General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run Rss Feed  
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2007-01-03 7:59 PM

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Master
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Subject: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run

I spotted some articles over on slowtwitch about the ITU's new long course distance of 3K/80K/20K  (1.9mi/49.7mi/12.4mi) as well as a newly proposed "Triathlon 101" - a distance of 3K/130K/30K (1.9mi/80.6mi/18.6mi).  There appears to be some controversy about the ITU's decision to make long course equal to a double olympic.

Ironman distances are based on long-standing tradition, but there isn't much "science" to their relation to each other. 2.4 miles is the distance across Kailua-Kona bay. 112 miles is (more or less) the distance around the perimeter of Oahu. 26 miles is the distance from Marathon to Athens.  The ratio of S/B/R of Iron and HI events is 1/47/11.

Tri 101 has an S/B/R ratio of 1/43/10

ITU distances are based on existing Olympic events.  the S/B/R ratio for ITU short and long course is 1/27/7. 

An "equilateral tri" has been proposed with ratio of 1/8/3.5.  (In theory each leg would take roughly the same amount of time.)

Sprint ratios more random - the swim and bike are dictated by the size of the venue, and the run is generally a 5K.  If the swim venue is small, the ratio can be as hith 1/56/15.

Personally, I like the ratio of the ITU distances, even if they don't have the traditional appeal of the Iron & HI distances.  I think an equilateral tri would be fun, but they don't seem to have caught on. One of my favorite events is a sprint with a relatively long swim for a ratio of 1/18/5.

What do you think is the right ratio of Swim/Bike/Run?

Ironman & HI      - 1/47/11

Triathlon 101      - 1/43/10

ITU Long & Short - 1/27/7

Equilateral Tri      - 1/8/3.5

 



Edited by tim_edwards 2007-01-03 8:01 PM


2007-01-04 9:04 AM
in reply to: #641422

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run

Wow, Tim...and I thought I was a bit of a numbers geek -- You take the cake! 

I'll just speak completely off the top of my head here... 

I like the Olympic/ITU distances and in a perfect world everything would be in kilometers.  1.5k/40k/10k makes sense to me and I support ITU's notion of making the long distance = 2 x Oly Distances.

That said, when will the US start posting more Km/Mi road signs?!  Do I have to keep going up to Quebec for my metric fix?  I really hate that my brain is still stuck in mph and miles-based thinking.  It's time for the US to go global already. 

Triathlon 101 is just a silly marketing scheme but I can see the need and future popularity potential as it nicely bridges the half-Iron and full Iron distances. 

And 26.2 is a silly distance, period, though it does nicely get one from Hopkinton to Boston.  Athens, schmathens!   

 

 

2007-01-04 9:30 AM
in reply to: #641422

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
I like the idea of double oly simply because it plays into my strengths
2007-01-04 9:30 AM
in reply to: #641422

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
sorry double post

Edited by running2far 2007-01-04 9:30 AM
2007-01-04 9:34 AM
in reply to: #641966

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run

There's also the Tri-America long course event(s) that is 2k/60k/15k for a 1-30-7.5 ratio which is about the same as the ITU.

Lowering the bike ratio neutralizes the very good/great biker & lowering the run neutralizes the very good/great runner, all to the advantage of strong swimmers...

I personally thought that the HIM bike leg was too long, but when I get better bike fitness wise it won't matter

2007-01-04 9:37 AM
in reply to: #641422

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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
I think I'd take the HIM distance over double olympic simply for the shorter swim ... and I agree with SunnyS on the metric thing - It took me a while to figure out what 70.3 means. Miles mean nothing outside of the U.S.

D


2007-01-04 1:21 PM
in reply to: #641979

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run

herridge - 2007-01-04 3:37 PM I think I'd take the HIM distance over double olympic simply for the shorter swim ... and I agree with SunnyS on the metric thing - It took me a while to figure out what 70.3 means. Miles mean nothing outside of the U.S. D

 

oi what about us over the pond?!? miles are just fine thank you very much :p 

2007-01-04 1:41 PM
in reply to: #641422

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run

Oi!  There's one of those crazy brits responsible for this whole miles vs. km debate. 

2007-01-04 4:02 PM
in reply to: #641422

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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
I think I'd take the HIM distance over double olympic simply for the shorter swim ... and I agree with SunnyS on the metric thing - It took me a while to figure out what 70.3 means. Miles mean nothing outside of the U.S.

D

its miles for ireland{officially km but we will never get used to it.}
2007-01-04 7:46 PM
in reply to: #641422

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Supersonicus Idioticus
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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
Pretending I was as good as a runner/biker as I was a swimmer, for the Olympic I would want the bike to stay the same length, and increase the swim by 500-700m, and the run another 2K
2007-01-04 10:13 PM
in reply to: #642362

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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
sappho96 - 2007-01-04 2:21 PM

herridge - 2007-01-04 3:37 PM I think I'd take the HIM distance over double olympic simply for the shorter swim ... and I agree with SunnyS on the metric thing - It took me a while to figure out what 70.3 means. Miles mean nothing outside of the U.S. D

oi what about us over the pond?!? miles are just fine thank you very much :p



I thought the U.K. officially went metric ages ago. Oh well, learn something new every day.

D


2007-01-05 8:24 AM
in reply to: #641422

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Subject: RE: Ratios of Swim/Bike/Run
Personally, with a swimming background, I really like the idea of the equilateral tri. It is impossible to get any advantage in the swim (my strength) that isn't easily and quickly lost on the bike and run. The traditional ratios give a big advantage to those with strong bike and running backgrounds.

Are there any organized equilateral tris, or is this just something that is proposed?

Edited by catjammies 2007-01-05 8:24 AM
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