Do you just have "it" or not?

I really think you are born with some of "it".  The quote I have heard is "You can't coach speed" or something like that.  You are either fast or not.  I believe foot speed is somewhat inherited, but you can definately improve.  Endurance, I believe you can workon.  I have also heard "if you can run fast, run far".  I have seen my times increase over the last few years but only marginally but I don't really do drills, speed work, etc.  I usually just go or I could probably improve some.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but in my first few years of cycling and running I could not average 17 mph or 10 m/m, respectively. Didn't do tris back then, but I was certainly BOMOP at best in running/cycling events. Did my first duathlon in 2003 where I finished 16 out of 21 in my AG. It was just last year where I started to break through.

Have to agree, though, that the first step in developing real speed is to pick your parents well.

I'm similar to scoobysdad.  Lower and now Upper MOP and flashes of above average stuff, but at the increments I'm improving I'll be 75 before I can average anything FOP.

Speaking of biking and running, I think with basic effort we all have a god-given speed/pace that we'll fall into.  Then, with excess knowledge/work/equipment we can make some potentially impressive improvements from that, but they're gonna be incremental and "on the edge".  I feel with the help of BT I'm still improving, but it's the incremental variety.  It's small steps that I'm very proud of, but they'll never amount to anything epic.  The fact is, I'll never qualify for Boston or Kona. 

Yet, I know a guy that came off the couch fat n' happy and within a year and a half is running sub-1:30 half-mary's.  And, I know their training and it goes against everything we know, so he could learn and become more successful, if he cared enough.

edited to add:  I want to be clear on something...the fast people I know do work d#mn hard, so I'm not taking a thing away from them.  The guy I referenced above works hard, very hard.  Just not "smart" in terms of HR, periodization, etc.  He hasn't even entered the realm of reaching his "edge" yet.

Yes, genetics makes a big difference in whether or not you can get fast quickly.  HOWEVER ..... with proper training and determination anyone physically able can get to a relatively high level.

There are only so many Michael Phelps, Alberto Salazar's and Eddy Mercyx's out there, but there are plenty of other pros that got there through determination and persistence rather than pure genetic ability.

And to put it into perspective - the M35-39 (with the M40-44 not far behind) is the most hotly contested field in all of multi-sport and is where you tend to find the biggest collection of fasties out there.  Many of these people did NOT jsut start out like many of us have, but have been at this thing in some way or another for 10 - 15 years.  And the top tier may as well be pros with the amount they train (15 - 20 hours per week).

When I look at the IM results and see that two or three 30 - 39 year old men beat all the women and crack into the middle of the male pro field, you know there is more than just 5 - 10 hours of training going on.  Genetics will only get you so far, hard work gets you the rest!

The converse is equally true.

I'll be happy to just occasionally approach the top 10% in any of the disciplines (though I'm not holding my breath for a swim finish there), in any race.

I surprised myself with a top 15% bike finish in my first (sprint) tri.  But, then again, I  followed that up with a mediocre 37% run finish--which was my stronger discipline.  Can you say "fried on the bike"?

But, hey, live and learn.  And that's what makes tri's fun. 

Not to hijack, but why do you think the middle-aged dudes are so competitive for the overall? Does multisport favor "seasoning" as opposed to plain youth?

I mean, on the one hand, its encouraging to think (as I near the big 4-0 in a couple weeks) fast dudes in your AG can be competitive for the overall; on the other hand, it sucks because it makes any good AG placement so tough.

Guncollector makes my point.  I have worked hard and trained consistently for a number of years in order to reach the levels he achieved in his very first sprint tri.  He talks about "occasionally" reaching of the top 10% like it's attainable. 

Like scoobysdad, there's no way on this earth I will reach that level anytime soon, and I've worked consistently for years at this sport.  At least the races I'm doing, 20-22 mph on the bike, and 7:30 runs aren't sniffing the top 10% of anything.

People, this is no different than golf, or playing piano, or any other skill.  Some people are better than others.  Some people work hard to get to level x.  Some people can coast to level x, and some with ability choose not to coast and make level y or z.

Again, guncollector, on some level going in you could tell you were good, as you expect top-10% already.  And I'm not insinuating you aren't working hard.  You just have some of "it" working for you already.

Or people in WI are way more fit and active than San Fran (doubtful). 

*cough* weekends *cough*

I have to bust yer balls a little bit and know what a dedicated parent you are, but simple facts are a lot of folks are working on 'it' over the weekend.  This is a great site in part cuz you can see what folks are doing to get where they are.  If it is a priority to get there, you have to be willing to do what those folks are doing.  This is in no way a cut on you morey cuz I know how much you bust yer azz.  I think you can also admit that you just recently got a little smarter with adding recovery runs and easing back a bit cuz of some coaching.  So folks might have some advantage from a background of athletics or what not, but from there its working harder and smarter IMO.  I am pretty sure you havent tapped all ya got outta that turnip yet.

On this subject, I remember a couple of years ago when Lance was on Letterman.

Letterman makes a reference to Lance's incredible achievements and his obvious athletic talent.

Lance gets his usual "aw shucks" look and says, "Well, I like to think it's all about hard work."

Yes, of course it's very humble to say "it's all about hard work," and certainly success like his never comes without hard work, but it's also about a huge amount of inherent ability.

Umm...just to clarify...I said I'd be happy to just "approach" (not necessarily break into) the top 10% in a single discipline.

Just sayin', cause I have no illusions about approaching the top 10% overall.

I agree with everything stated in your post jszat.  That's not the question though. 

Scoobysdad, with hard work, listening to those on BT, training with folks faster than you, and more hard work, you will continue to improve.  And the improvements will be faster than had you just gone solo.  I have lopped off 30-45 seconds off of the average paces of most of my runs in less than a year.  I've added a solid 2mph on the bike.  I hope that gives you the inspiration you were looking for.

That being said, jszat, I stick to my statement ...I'll never qualify for Kona.  I'm not gonna stop trying to improve though, and I'll never be satisfied.  So, that statement isn't self-defeating, just realistic given where I'm at today, and the speed required to qualify for the major events.

I dunno, I think there is some genetic advantage perhaps, but to write that off as the whole kit and kaboodle undermines the hard work folks are doing to get where they are.  Its a balance for most people between work, parenting, other hobbies, whatever and I think that too often the reality of those things as opportunity costs in attaining higher levels.  You might not qualify for Kona, but a lot of that has to do with your comfort in tri in your life balance.  If you made up your mind and could you do it?  I dont know.  But rest assured if you tell yourself you arent and then dont take action to try and get there you most certainly wont.  That is an extreme but I think you see my point a bit.   

I remember during Lance's last tour, ESPN had a website section about his body.   He has higher lung capacity than 95% of the population.  His RHR is like 35 and his legs are proportioned so he generates more leverage with less effort than others.    So yes, he worked his behind off all the time, but he was given a better weapon to do battle with than his competition. 

I was just thinking that really this goes back to the old "life's not fair" thing.   Some people have better natural ability and there is nothing you or I can do about it.   In high school/college, it seemed like the jerks got all the cute girls.   My neighbor, with no schooling, makes a LOT more money than I do.   A coworker of mine, runs 10k @ 6:00/mile pace 3 times a week without stretching and in cross trainers without injury.   I can't run 3 miles at 9:00/pace in good running shoes without injuring myself.    Life sucks.  We all have limitations and you need to learn to accept them. 

There is also this kid in my neighborhood who can't walk. I guess my MOP finish isn't so bad as long as I can still run/bike/swim at all.