Search
shop

Lionel Sanders reveals Arena Games strategy – ‘I want to vomit’

"This is like a super VO2 max session," says 'No Limits' as he looks to start rediscovering his top end speed at the Arena Games
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Few triathletes have gone into more detail analysing their training and races than long course star Lionel Sanders.

And ‘No Limits’ has set himself a brand new challenge with Monday’s announcement that he’ll make his debut in the sport’s shortest format – Super League Triathlon’s Arena Games.

That appearance is less than three weeks away and on home territory for the popular Canadian – in Montreal on Saturday February 25.

Advertisement

Need for speed

And he’s revealed that part of the reason for taking part is to reinvigorate his speed work after a frustrating second half of the 2022 campaign.

Lionel Sanders and Rudy Von Berg sprint at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022 Photo Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022: Lionel Sanders (right) and Rudy Von Berg sprint [Photo Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN]

He told Super League: “I am doing this race because mainly this is a season for me to increase my high end and get faster, the fastest I have ever been.

“I spent 15 months getting the slowest I have ever been by doing nothing but IRONMAN training so I want to reverse that so hopefully I can return in a year or two and do the IRONMAN well again.”

‘No Limits’ under no illusions

Of course other long course athletes have tried their hand at Arena Games and Super League, most recently Cam Wurf in Malibu last year when he admitted: “I got my teeth kicked in.”

Sanders is fully aware of the task facing him – and accepts it’s the swim where he’s likely to be most up against it, pointing out: “The proportions of the three disciplines makes it difficult because the swim probably makes up 30 per cent of the race whereas in IRONMAN I think it only makes up something like 13 per cent.

“It’s quite difficult but it will be a great challenge for me to see if I come back from the swim deficit. I am seasoned on the indoor front so I am confident I can do well in the bike and run. It will be whether I have the capacity to overcome a swim deficit.”

And it sounds like his all-in ‘No Limits’ mantra will be very much in evidence, adding: “My tactics are going to be pretty simple. This is like a super VO2 max session.

Lionel Sanders Arena Games 2023 graphic photo credit SLT
Lionel Sanders will make his Arena Games debut in Montreal [Picture credit: SLT]

“Gun goes, don’t flop the dive, don’t screw up the turns as there are only three of them in a 50m pool, PB in the swim which I would estimate to be better than 2.28 so maybe 2.25.

“Don’t screw up the transition, get your foot into the shoes quickly, then absolutely bury yourself on the bike. I want to vomit. Show me vomit please.

“The run will be puke. Everything has to go in the way of getting off and vomit. If you do that then you’ve done it correctly.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI-FIT VORTEX men's tri suit
Beyond marginal gains: A deep dive into the making of TRI-FIT’s most ambitious and advanced tri suit to date
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Alistair Brownlee bike penalty T100 Ibiza 2024 Photo credit PTO
PremiumWhat’s the most aero way to carry water on your triathlon bike?
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
Olympic champ says “story isn’t over” after surgery to remove Haglund’s deformity
Hayden Wilde New Plymouth 2023 photo credit Cameron Mackenzie / World Triathlon
Olympic and then world title on home soil for Hayden Wilde in 2028? It’s come a step closer…
Matt Hanson IRONMAN Cairns run 2025
American star on the costly lessons learned from THREE Ironmans in FIVE weeks
Sam Laidlow bike IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Laidlow and Skipper hail anti-drafting progress – but highlight bigger issues
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...