Overall Performance:
Suzy Hanley's performance in the 2024 Dublin event was commendable, securing a place in the top 17% of all athletes and the top 19% in her age group. However, an analysis of her race performance reveals a pattern of slowing down in running segments as the race progresses, suggesting she started too fast and perhaps struggled with pacing. Suzy's total running time, 00:49:22, was 01:42 slower than the average, indicating that her strength lies more in strength-based exercises rather than running. This is further corroborated by her exceptional performance in strength-focused exercises like Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpees Broad Jump, and Farmers Carry. Her performances in these exercises ranked in the top 25 percentile, with a particularly standout performance in the Farmers Carry, ranking at the 3rd percentile.
Segments to Improve:
Running: As running forms a major part of the Hyrox race, improving in this area can significantly enhance Suzy's overall performance. Her slower total running time and progressively slowing splits from Running 2 onwards suggest a need for focus on endurance and pacing strategy. Drills like interval training, long slow distance runs, and Fartlek runs can help improve endurance. Incorporating speed work, such as hill sprints or treadmill incline runs, can also enhance her running speed.
Wall Balls: The Wall Balls exercise was one of Suzy's slowest segments, with a time of 00:06:32, which was 01:31 slower than the average. This indicates a need to improve her muscular endurance and strength. Incorporating exercises like thrusters, kettlebell swings, and medicine ball slams can help improve her performance in this segment. Additionally, practicing the wall balls technique itself will be beneficial.
Roxzone: Suzy's Roxzone time was 01:10 slower than average, indicating she took more rest or had slower transitions. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts can help improve her overall fitness, while practicing smooth, swift transitions during training can help reduce her Roxzone time.
Race Strategies:
Effective pacing is crucial for Suzy to improve her overall performance. Starting too fast can lead to premature fatigue, impacting her performance in the latter stages of the race. Thus, she should aim to maintain a steady pace throughout the race, particularly during the running segments. Additionally, she should focus on efficient transitions between exercises to minimize her Roxzone time. Practicing the sequence of exercises in training can help her become more comfortable and efficient during transitions, ultimately reducing her overall time.