Triathletes

Go talk to any half seriouse road cyclist or runner and you'll hear the same thing. I'll never forget being on a ride with a group of roadies when two tri-guys i full regalia hooked up with the group (aero bars, iron man tattoo's, rear seat water bottles, the works). Not only did they not have a clue about the general etiquette of riding in a group (they tried to sit at the front & "pull" but slowed the group down and they had no idea how to rotate out and hook up on the back), but they we're dangerous. My expereince is that the mid level and wanna be's that make up the vast majority of the sport are uncoachable (reading an article by Dave Scott then going to the pool is not the same as being coached) and sport way to much attitude. At the pool recently a small pack cornered me, when I asked what they did hear in Boulder the reply was "Im a triathlete", when they asked me I said I was a sales rep......which generated a reply of "well actually I work for so and so". There's the difference....mst of us don't define ourselves by what we do for recreation!

I've never understood the "glamour" that many "lay" people seem to associate with the triathalon especially an iron man. When they show the Hawaii Iron Man on TV they always show those people crawling across the finish line in a delirium (undoubtedly having soiled themselves as well). What's the glory in that??? Many of the triathletes that I have the misfortune of training with seem to have this "I am better than you because I swim and bike as well" attitude and because of that they are more deserving of the coaches' time and energy. I don't feel because I have chosen to EXCEL in one sport rather than be mediocre in three that I am any less of an athlete...

I believe the coach can make a big difference in how triathletes fit into a workout. Teaching workout etiquette and making sure everyone is in the correct lane are essential. 1. stick to the interval 2. leave 5 sec apart, 10 if there is room, and be consistent 3. move out of the way so the swimmers behind you can finish 4. learn to read the clock - you can't descend or learn pace if you don't look at the clock Just a few of my pet peeves. I had words with a triathlete last week who wouldn't move out of the way and let me finish.

I think I must be lucky to have such great lane mates. We've been together long enough now that we just sort of always end up in the correct order depending on the set. If one of us bonks in a hard set, they'll just politely move over. We have our kick leaders, our IM leaders, sprint, mid, long etc leaders. Plus, our coach doesn't take any grief, he sees a laggard and he corrects that pretty quickly. When I read some folks have lane mates who can't read a clock or won't move over, it makes me realize just how good I have it with our little team.

Originally posted by Kevin in MD You are mistaken. Lance Armstrong and his one hour power output of 500 watts would beat you and your 100 watts on any road bicycle ever made, including your 10 speed Schwinn from 1970. When climbing it is a matter of power to weight ratio. Steady watts divided by the weight of rider + bicycle. You weigh 150 same as Lance possibly. You ride thre 17 pound new bike He rides the 50 pound schwinn. For the sake of argument we'll be kind and say you can hold 200 watts for an hour. LA = 500 / (150+50) = 2.5 watts per pound. You = 200 / (150+17) = 1.2 watts per pound. He'd climb up a hill twice as fast as you would. On he flats it is power / aero profile. The aero profiles of road bikes have only gotten better by about 20%. Meaning he'd go MUCH MUCH more faster than you would on the flats. Good stuff. But I disagree with your conclusions: First Lance will perform comparitively better on a hill on my 10 speed than he would on a flat. The simple reason is that over coming gravity is the most significant counter force and that coeeficient will be the same for both of us. But on a flat, the increased friction due to an inferior bike is the most significant counter force and that would not be the same for both of us. If a rider could generate 375 watts to Lance's 500, and if Lance had to utilize 100 additional watts vs 25 for the given rider because of increased friction (assumed speed of 5 m/sec), and if the bikes were 8 Kilos vs 20 Kilos, I think you will find that the speed would be similar: LA (500-100)/ 90 K = 4.44 Rider (375-25) / 78 K = 4.48 Now could I generate 375 watts of continuous power? Ehh, probably not anymore. But that is not a level of an elite cyclist only a really good one, and that was kind of the point I was trying to get at! You CAN buy speed.

I GUESS THIS ISN'T THE "SWIM FOR PEACE" THREAD. I would think that all the knowlegeable and experienced swimmers would be pleased to share technique and training tips with the triguys. It never hurts to do 50's, 100,s etc and with a little instruction most of them will join in willingly. What's wrong with swimming freestyle most of the time? If your best event is th 1650, it's hard to see how swimming breaststroke is going to be much help. In my experience , most triguys want to learn proper technique except when it comes to flip turns which they could care less about. As for the obnoxious ones, we handle them the same way we handle the obnoxious swimmers...

Originally posted by Bobby Of course take the cash! 999 Maybe we could tri-charge them. Seems like the more things cost, the more they respect them. I'm amazed how many of them come to our coach, pay 300 for a six pack of private lessons a month before their race, don't swim more then a thousand yards two to three times a week, and theink their swimming is going to improve. Forget the VO2Max Methinks I need to invent an under water ankle flexing kickcycle sell them for 5K a piece, rent a pool at the local 24 hour fitness and hold a bubble-cycle class!!! (Got laundry to toss in the spin cycle?) ;)

Originally posted by lefty If I switched bikes with Lance Armstrong he would have a hard time keeping up with me (and I am not saying that for effect. It really is true). You are mistaken. Lance Armstrong and his one hour power output of 500 watts would beat you and your 100 watts on any road bicycle ever made, including your 10 speed Schwinn from 1970. When climbing it is a matter of power to weight ratio. Steady watts divided by the weight of rider + bicycle. You weigh 150 same as Lance possibly. You ride thre 17 pound new bike He rides the 50 pound schwinn. For the sake of argument we'll be kind and say you can hold 200 watts for an hour. LA = 500 / (150+50) = 2.5 watts per pound. You = 200 / (150+17) = 1.2 watts per pound. He'd climb up a hill twice as fast as you would. On he flats it is power / aero profile. The aero profiles of road bikes have only gotten better by about 20%. Meaning he'd go MUCH MUCH more faster than you would on the flats.

I'm enjoying the tri bash we have going here. Can anyone explain to me why swimming a 2000 with a pull buoy and paddles is proper training for a triathlon swim event? Can you wear a pull buoy and paddles in a triathlon? And, why if you are a triathlete and doing your swim day, do you have to wear the ridiculous two piece man bikini? What is that bra top doing for you in the pool that it is required to wear it? Further, if you aren't jumping out of the pool and onto your bike, the padded bike shorts ARE NOT SWIM SUITS. Lastly, it is not necessary to wear a heart rate monitor at all times during the day.

I agree with Betsy. It is the coach that must be the leader and figure of authority. If that is not done, the entire workout is a mess, tri people or not. If the coach takes power, the tri guys and gals will do what they are told, and make little problem for others. I have never had any trouble finding the wall at the end of a set, but can understand those who lack the mass and direct approach I bring to the pool. In my case, Mass+ thrust = clear wall to touch, whether or not the offending party is watching my impending finish. A couple of those finishes, and there are no words necessary. Another thing to consider: Triathletes are very similar to fitness swimmers in their outlook, but are the ones who pay a large part of the bills we competitive swimmers would not be able to touch if we became exclusive in workouts. USMS is comprised of about 80-90% fitness swimmers (that includes triathletes, because they rarely compete at our meets), so remember to smile while you are swimming by that tri geek or lane whale, because without them and their paid up dues, we have nothing to do, nowhere to go.