Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?

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2008-08-12 12:51 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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Central New York
Subject: Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?

Hi, All!!

This is my 2nd full season of tris, and I have been getting progressively better in each discipline at each race I do.  I raced a sprint this past Sunday and placed 7/19 in my AG (F30-34), and my overall time was 7 minutes faster than last year.  As I was looking at the times of the people ahead of me, I noticed that while I placed consistently in every split around 7th (exceptions 8th in swim, 5th in bike) almost all of the women ahead of me had one event that they did extremely well in (placing in top 3 or so).

So my question is, should I focus on one discipline more than the others to make myself a little more competitive?

2008-08-12 1:02 PM
in reply to: #1597530

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Elite
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Athens, Georgia
Subject: RE: Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?
IMHO maybe. I think the reason for them having a strong even is one of two things. That event is either their natural background or that event is theif favorite and they train at it more.

I think that if you are going to focus on one even and add volume to it then go for it, but not at the expense of the other two disciplines. Make the extra training truly that, over and above what you do know.

By focusing on my riding which is something I am new at I did get better. However, the amount I improved on the bike did not surpass the amount I declined or failed to get better in the swim and run portion because I neglected them.

Congrats on your gains already and strong placing.
2008-08-12 1:13 PM
in reply to: #1597530

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?
You should focus on your weakness but not to the detriment of the other disciplines. rationale is that there are probably more gains to be made in your weaker sport than can be made in your stronger areas, given the same amount of resources spent.
2008-08-12 2:06 PM
in reply to: #1597649

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?

"Train your weakness, race your strength."

The best triathletes in the bigger races are the solid all arounders, not the specialists.  In shorter distance races I will put up some of the top bike times and FOP run times, but I still finish off the podium because of my weaker swim.  With smaller races and less competitive fields I can get away with that, but not when the big dogs come out to play.

Sounds like you are doing great!  Perhaps spend the off season focusing on one aspect of the sport for a certain amount of time emphasizing getting better at it and then switch to another after a certain period?  This way you can get all aspects with a strong focus while balancing the others and maintaining where you are at that moment.

2008-08-12 2:44 PM
in reply to: #1597530

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Shoul I try to excel at one discipline?

"This is my 2nd full season of tris"

There's the key right there. Give it time. You've still got years of improvement ahead of you.

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