandbag lunges, he should focus on strengthening his lower body, particularly his quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Incorporating exercises such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts into his training routine will help build strength and stability in his lower body, enabling him to perform sandbag lunges more efficiently.
4. Rowing: Rene was slower than the average time in this segment. To improve his rowing performance, he should focus on building upper body and cardiovascular endurance. Incorporating exercises such as rowing machine workouts, pull-ups, and push-ups into his training routine will help improve his rowing technique and overall performance.
Strategies
- Pacing: Rene should focus on maintaining a consistent and sustainable pace throughout the race. It is important not to start too fast and burn out early. By pacing himself appropriately, he can ensure that he has enough energy and stamina to perform well in all segments.
- Transition Time: To improve his overall race time, Rene should work on minimizing the time spent in the roxzone. This can be achieved by improving his overall fitness and specifically targeting his transition time during training sessions. Incorporating quick and efficient transitions between exercises into his training routine will help him shave off precious seconds during the race.
- Strength Training: Since Rene has a better running profile, he should continue to focus on maintaining his running performance. However, he should also incorporate strength training exercises to build overall strength and prevent muscle imbalances. This will help him maintain good form and technique throughout the race, especially in segments that require strength, such as burpees and sandbag lunges.
- Endurance Training: To improve his running performance, Rene should focus on endurance training. Incorporating long runs, interval training, and hill sprints into his training routine will help him build endurance and improve his overall running performance.
- Mental Preparation: Lastly, Rene should work on his mental preparation for the race. Visualizing success, setting achievable goals, and staying focused during the race will help him perform at his best and overcome any challenges that may arise.
Overall, with targeted training strategies to improve his running performance and minimize transition time, Rene Gerstner has the potential to achieve even better results in future Hyrox races.