Subject: RE: Strength Training and IM training I think strength training for triathlon, in general, depends on two things: your time investment into training (or limited training time being a requirement ), and one's genetics. I am easily susceptible to sore knees, muscle imbalances, and back/core weakness and soreness - especially as I ramp up training. Others I know don't strength train and don't have any issues. Last year I began training for a long course tri (1/2 iron ) and with very little strength and core work (and overtraining! ), my body fell apart in two months. It culminated in my back going out and missing 5 races including my long course. I learned my lesson from last year, and even the year previous, that strength/core training is a requirement and *investment* for me. I do Pilates once per week and a light to moderate full strength session once per week. Pilates is great because it focuses on core and back and is perfectly scheduled for 1 hr the morning of my long bike on Saturday. I then do weights for 45-60 minutes sometime after the long run on Sunday (I think I'm changing the day to Wednesday ). Many training plans don't include strength training as part of the time investment and I think this is misleading. Some even say that you'll gain strength while you train the 3 disciplines. While that may be true, I can't imagine that it provides what one would need to fully support the workouts. I am also training for my first IM this year and so far my strength program has helped immensely. |