Handicaped by size? (Page 3)

I don't think size is really a factor unless you are on the extreme ends (under 5', over 7'). 

Then again, maybe you can go to Kona and be one of those profiled special needs athletes, right next to the guy with one arm.

That is the plan.

When it comes to running and biking I am assuming that being smaller is an advantage...With swimming height is obviously without a doubt an advantage...this isnt even a discussion in the swimming world-Its a fact...

There hasnt been a male swimmer smaller than 6ft in a final at the olympics since atlanta in 1996...

Stroke distance is the factor here...

I don't think size is a handicap as much as genetic makeup.  ie. Muscle types slow twitch vs fast twitch, heart size, and lactic acid tolerance.  That does not change no matter how hard or how much you train.  The example I have would be my father and grandfather.  Both are 6'1 and about 175 ex-smokers and drink and eat as much as they want.  However, both have a resting HR of about 45. My father never workouts and thinks it is stupid, but the other day went running with me for 4 miles and ran 8 min miles and hardly broke a sweat.   My grandfather runs 5 miles everyday at about 9 min pace.  I have been training for over seven years and still cannot run with either one of them when they decide to get up and go. 

When I first got into bike racing a very long time ago, a buddy mentioned that basically all elite athletes are the same.  The one who wins is the one who is willing to hurt more. 

I am 5'8" and 200 pounds.  I place in my age group.

In other words, I choose not to let my height or weight be a handicap.  I just work hard. 

Chandy, I understand your question. I am the same height and inseam as you and train with a bunch of guys who are taller and longer legs.....so I have thought about this before. I know you are asking if everything else was the same..., the thing is there are to many variables for that ever to be the case. IMO there are just to many other physical variables to even consider leg length a serious detriment with a 30" inseam. Now if you were 30" tall that variable would seriously out weigh the others (weight, training, VO2, vascular efficiency,ect.) Otherwise, I think we can take those long legged bastards.

Im gonna start carrying a Tonya Harding model lead pipe with me on the bike and try to level the field as folks either pass or get passed....

The smaller you can make yourself on the bike the faster you can go.  Once you hit 20mph, wind resistance becomes a major factor, thus aerodynamics become key.  Somebody who is 5' is going to have a much smaller cross section then somebody who is 6'2" for instance.  The taller you are the taller the bike needs to be, the taller you sit up in the wind.

While height is an advantage is swimming, it isn't an advantage in biking or endurance running.  Weight is a hindrance in all 3 events.