I run if I only have an hour to exercise. I was influenced by the Chiliean triathlete of the early 90’s who said that the biggest bang for your time in training was the running. Gave you more cardio than the other 2 disciplines.
running
for each extra %1 of fitness gained you go about 0% faster in the swim, 0.5% faster biking, and a full 1% faster running
because there is no wind or water resistance
=)
.
I, personally, would run. I’m not the best at it, but I enjoy it the most. Plus, I would feel like I acomplished something too.
An hour ride is a waste. Maybe an hour hammering on the trainer would be worth it.
Swimming for an hour is just silly (I think most triathletes overtrain the swim). Only if you are training for an IM would I consider swimming that long. At an easy pace that would be 3500m. And, that is way to far to swim for anything less than IM training. I base my swim training on how long I will be swimming in my next race and an hour is too long.
An hour on a bike trainer can be a pretty good cardio workout too. I find my computrainer workouts to be the most efficient use of my training time.
If your goal is to do better in triathlons, spend it on your weakest discipline.
A powercranks bike ride. It is a run workout also.
X2 on using the extra training on your weakness; but if you are looking strickly for calories burned, weight lose or excursion to your body than assuming intensity would be comparible in all 3 efforts the run is your best bet.
I guess I’m also thinking that my concentrated 20 min on my trainer, 30 on my treadmill, and 10 min stretching and strength training are the best use of an hour for me. But if I only had time to do one thing it would still be running - least amount of set up time.
If I really wanted to bust my ass and get blasted it would be bike. It involves the largest muscles and thus can involve the greatest amount of work in a given period. Next would be running.
Running – especially when considering all the “extras” (changing, transport, etc) 1.5 hr run can be done typically in the same time as a 1:15 bike or 1:00 swim due to this fact.
Frank, Send me a pair and I will be a great salesman for Powercranks! I’ll be your East coast rep!
I’ll start using them now and report back after Cozumel in November.
A one hour nap can do wonders for your fitness…
That being said, I would go for a 58 minute run/2 minute shower. Stretching? No thanks.
I agree with the person who said your weakest discipline. If they are relatively equal, go for the run.
A powercranks bike ride. It is a run workout also.
Frank, do you pay for ad space here?