Self-limitation--serious question

Triathlon Forum
1

Am I cheating myself on the bike? The recent weightlifting thread got me wondering. Here’s my problem:

Looking at my results from a recent tri, I was 1/13 in my AG on the swim (great), 8/13 on the bike (lousy), 5/13 on the run (pretty good), and 5/13 overall (okay–but no trophy). This is a definite pattern in all my races. I have always assumed it was because my quads and glutes were underdeveloped, so I have been doing weights to improve my strength in that area. However, if one believes TheChameleon and Ric_Stern, it is all about fitness and not strength. When I ride at a HR of about 130, my perceived effort level is much higher than when I run at the same HR. My question is, if I am fit on the swim and run, then why do I “seem to be” less fit on the bike? Could it be that I am just psyching myself out on the bike? Or, could it be technique, i.e., poor pedal stroke? Any thoughts appreciated.

2

I think some people are just naturally better at some sports than others. I can ride all day but running kills me. In the sprint tris that I do, I’m always in the top three AG on my bike, but well back in the run. At one tri this year I was 2/11 on the bike but 9/11 on the run. I’ve podiumed a few times for bronze on the strength of the bike, but will never get a gold until I start taking running more seriously. For me the problem has been that running always seems like work while the bike is fun, so 80% of my training is spent cycling.

It really boils down to you should probably spend more time on the bike and I should be running more.

How do you train on the bike? My suggestion is that you have probably plateaued and would benefit from breaking away a bit from solo training and join a good roadie group. My speed and handling skills improved considerably riding with roadies. Although the workouts may not be as structured , these guys really push you hard and I get a better and more intense workout than if riding solo. Our club is very informal but does hill rides, long rides, TT’s,etc. Perhaps that’s why I find running and swimming so boring, because it’s a solo activity whereas the group ride is a bit more of an adrenaline rush.

3

Well, the good news is that you’ve figured out your “limiter.” How often are your riding now? The off-season is a great time to work on your limiter…you should probably make cycling your priority for the next couple of months. If you ride more, you’ll get faster.

What is your frequency of workouts? I just went to an off-season lecture, and they recommend doing 5/2/2.

How long have you been riding? How long have you been lifting? I don’t wanna get into the whole “weight lifting” debate, but I think lifting has a place in endurance sports. But after a certain strength threshold is met, increasing “fitness” is much more important than increasing strength.

4

A few Points:

  1. Lifting weights, per say, is NOT going to make you a better cyclist UNLESS the resistance training exactly mimics the action on the bike. Better bet is to hit the hills on the bike. That’s sport specific strength

  2. Cycling is a volume activity - In the early going you need to put in a decent amount of volume to build up the fitness

  3. The good news, is that I believe that cycling is the least restictive of the three triathlon sports. Some/many will NEVER be able to swim well, same with running. The techical demands of swimming and the physical demands of running put permanant limitations on many. Not so with the bike. The sport of triathlon has proven that you can take a non cyclist, and with the right, equipment, fit, training and a bit of time turn them into an accomplished cyclist.

5

Disclaimer of idiocy: I only read your post not the entire thread before commenting. If I step on my dick that’s why.

There is often a differentiation on this forum between “strength” and “fitness” as though they are exclusive of one another. Allow me this observation:

“Power” is a function of strength and fitness, and that, combined with endurance, is what makes you fast on the bike IMO.

Specific training that augments and faciliatates strength, fitness (aerobic capacity) and endurance will make you go faster on the bike (if you’re also on the right equipment properly configured for you). The mystery is to find the part of the “triad” you are deficient on: Strength? Fitness? Endurance? Which component is “less” and needs work? That may be the appropriate question.

6

Thanks all. I plan to really step up my riding mileage around mid-Feb. I am waiting until then because I have a 1/2 marathon in Jan and a swim meet in Feb, so I am concentrating on those two disciplines now. But, I have a century ride in Apr, so I want to get ready for it. I also plan to go into the local tri shop here soon and get a Computrainer and fit session.

Also, I have another, not so serious question. Based on my typical finish times, am I a BFOP’er (Back of the Front of the Pack) or a FMOP’er (Front of the Middle of the Pack)?