Eric and Ernie, Ant and Dec, Ali<\/a><\/strong> and Jonny<\/a><\/strong>. As double acts go, for more than a decade mention \u2018triathlon\u2019 to the British public at large and the likely response is: \u2018Brownlee Brothers.\u2019<\/p>\n For the early part of their careers, the duo was inseparable on starting pontoons and not much further apart at the finish. Since Rio 2016<\/a><\/strong>, their paths have started to diverge, but until this year were always linked by Olympic ambition.<\/p>\n Yet after being thwarted from defending his title in Tokyo 2020<\/a><\/strong>, Alistair finally made a clean break to long course. For Jonny, it\u2019s the Commonwealths in Birmingham this summer<\/a><\/strong> and then head over to Paris 2024. We caught up with them both to find out how they\u2019re embracing their respective challenges\u2026<\/p>\n JB:<\/strong> I remember being a young athlete growing up and [former GB pro and London 2012 Olympian] Stu Hayes telling me that when I reached his age, recovery<\/a><\/strong> would be harder. I was 20 years old and was like: \u2018What are you on about?\u2019<\/p>\n I used to be able to do a hard track session on a Tuesday night and be up like a spring chicken for a run on Wednesday morning. Now it takes a little bit longer to get going. The hard aspect is keeping the intensity in training over the period I need it.<\/p>\n The calendar is also more difficult. We used to start racing in Madrid in May and finish the World Series by September. The current series lasts over a year. I think I\u2019m going to pick and choose my races over the next three years.<\/p>\n JB<\/strong>: I genuinely believe that even with [the introduction of] carbon shoes<\/a><\/strong>, Alistair\u2019s run in London [2012] was the fastest there\u2019s ever been in triathlon.<\/p>\n I can go to the track and easily run fast enough. It\u2019s about the speed off the bike and being on the start-line healthy, confident and backing myself<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n AB<\/strong>: In lots of ways my favourite type of racing was the really competitive, short stuff. But do I miss it? No.<\/p>\n I feel like I had a great career and long distance has always been a big goal \u2013 a different type of racing, training in different places, with different people, in a different way.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> JB<\/strong>: All swimming, all easy biking, all easy running and then hard bike and run sessions will vary slightly. That said, Alistair still wants to go on the local chain gang!<\/p>\n AB<\/strong>: Ultimately, you need someone to help motivate you to get out of bed, or push you a little when you\u2019re not really feeling it. Or even someone just to be there to do stuff with. I definitely still enjoy training with Jonny.<\/p>\n Jonny Brownlee: How recovery is the key to Paris 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMy nutrition has changed massively in the last couple of years and working with Nigel [Mitchell] has really helped. Through nutritional changes, I\u2019m in better shape now than I was at this point last year, and it\u2019s a reason why I want to continue to Paris.<\/p>\n \u201cAs someone who struggles from sugar highs and lows, I try and avoid sugary food in favour of something with high protein that stops me from reaching for the sweets and chocolates when I come back from a training session, and allows me that time window to cook a good meal.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was younger, I could pretty much eat what I want, train how I wanted, and get better. I eat a lot healthier now and I hope these changes mean I can be on the start-line and genuinely competing for an Olympic medal. If I can\u2019t, I don\u2019t want to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> AB<\/strong>: One of the things I\u2019ve invested in is Incus<\/a><\/strong>, a small device at relatively low cost that can deliver lots of metrics. We\u2019re all tri fans here, but it needs to be more immersive and interesting to bring others along.<\/p>\n JB: <\/strong>Developments that help me go faster fascinate me \u2013 carbon shoes, narrower handlebars, the pedals we tried heading into Tokyo for the mixed relay. I\u2019ve always believed I\u2019ve stood on the start-line as one of the best-prepared athletes and I want that to continue.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> AB<\/strong>: I\u2019ve never watched so much Ironman before [Alistair pulled out sick on the eve of the event]. It\u2019s brilliant Ironman are broadcasting more races, but I feel \u2013 even as a massive fan \u2013 that it\u2019s slightly frustrating to watch. You just don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on. The tech exists easily and relatively cheaply to have people wearing onboard sensors where you can have GPS positioning as well as heart-rate and power.<\/p>\n JB<\/strong>: It was the first time the world champs had been on in a convenient time zone for a British audience. But it was like watching a cycle race and just focusing on the breakaway and not knowing how far the riders are behind. You shouldn\u2019t have to download an app. It sets the commentators up to fail because they don\u2019t have any information.<\/p>\n AB:<\/strong> I\u2019m not opposed to doing it at the right time and in the right way, but for the moment I want to focus on racing.<\/p>\n JB:<\/strong> Same. I wouldn\u2019t mind being the expert insight person, but the proper commentary is really hard, I don\u2019t envy those guys. I think my Yorkshire accent might be a bit too strong to commentate \u2013 and they might need subtitles.<\/p>\n Age<\/strong>: 34<\/p>\n Age:<\/strong> 32<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> JB:<\/strong> I\u2019d trained unbelievably well for Challenge Gran Canaria [23 April], but I didn\u2019t drink half of what I should have on the bike and capitulated. I realised how important nutrition is to be able to show my ability because I got nowhere close [he finished 9th].<\/p>\n It was interesting watching the Ironman worlds and Kristian. He ran the whole marathon with a bottle, sipping away, getting it right, and fair play, because I know how wrong it can go. To continue running well at the end of an Ironman was impressive.<\/p>\n220<\/em>: Jonny \u2013 at 32, what\u2019s the biggest challenge to staying competitive at short-course racing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/06\/jonny-brownlee-as-a-young-athlete-0e76761.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Is it also about retaining enough speed on the run?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Hearing this Alistair, do you miss short-course racing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/06\/Ali-and-Jonny-successful-short-course-careers-f44bc39.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How much training do you still do together and is it beneficial? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
What recent technological advancements in the sport have caught your eye?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/06\/Ali-and-Jonny-Brownlee-interview-2022-ec39fd0.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>What did you make of Ironman\u2019s coverage of the World Championship in St George? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
So, would you both fancy a go in the commentary booth?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/06\/ali-and-jonny-brownlee-on-whats-next-for-them-a5f7d8f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The Stats: Ali vs Jonny<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Alistair Brownlee <\/strong><\/h6>\n
Jonny Brownlee <\/strong><\/h6>\n
Are your views on race nutrition changing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/06\/brownlee-brothers-on-race-nutrition-303a80f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>