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!