Isn’t this a bit of a misnomer given that the event goes from anywhere from 1 hour 40s range for pros through to 3 hour plus range for others? hah
1500m swim - @19:00 - 1:05/100yd
40k bike - 60:00 - 25 mph
10k run - 33:00 - 5:20/mile
1:52 total (minus transititions)
at least in my mind, those times take some speed work.
Being ‘fast’ and an event being a ‘speed’ event are two different things aren’t they?
at this point those times are fast for me. But i’ve only spent one summer in NZ. If I get to spend a year like I hope maybe I’ll come back to the states thinking an olympic is slow!
but i see your point. it is definitely an endurance event that takes almost as much time as a marathon for some of us (or at least a 30k)
at this point those times are fast for me. But i’ve only spent one summer in NZ. If I get to spend a year like I hope maybe I’ll come back to the states thinking an olympic is slow!
but i see your point. it is definitely an endurance event that takes almost as much time as a marathon for some of us (or at least a 30k)
you in nz right now? whereabouts?
not now. I’m in indianapolis. I was in wellington last july and august and may be there again from september to june next year.
I’ll let you know. where are you?
I’m in Wellington too, altho I am moving away for 2 months in early jan, but a return appears to be on the cards after then.
Even a sprint distance race is not really a ‘speed’ event. Seems whack to think that races like 5000m or 1500free are considered middle distance/distance events yet an event which is an hour and a half longer or so is considered a ‘speed’ event.
There’s speed as in:
the ability to cover a given distance in the shortest possible time during an all-out effort of very short duration
or speed as in:
the highest rate at which a movement or a series of movements can be executed
The latter definition could be considered relevant to triathlon training.
Dan
“an event which is an hour and a half longer or so is considered a ‘speed’ event.”
It’s all relative. Two years ago I did the AVAC super sprint, put on by Pete Kain’s group in San Jose. What a BLAST: 400 yard pool swim - 5 mile stationary bike (like riding up a 7% grade for 15 minutes) - 2 mile run. Total time ~29:00. I never hurt so much in my life.
And truly, 29 minutes is not sprinting! Not a speed event, but definitely faster than I move in an Oly.
1500m swim - @19:00 - 1:05/100yd
40k bike - 60:00 - 25 mph
10k run - 33:00 - 5:20/mile
1:52 total (minus transititions)
at least in my mind, those times take some speed work
Unless I did the math wrong, 19:00 for a 1500m (1640.4yds) is 1:09.5/100yd. 1:05/100yd is more like 17:45.
I agree with you though - it takes some speed for olympic distances.
This is a good point although it depends what your definition of “speed” is…
i don’t even try and do my own math. i know better. i got those numbers from the pace charts at tri newbies
That depends on your definition of ‘speed’.
Would you say that an open 10K requires ‘speed’? If your answer is NO, then an olympic distance race does not require speed either. If your answer is YES then an olympic distance requires speed as well since, if you pace your race well, your Olympic-10K is going to be closely correlated to your open 10K time which you said requires speed;-)
Sindre
I don’t think ‘speed’ is a problem for many people - it is just sustaining that speed for a longer period of time that becomes a bit tricky. Most people can run fast enough over 200m to run a 30min 10km, they just have bit of trouble keeping that speed going for the 10km. the swim can be a bit different, as some can’t get going fast, and do literally have 1 speed. ‘Speed’ work is generally to help improve the speed/strength endurance, rather than pure speed… the same goes in the marathon, or ironman, it is just relative.
I’m not fast by any stretch, in fact my PB for the Olympic is 3:25 and I’m damn proud of it - shaved over 30 minutes off it since my first one.
This is a " speed" event for me - I go into it thinking fast and pushing myself, not saving myself for endurance sake.
So, for me it’s a " mental " thing in a way … make sense?
When you say “speed” do you mean training or talent?
No you don’t need to be a good “sprinter” but yes, you should train at relatively fast paces…sometimes.
A 400m race on the track is 80% aerobic. Speed is how you define it, and I have a seen a few different definitions on ST.
The training for an Olympic distance definitely requires more speedwork than for a half or full IM distance race. You are racing for close to 2 hours which is fast but not an anaerobic sufferfest like an 800m on the track but still requires some “800m like” training to get your pain threshold up and your cruising speed at a higher level.