I first want to say thanks to trainingpeaks and Matt, whoever allowed us access to the power file, so many triathletes guard their files like gold which makes no sense to me. I also don't want to take anything away from ITU athletes as they are killer athletes in all sports they compete in, no question.
In looking at the power file however I was struck by the fact that they are in fact cycling at a level much lower than their running and swimming performances, no doubt. His average power was 275 for 1 hour (I know NP was 300), I know he's 140 lbs but still, the fact that these guys are swimming like 18 minutes and running 31 minute 10ks, 275 watts for an hour is much easier relatively, not to say though that many couldn't ride much harder. TJ Tollakson averaged 280 watts for 4.5 hours in an his Ironman win at Lake Placid. He was also in the breakaway, if you rode in the main "peloton" there is no question you could put out like 200 watts and stay with that main pack. I remember in the tour one year they had a heart rate monitor on a guy in the peloton and he was just sitting there at like 58 bpm just getting pulled along by the rest of the group.
Just my observation.
In looking at the power file however I was struck by the fact that they are in fact cycling at a level much lower than their running and swimming performances, no doubt. His average power was 275 for 1 hour (I know NP was 300), I know he's 140 lbs but still, the fact that these guys are swimming like 18 minutes and running 31 minute 10ks, 275 watts for an hour is much easier relatively, not to say though that many couldn't ride much harder. TJ Tollakson averaged 280 watts for 4.5 hours in an his Ironman win at Lake Placid. He was also in the breakaway, if you rode in the main "peloton" there is no question you could put out like 200 watts and stay with that main pack. I remember in the tour one year they had a heart rate monitor on a guy in the peloton and he was just sitting there at like 58 bpm just getting pulled along by the rest of the group.
Just my observation.