rumpole

One of my high school buddies talked me into doing an olympic distance in September. I have done a sprint several years ago, which I viewed as more of an experiment. Although I trained for it, it wasn't the kind of event where I feared for my survival. I also don't like running (but really enjoy biking and swimming). (The runner's high is propaganda).

During the summer, my long weekend rides routinely creep into the 60 mile plus range. My plan is to focus on swimming (which is really weak but enjoyable at least) and biking (which I really enjoy). How long can I put off the running, and how much will the cycling training carry over benefit me in training for the run? (I want to put off those bike/run bricks for as long as possible).

cjbruin

Sorry, you gotta run. There's no substitute for it when training. It's also my weakest of the three.

caelric

If you want to have a nice, enjoyable first 2/3rds of your tri, and then a completely and utterly miserable last third (the run), go ahead and keep doing that.

On the other hand, if you want to have a good time, and a get a good time, you need to run just as much, if not more, than you swim. The cycling training will help build some of the cardio base, but the running muscles are much different than the biking muscles. You need to spend a good bit of time running.