Athlete:
Matthew Hauser
MATTHEW HAUSER
Triathlete
What does your standard training week involve?
My training week consists of 5 swims all ranging from 4-5km, including heart rate session, ocean swims and technique specific. Around 3 rides with the 4th being a brick session on a Saturday, this is to emulate the conditions and demands of race day. Then 5 runs (including the brick session) up to 50-60km a week, focusing on cadence work on the treadmill, easy runs, a long run and specific track sessions.
Where is your favourite place to train?
I love training on the Gold Coast, the relaxed beach vibes make for excellent surf swims to give to variability to my training. Also in Vitoria, Spain there is everything in the one place to cover all disciplines, the rolling valley roads allow for multiple opportunities to test your power output on the bike and the running trails are second to none. Really anywhere with good coffee nearby.
What is your favourite 2XU garment? When do you use it and why?
The custom triathlon race suit, it’s light, breathable and full of speed! Feel fast, race fast.
What is your favourite training accessory?
It’s a toss up between sunglasses and my SRM power meter. It’s awesome to see the progression in training and assessing power profiles is a great way to do so.
What has been the toughest experience in your career and what did you learn from it?
Making a meal of my 2016 Junior World Championship campaign. I learned to respect poor performances even at the highest level and use them as a motivational tailwind toward my next goal. I reflected on the race, sort out to find what I needed to change and executed a gold medal performance in the following year.
What’s the most common training mistake you see on the circuit? Any suggestions on how to avoid it?
I’ve always been a big believer of ‘train smart, race hard’. It’s important to put in the work in training and in your day to day environment but leave that little bit extra for race day. You’ll have that little bit of extra spark when it comes to race day, like a loaded spring ready to launch.
What motivates you to train and race harder?
Seeing improvements in speed/fitness is always encouraging and a major driver but also surrounding myself with likeminded training partners all with a common goal in mind. I look to others for extra inspiration and that also helps me feel accountable for my own success.
Describe your diet/meal plan leading up to a big race:
I try not to change to too much but the obvious option is increasing your carbohydrate load the night before the race, that is with a pizza or pasta option… Not beer! The main thing is keeping myself hydrate during the week, especially if climate is to play a factor.
How do you balance your training and racing life with life outside the sport?
I try to find little getaways outside of the sport in my day-to-day life so I come into each session feeling rejuvenated and ready to rock and roll. Some of those things include relaxing at beach or going for a body surf, listening to my vinyl collection or spending time at cafes with mates.
What type of nutritional supplement do you find most helpful (either for training or competition)?
Probably the biggest saviour for most triathletes is an energy gel. I use one or two in competitions and regularly in hard training sessions, it’s good to get used to using them in training and allows you a tactical second wind!
Best and worst thing about being a professional athlete:
Best thing would be having the opportunity to see all parts of the world doing what you love, I love immersing myself in the cultures of each place I visit and meeting new people along the way. Worst thing would definitely be packing my bike bag and spending copious amounts of time sitting at airports and in transit.
In five years time, I'll be:
Continually learning and growing in the sport of Triathlon, creating friendships and seeing the world. I’d love to be a Commonwealth and Olympic games representative for Australia, also inspire and share my journey and story with everyone.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2017 ITU WTS Hamburg World Relay - 1st
- 2017 Super League Triathlon - 13th
- 2017 ITU World Cup Chengdu - 1st
- 2017 Perth Junior Oceania Championships - 1st