I am a believer............

i have to agree. I'm 5'9, 146. I was 160 coming into tris last year. Lost some weight quick and have had to fight to maintain the weight ever since. I have done some sort of resitance training for the past 20 years. My body has taken on somewhat of a different shape as you mentioned, especially in the past few months where i've stopped the training all but 20-30' a week. Made a conscious effort last week to change that. Not because of injuries as you mentioned, but it has always been part of my fitness routine. The argument between strength training benefits for tris will always go on...but the benefits to me personally are many, and i enjoy it too much to not do it.

I am an ex bodybuilder and ultra runner and have used weights in some shap or form for over 25 years.  I believe that resistance work has a place in everyones program you just have to periodise it like your tri trg.  I weight train because at my age 54 it does me a great deal of good and  I enjoy it as an integral part of my weekly tri trg.

Coming from a weight lifting background I'm learning to tone down (pun intended) my weight lifting and focus on more core, flexibility, and more functionality movements and lifts. I'm learning these type of lifts and workouts are making me an overall stronger athlete.