Hansen pulling a "Gary Hall, Jr."

Now, Hansen doesn't want to train/compete during non-Olympic years. Well, at least, he is staying in good shape with the triathlon training/competing. I wouldn't like his "Gary Hall, Jr." approach this if he wasn't doing the tri stuff. But, since he is doing some kind of training, it can't hurt to try new things at 28. He has probably tried everything else to win that Olympic gold. Overall, I think that Shanteau is the future of American Breaststrokers. Hansen had his day back in 2004 to 2006. But, who knows what can happen. Dara Torres is America's best sprinter right now and she is in her 40s. reachforthewall.com/.../ looking at his tri results: he is a very good runner but an average biker

looking at his tri results: he is a very good runner but an average biker The cycling takes time to develop. Usually swimmers turning to triathlon are able to run pretty fast, but their bodies are not ready for the pounding. Early injuries are common mainly due to impatience to get fast quickly. But cycling can be worked from the begining. That is if the athlete can take sitting on a bike seat for long stretches of time! Lots of strategy and variations of training make it pretty darn fun. I would not say that co-existing as a triathlete and competitive swimmer makes one faster in the pool. But that is just my own personal experience. If Brendan likes triathlon, I imagine he could be quite good with his reputation for meticulous training and planning.

Can't he try some thing else for a while ?

I don't think we'll see him or Crocker ever again. Crocker who?? :) I think that Hansen might give it another shot but I doubt that Crocker will. I wish Hansen well but enough for the articles every six months about your sabbatical or when you are or aren't going to get back to competitive swimming. But, I guess that he does these interviews to keep him relevant or something.

I don't think we'll see him or Crocker ever again.

I would not say that co-existing as a triathlete and competitive swimmer makes one faster in the pool. But that is just my own personal experience. I agree and am trying to figure out why. I was going to start a post called "cross training doesn’t help" I have swam 15-18K pretty consistently this whole year. I added running to my routine 2.5 months ago and since then my swimming has deteriorated. It might be because I am physically tired but I think the real reason is reduced flexibility.

I would not say that co-existing as a triathlete and competitive swimmer makes one faster in the pool. True. Sports are specific. There is a generality to many sports, yet at elite levels, there aren't many who can excell at more than one. Nolan Ryan may be able to throw a baseball 90 miles an hour but I'll bet a dozen donuts he couldn't throw a football anywhere near NFL caliber. Remember Michael Jordan's attempt at MLB? Why aren't the ranks of masters golf filled with ex-pro athletes? Why can't Ion win at swimming? (ok forget the last one). Specificity of sport. Hansen will do just fine as a tri-athlete. Chances are he won't be world class, but more power to him for trying. It is triathaloning after all.

True. Sports are specific. There is a generality to many sports, yet at elite levels, there aren't many who can excell at more than one. 2 words: Neon. Deion. Scored an NFL touchdown and hit a MLB home run in the same week. Very few others. In our sport, I believe Matt Biondi was a superb water polo player; I'm sure there are other swim/polo stars whose names I'm forgetting at the moment. John Moffitt was a very good cyclist, and Mike Barrowman tried out for the US Canoeing team, though I'm not sure how far he got in that quest. There must be other examples of swimmers who excel at other sports. I for example play a mean game of beer pong.

There must be other examples of swimmers who excel at other sports. I don't think so ... isn't that why we're swimmers in the first place? :)

Swimming doesn't leave a lot of time for other sports.