Here's a post looking for debate. I'm wondering how different results in overall times would be if participants were allowed to race their strengths last. I'm not proposing a different kind of triathlon, just wondering about how the mind and body work in a triathlon. Ideally, we're triathletes, so we look at the race as a whole, and pace accordingly. But we all have things that come a bit easier than others, so we spend less or more time at these.
I've noticed with myself, that with the different aspects of triathlon, I'm more comfortable knowing how hard I can push my limits depending on how strong I am at a given activity.
So for example, do you think Larsen could turn in faster Ironman times if he could run before the bike since he may be more comfortable staying conservative on the run, and hammering until the breaking point on the bike. Just the mental factor of knowing there were weaker cyclists ahead of him on the last leg, rather than stronger runners behind him on the last leg, seems like an advantage.
Given two athletes with the same overall time capabilities, it seems to me that whoever is strongest on the last leg would win head to head more often than not.
---------------------------------------------------------
"What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind and body can achieve; and those who stay will be champions."
I've noticed with myself, that with the different aspects of triathlon, I'm more comfortable knowing how hard I can push my limits depending on how strong I am at a given activity.
So for example, do you think Larsen could turn in faster Ironman times if he could run before the bike since he may be more comfortable staying conservative on the run, and hammering until the breaking point on the bike. Just the mental factor of knowing there were weaker cyclists ahead of him on the last leg, rather than stronger runners behind him on the last leg, seems like an advantage.
Given two athletes with the same overall time capabilities, it seems to me that whoever is strongest on the last leg would win head to head more often than not.
---------------------------------------------------------
"What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind and body can achieve; and those who stay will be champions."