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Pietra Meneghini Prepares for Ironman 70.3 Curitiba
Professional triathlete discusses training adjustments, course strategy, and season plans targeting Nice.
Ironman 70.3 Aracaju runner-up Pietra Meneghini analyzes her training cycle ahead of racing at home in Curitiba. She breaks down the technical course challenges and her roadmap toward a full Ironman.
Racing on home turf, professional triathlete Pietra Meneghini, runner-up at Ironman 70.3 Aracaju, heads into the Nubank Ultravioleta Ironman 70.3 Curitiba with high expectations following an intense, unbroken training block. Her preparation kicked off as soon as the pro category was confirmed for the race in Paraná, requiring sharp focus through the end-of-year holidays under coach Cris's guidance.
For the athlete, competing in her own backyard sets a higher bar. The main goal for this cycle was raising her physical and technical baseline compared to last season, fine-tuning the workload balance across all three disciplines.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
Balancing Cycling, Running, and Swimming
In her previous training block, Meneghini reduced cycling volume to prioritize gains on the run. For the Curitiba 70.3, her strategy shifted to rebuilding mileage on the bike without sacrificing run fitness, aiming to restore her power output on the pedals.
In the pool, she increased swim volume and saw encouraging training metrics, mindful that transferring that pace to open water requires patience and ongoing race adaptation.
A Leaner Race Schedule and Full Ironman Focus
Managing physical and mental fatigue was one of her key takeaways from last year. During the second half of the season, racing four events created significant strain alongside daily training and personal commitments in Curitiba. As a result, her seasonal calendar was redesigned with fewer start lines.
Her primary focus for the year centers on stepping up to the full Ironman distance, alongside dedicated preparation for the World Championship in Nice. Additional mid-season starts, such as 70.3 Rio de Janeiro, will depend directly on her recovery timeline following the full-distance race.
Tackling the Curitiba Bike Course
Curitiba's bike segment features rolling elevation changes and technical sections. As a lighter athlete, Meneghini believes the rolling hills play to her strengths compared to flat profiles where absolute power often overshadows power-to-weight ratio.
The course opens with rolling climbs and descents, navigates technical downhills through Colônia Cristina, and transitions into faster flat sections along João Grösel. Used to training on the undulating terrain of Paraná's capital, the triathlete is counting on smart momentum management and sustained climbing power as key factors for Sunday's race.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
