Overall Performance
Elizabeth Doherty, competing in the 40-44 age group, performed admirably in the 2024 Dublin HYROX race. With her overall rank at 829 and age group rank at 157, she placed within the top 30% of 2696 athletes and top 32% of 480 athletes in her age group, respectively. Her overall time was 01:55:43 and she demonstrated a strong running profile with a total running time of 00:57:27, which was 00:37 faster than the average. Interestingly, her fastest running lap was 00:05:26.
Elizabeth started the race exceptionally well, running at a pace significantly faster than the average. However, as the race progressed, her pace slowed down, particularly in the later running segments. This indicates the need for a more balanced and sustainable pacing strategy. Despite the slowdown in running segments, she excelled in the transition time, or Roxzone, with a time 02:54 faster than the average, suggesting a high level of overall fitness and efficient transitions.
Segments to Improve
- Burpees Broad Jump: Elizabeth's performance in this segment was 01:53 slower than the average, indicating a need for improvement. Incorporating plyometric exercises such as box jumps, jump squats, and single-leg jumps into her training regimen could enhance her power and speed. Additionally, practicing the burpee form and integrating broad jumps into her conditioning workouts could improve her time in this segment.
- Wall Balls: This segment was another area where Elizabeth was slower than average, with a time 01:30 slower. Strengthening her lower body and core muscles through exercises like squats, lunges, and planks, as well as focusing on the correct wall ball technique, could help improve her performance here.
- Sled Pull: Elizabeth was 01:21 slower than the average in this segment. Incorporating more resistance training, particularly targeting her back, glutes, and hamstrings, could help increase her pulling power. Exercises like deadlifts, seated rows, and kettlebell swings would be beneficial.
Race Strategies
Elizabeth should consider implementing a more conservative pacing strategy to ensure she maintains her energy levels throughout the race. By starting out too fast, she may have expended too much energy early on, affecting her performance in later segments. She should aim for a steady, sustainable pace throughout the race, and only increase her speed during the final stages if she has the energy reserves.
Additionally, while Elizabeth's transition times are excellent, she should continue to focus on improving these to further reduce her overall time. This can be achieved by practicing transitions during training sessions and focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm and pace.
Lastly, incorporating more strength training exercises into her routine, particularly those targeting the muscles used in the Burpees Broad Jump, Wall Balls, and Sled Pull segments, could help her improve her performance in these areas and consequently, her overall race time.