Training

To run faster, give up cycling & swimming?

The May 8 edition of the New York Times posed a rather interesting question: Can you simultaneously peak for three different sports, i.e., swimming, cycling and running?

While some may argue the merits of the answer (which is “no” by the way in case you haven’t guessed), I think the energy should be directed toward how we define “peak.” After all, unless you’re gunning for the podium, your peak can only be compared to your previous performances. Not another athlete’s.

Like many, author Gina Kolata presumes that peak performance is set up as “you vs. The Gold Standard.” You are competing against your genetic potential in each sport separately. If you can hold a 6-min. 5K during a local road race, then you should be able to do the same in a sprint triathlon…after an hour “warm-up” swimming and biking.

I would suggest that triathlon, or any multisport event, is an event upon itself. Treat it as a whole, not as a collection of sports thrown together willy-nilly. Your peak would then be defined relative to triathlon, not running or swimming or cycling.

Just my humble two cents.

Anyway, you can read the article by clicking here.

P.S. A special thanks for Curly Su for bringing this to my attention.

© 2008 The Outdoor Journey.