Which discipline benefits the others most?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Which discipline benefits the others most? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2005-03-03 10:26 AM

User image

Expert
1274
10001001002525
Jackson, Mississippi
Subject: Which discipline benefits the others most?
This is a thread i've been wanting to start for a while and is somewhat of a piggyback on the "who would make the best triathlete" thread.

My question, strictly from an endurance standpoint, is as the subject suggests..

Which discipline benefits the others the most?

Not from a strategy standpoint (i.e. the bike benefits the run the most because if you are a good cyclist then you have energy left over to burn for the run)

I'd like to think that swim training can make you a better runner and cyclist where the opposite might not be true.

Any thoughts??

thanks
Will


2005-03-03 10:50 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Official BT Coach
2210
2000100100
Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
I guess it depends on your point of view. Are you asking what is the least destructive on the body while still burning calories? Are you saying which requires the most endurance? Many questions? Swimming is the least destructive on the body. Cycling can be done for the longest distances, I suppose in miles. Running burns the most calories per session. So that's my 2 cents.
2005-03-03 10:59 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Expert
1274
10001001002525
Jackson, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
Just regarding endurance.

I think that Swimming increases your running endurance.. but.. does running increase your swimming endurance? if so.. does it increase it as much?

that sort of thing..

ws


2005-03-03 11:04 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

molto veloce mama
9311
500020002000100100100
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
it depends on the individual, but i would vote for running. i was a good swimmer and biker and NOT a runner at all before i started tri training. my swimming and biking have both improved as my running has improved. my resting heart rate has declined. my body is trimmer. my belief in my ability as an athlete has increased. all of this was from running.
2005-03-03 11:34 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Elite
3498
20001000100100100100252525
Chicago
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?

biking endurance translates into running endurance.

my coach has me do long bike rides while marathon training to gain endurance but keep injuries at bay.

2005-03-03 11:46 AM
in reply to: #124845

User image

Expert
1836
100050010010010025
Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
waskelton - 2005-03-03 8:59 AMJust regarding endurance.I think that Swimming increases your running endurance.. but.. does running increase your swimming endurance? if so.. does it increase it as much?that sort of thing..ws
Swimming uses different muscles than biking and running. A lot of your bike and run training will provide immediate benefits toward the other (bike helps run, run helps bike). While running can be hard on the knees/ankles/back, it can provide the most aerobic (endurance) benefit. As your aerobic capacity increases, it will help your swim endurance somewhat.Proper technique will go much farther to improving your endurance in a particular discipline. Good swim form will lead to the greatest increase in swim endurance. Same for biking and running. In any effort to go faster, we typically sacrifice technique for power. If you try to FORCE your way through the water, you'll be beat before you get on the bike. If you glide through the water, you conserve that much more energy for later.

2005-03-03 11:55 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?

Personally, completely anectodally, I know my biking has helped my running tremendously, but I can't see where the running has helped the biking at all. Of course I was running before I started the biking...

Can't see where swimming helps anything, just takes training time away from the two real sports.

2005-03-03 12:03 PM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
And I think swimming has helped my running in that it has improved my cardio-pulmonary system -- basically, taught me how to breathe better.

But I agree that form has a lot to do with improvements in each discipline, and especially swimming. When I cleaned up my form on the run, I watched my HR drop and my speed increase, as well as my endurance. I like to think my bike form was always pretty good, but considering I'm still on a mountain bike...
2005-03-03 12:12 PM
in reply to: #124872

User image

Expert
1065
10002525
Montreal
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
the bear - 2005-03-03 11:55 AM
Can't see where swimming helps anything, just takes training time away from the two real sports.



AMEN Brother Bear!

I have found they all compliment each other. When I started swimming in August I couldn't do 50 meters without stopping for 5 minutes to catch my breath. I stopped swimming from September to January and my first time back in the pool I did 700 meters in 27 minutes which would have taken me over an hour in August if I could have stayed in the water that long. I am hoping that the water work will pay off with some stronger shoulder and back muscles.
2005-03-03 12:45 PM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Master
1989
1000500100100100100252525
New Jersey
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
I've heard lots of runners say their running improved after they started cycling. You still build endurance, but it's much easier on the knees. Plus you learn a quicker cadence.
2005-03-04 11:24 AM
in reply to: #124819

User image

Veteran
132
10025
Montreal
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
I'm no expert, but wouldn't swimming help streamline your body's oxygen usage (hypoxic training)? And doesn't it also help strengthen core support muscles (especially when training with mixed strokes)?

I also find that an easy swim session after a long run or bike ride will loosen my mucscles and help me recover faster.

Matthew

2005-03-04 1:21 PM
in reply to: #124872

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Which discipline benefits the others most?
the bear - 2005-03-03 11:55 AM

Can't see where swimming helps anything, just takes training time away from the two real sports.

Bear, you're always good for a great quote. 

I think running and biking are closely related since they rely heavily on the lower body.  Oxygen intake is unlimited and aerobic endurance is the key. 

Swimming is on its own since its mostly upperbody and your speed is throttled by oxygen depletion.  Since breathing is more regulated, your long distance swimming speed will be dictated by your muscle's ability to contract with a limited oxygen supply.  You can't breathe any faster than your stroke.  There is an equilibrium that you'll strike relative to stroke turnover and your ability to breathe, delivering O2 to the muscles and discharging CO2.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Which discipline benefits the others most? Rss Feed