Search
shop

A Polytunnel in a cowshed: Inside Alistair Brownlee’s Sub7 pain cave

The countdown to Sub7Sub8 continues with updates from Brownlee and Spirig
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Alistair Brownlee will take sport science right to the cutting edge as he bids to go Sub7 in 2022, in just about every way.

But while some athletes have futuristic pain caves to get them through brutal winters, the Yorkshireman has something not quite as grand – a Polytunnel in a 400-year-old cow shed.

He will give viewers a proper tour of his indoor setup in an upcoming Sub7Sub8 documentary series charting the countdown to this year’s much-hyped event. This week event organisers provided a sneak peek.

Advertisement

Brownlee pain cave (cow shed)

Brownlee said: “We’re in the depths of winter here in Yorkshire, UK, its pretty cold outside, we’ve had some snow and ice already and it gets dark at about 4pm.

“So if I need to train inside because it’s too cold outside, it’s dark outside, or if I’m just more motivated to come inside to the warmth, do some specific efforts or enjoy jumping on a race on Zwift – that’s why I get in and get on Zwift and get on the bike at the moment.

“Some people have fancy pain caves and that, I have a Polytunnel in a cow shed that is about 400 years old.”

Spirig hits the slopes

While Brownlee is building to Sub7 in a cow shed, Nicola Spirig has been combining her preparation for Sub8 with a family skiing holiday in the Swiss Alps.

She explained: “As you can see, in the background there’s a lot of snow – maybe not the perfect training area for triathlon, but I guess that’s the compromises you make if you have a family and you want the best for them.

“At the moment we are two weeks in a ski resort, skiing with the kids. It’s great, they have a lot of fun, we are skiing all together.

“I have to be a little bit inventive with my training, I have a treadmill here, I have the turbo and the bike here. For swimming I have to go down to the valley, but it’s not such a big problem either. I do serious training and in the recovering time I’m skiing.”

The date and venue for Sub7Sub8 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...