How to Practise a Brick Session for Storm The Castle Duathlon
If you're preparing for Storm The Castle Duathlon in Ludlow on 18th May, one of the best training sessions you can do is a brick session.
A duathlon is all about mastering the transition from bike to run, and brick workouts help your legs adapt to this change so you don’t feel like you’re running through treacle after cycling!
What is a Brick Session?
A brick session is a training workout where you combine two disciplines back-to-back—typically a bike ride followed immediately by a run. The aim is to train your body (and mind) to handle the shift between cycling and running, which is a key challenge in duathlon racing.
How to Practise Brick Sessions for Storm The Castle
1. Start Simple
If you're new to bricks, begin with a short session:
- Bike: 30-40 minutes at a steady effort
- Run: 10-15 minutes at an easy pace
- Do this once a week to build confidence before increasing intensity and duration.
2. Simulate Race Conditions
Storm The Castle isn’t just any duathlon—it’s one of the UK’s toughest, with hilly terrain and steep climbs. Prepare by:
- Riding hilly routes to mimic Ludlow’s challenging course
- Practising running off the bike on similar terrain
- Including a tough climb in your run to replicate the brutal finish at Ludlow Castle
3. Speed Up Transitions
Efficient transitions can make or break your race. Set up your kit as you would on race day and practice:
- Quick shoe changes (elastic laces help!)
- Mounting/dismounting your bike smoothly
- Running through the transition zone without hesitation
Bonus Tip: Train with Race Nutrition
Practice hydration and fuelling during your bricks to ensure your energy levels stay high—especially important for a tough event like Storm The Castle. Our official nutrition supplier Torq can help you with this.
Final Thoughts
Brick sessions are the secret weapon to feeling strong and confident on race day. Encorporate them into your training now, and by 18th May, you'll be ready to storm the castle and conquer one of the UK’s toughest duathlons!
Are you training for Storm The Castle? Let us know how your prep is going! #StormTheCastle #DuathlonTraining #BrickSessions
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