My family and I are moving to Hong Kong in 10 days for a 2 year rotation
I started triathlon in 2007 and just did my last race for a while yesterday. While in HK, I plan to focus on just running. When we return, I plan on getting back into triathlon.
For those that did something similar (e.g. put triathlon on hold while you focused on a single endurance sport), tell me about your experiences.
Had a decent year in tris in 06 and then suffered a “mishap” over that winter. Decided to run only in 2007. When I left tri and started running I was an 18:20 5k guy with an FTP of 280. When I started back on the bike 1 year later I was a 16:50 5k guy with a FTP of 230 watts, back up to 280 watts in 3 months and 2 years later I was still a high 16’s 5k with a FTP of 320 watts.
This year I an only bike riding, mostly TT’s, zero running or swimming. I just don’t have the time right now for 3 sports. I expect to be a 350+ watt FTP guy when I am done and a low 16’s 5k guy 12-18 months after resuming running. (Lighter and smarter run training)
And after all that I intend to get my 500 free time back down to college levels (5:10 or so) and be the oldest guy to ever get his elite card.
In a nutshell, don’t worry about it. Crush the run, it is the most important leg of the race, and probably the best one for the majority of triathletes to do any kind of focus.
Dave summed it up nicely. Could not have said it better myself. Just make sure you do the running right - which for the most part is not running a marathon. As Dave did, focus on running solid 5K and 10K’s and maybe stretching it up to a 1/2 marathon.
Dave summed it up nicely. Could not have said it better myself. Just make sure you do the running right - which for the most part is not running a marathon. As Dave did, focus on running solid 5K and 10K’s and maybe stretching it up to a 1/2 marathon.
Hmm. Why do you say that about marathons, Fleck? I’ve reduced myself to just one tri per year the past 4 years and focused on running in that time. Result: Qualified for Boston, and scored new 10k and half-marathon PRs.
My swim and bike times in the shorty tris I’ve done each year haven’t suffered at all, but my run sure as heck has improved! I think that if I were to return to getting in some solid bike miles (which I’m hoping to do this summer), my half-IM times would show marked improvement.
So chalk me up as one data point in favor of taking a couple years to focus on running. I’ve been amazed at the results.