Triathlon - In case you didn't really think we were athletes...

...see here [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/rson-cra082410.php] for the great benefits of multi-sport training, triathlon style.

Super short version:
Triathlon training combines resistance & endurance training, thus making the heart muscles bigger and more efficient. This is compared to exclusive endurance training, which makes things bigger, but asymmetrically, and to exclusive resistance training, which makes the pumping efficient for short times at high exertion, but does little for other heart health.

...see here [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/rson-cra082410.php] for the great benefits of multi-sport training, triathlon style.

Super short version:
Triathlon training combines resistance & endurance training, thus making the heart muscles bigger and more efficient. This is compared to exclusive endurance training, which makes things bigger, but asymmetrically, and to exclusive resistance training, which makes the pumping efficient for short times at high exertion, but does little for other heart health.

wow never thought of my self as an athlete :rolleyes:

da page is missing...

The link appears busted.

However, I've never heard anybody describe a typical triathlete's training as including resistance training.

Not saying people don't do it, but if they do, I don't see how it would be any different than a pure cycling guy who also hit the gym (if endurance+resistance was really what set triathlete's apart).

Hmmm who woulda thunk it, exercise is good for you?

Why wouldn't triATHLETES be athletes? That being said, a lot of triathletes don't resistance train...

I do plenty of resistance training of not draining my savings account on a bicycle.

I'm pretty sure this is a discussion that's been had over and over, but I might as well toss in. In my limited triathlon experience, it seems resistance training would come in handy if properly done. I swam in college and we hit the weight room twice a week instead of morning swims. Our lifting regimen was specially designed for swimmers and very different from the weight plan of the volleyball team, basketball team, cheer team, and everyone else, but still we lifted. Proper resistance seems like it should be beneficial for triathletes as a supplement to all the swimming, biking, and running, as long as it retains a minor role.
That being said, and on a more silly note, I'm wondering how many tri's I have to do before I can call myself a "triathlete" without feeling like a poser. It's like calling myself a "surfer". I'm more of "a guy that floats on a board in the ocean and occasionally rides a wave straight in". Two tris? Three? Moving from sprint distance to Olympic? Its a nonsense ego point, I know. But those are fun to talk about sometimes.

That being said, and on a more silly note, I'm wondering how many tri's I have to do before I can call myself a "triathlete" without feeling like a poser. It's like calling myself a "surfer". I'm more of "a guy that floats on a board in the ocean and occasionally rides a wave straight in". Two tris? Three? Moving from sprint distance to Olympic? Its a nonsense ego point, I know. But those are fun to talk about sometimes.

I haven't really thought about it before, but... if you haven't done the tri yet, you're "training for a triathlon". If you did a tri, and that's pretty much it, you "did a triathlon". If you did a tri, and you are planning another tri, whether you have set a race date or not, you have entered into the train-race-repeat, train-race-repeat lifestyle, and are now a "triathlete". Congratulations!

hey Dirtbagfitness, you must be pretty humble, as a college swimmer you probably could whip most triathletes on this forum

I wouldn't say "whip" but, in my first tri I had a really strong showing on the swim leg. I was sixth out of the water and cruising (not bad for a newbie). But then reality came crashing in as all those people I beat out of the water came flying by me on the ride. As far as I can tell, coming to triathlons from a swim bacKground is unusual and that discipline is where most people struggle. Unfortunately for me, the swims in a sprint tri aren't long enough to gain a real significant lead.
Gotta get all the lead I can so all the cyclists need to ride harder to catch up (at least so it taKes them a little longer)!

...see here [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/rson-cra082410.php] for the great benefits of multi-sport training, triathlon style.

Super short version:
Triathlon training combines resistance & endurance training, thus making the heart muscles bigger and more efficient. This is compared to exclusive endurance training, which makes things bigger, but asymmetrically, and to exclusive resistance training, which makes the pumping efficient for short times at high exertion, but does little for other heart health.

Here's the proper link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/rson-cra082410.php

This doesn't say anything about those who train for triathlons are or are not "athletes".


Dr. Lell and colleagues conducted cardiac MRI on 26 professional male triathletes (mean age 27.9) and 27 male controls (mean age 27.3), who were recreationally active no more than three hours per week. Triathletes in the study were top national and international competitors with six or more years of continuous training. Triathlons are multi-sport events consisting of swimming, cycling and running various distances in succession.

So, wait. You compare the hearts of TOP National and International level triathletes with those of guys who are active "no more than three hours per week" and there is a difference? No way!

I do plenty of resistance training of not draining my savings account on a bicycle.


me too, also the resistance part comes in as not doing BEER curls and Hot Wing push-ups!

i'm training 6 days a week for a sprint dist. in March does that make me an athelete or is it because i've done some tri's!

no really i'm doing a half-marathon in march which is why i'm training 6 days a week, but I'm not a runner either!

what i'm saying is I'm confused and my OCD and my ADD or at a constant battle. Ewww look a shiny red ball.

Jetta, which half are you doing?

Quintilias half marathon ,wrightsville beach,nc

its a first ever for me & a warm up for the half ironman at White Lake,NC & Rev 3 Anderson,sc

still not convinced i wanna do Augusta 70.3 this year, last year the day of the race they droped Clydes and Athena classes and put them in age groups and anyone who finished after 14 hours said the got no finisher medals.:notamused: