It's not just about the run!

I road with a group out of the major bike store located in Richardson, TX this morning.  The riders consisted of casual bike riders, bike racers, and a few triathletes (you can tell the triathletes by the arrowbars and horns on the bikes). 

During the ride, I started chatting with another rider about a variety of topics, mainly just to pass the time.  The subject turned to triathlon.  He told me one of college friends was a triathlete, who asserted that triathlon was just about the run.  We talked some more on this, and I was disappointed that this sort of misinformation is out there. 

In our sport, we must be good at all three sports (plus transitions!) and then play to our strength.  We have become not just adequate swimmers or coast on the bike; we have to work to get really good at all three sports.  Then I contend you play your strength in a race to finish as fast as you can.

I had a client that was a good swimmer and an even better runner, but he was an awesome cyclists.  Before one half ironman race, we discussed strategy.  As I worked through the numbers, it became obvious--swim well, bike hard, and hang on for the run.  In other words, work his strength, the bike.  It worked.  He went on to qualify for Team USA in that race!

It's not just about the run.  Become good at all three sports, but come race day, play to your strength.

Train safe!

Back to Racing

I had the opportunity to race the Cooper Fall Sprint Triathlon yesterday.  Even with the rib injury, it felt good to get out and race!  Temps were perfect, the wind a bit strong, and the after party breakfast was outstanding!

Can't wait to race again next week!

Train safe!

Forced Recovery

Last post I mentioned the need for recovery.  Over the last couple of weeks, I got to experience forced recovery.  Not due to over training, mind you, let's just say due to agressive training. 

About a week and a half ago, I was out mountain biking with my son.  I've gotten a bit more experience since moving to Dallas, so in the "must show off mode" I started out hard and fast.  Upon reaching my first real rock to overcome (which I went over 5X's the previous weekend), when I hit it, it shot me back and back hard.  All I remember was my face heading toward the rack.  I moved and did what ever I could to avoid it.  That rendered my entire left side taking the brunt of my fall. 

I'd never experienced anything like this before.  I couldn't exhale nor inhale.  My son was asking if I was OK; I tried to answer, but nothing was coming out.  I stood up and walked around, and still couldn't really breath.  Finally, I was able to start breathing.

My arm was bleeding, and my chest hurt a bit, but decided to continue on and rode for the remainder of my ride.  At the conclusion of the ride, I had planned a brick run...that was when I found out how bad my fall must have been.  I jogged three steps and stopped. The pain was too much for me.

So I was forced to recover and go easy.  I was still able to run last weekend's Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon with my wife, albeit at a nice recovery pace.

Stay healthy and train safe!