Tough word, specificity. But I use it because I don't train very well SPECIFICALLY for triathlons. Once upon I did but today it's more about chasing a tennis ball than anything else. Playing tennis is about short anaerobic bursts and changes of direction. It actually compliments my ice hockey play well but not useful for much else.
Riding my bike is great too, but if it's not followed by a moderate run it does me little good.After completing my triathlon back in September I know that I need to do less swimming, almost no biking (alone) but I need to practice both running by itself, or more importantly, running after biking. The next triathlon, same distance and same location, looms less than 2 months away. By doing the 2 transitions smarter and more purposeful I can easily shave off 2+ minutes. A new stiffer, faster bike has been in my garage for 2 weeks now. I rode it this week for about 12+ miles, the same distance as the triathlon distance at about 1 mph faster (17.7 to 18.7) on a similar oval, nearly flat course. That isn't much but over 12 miles will also save about 2 minutes. It never hurts to lift weights and be well rounded.
However, ultimately you have to practice your weaknesses. That should really mean that I need to be in the pool 3 days a week but we know that will never happen. So this Saturday I will have that new bike on Pacific Coast Highway along the ocean, and before that I will be swimming with friend and solo-athlete (I HEART SWIMMING) Brad as we brave the cold Pacific currents to make it to the buoy in the distance...and back!
