Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Are you in The Black Hole of training?

As a result of my purchase of a bike trainer from Nashbar back in September, I received a one-year subscription to Outside Magazine. I really enjoy the magazine, and though they'll only have an occasional reference to triathlons, I still enjoy a lot of its content and features.

One particular story got my attention.

In this particular issue - which features an always stunning James Franco on the cover - this feature tells the story of Norwegian rower Olaf Tufte as it relates to what is named in the article as The Black Hole.

The premise behind the story, as can be found in its caption, is this: "Middle-of-the-dial efforts produce middle-of-the-pack results."

I'm a complete back-of-the-packer to sometimes middle-of-the-packer ... depending on who shows up on race day. Speed has not been a big priority to me - yet; my focus has been on distance.

Check out the story.  Do you agree with the premise? Do you have any personal experience? I'm really curious.

2 comments:

Big Daddy Diesel said...

This is a two fold question, and I have 2 theories on it.

First theory, is that it takes 3-4 seasons to solidly get a firm base for the sport, the thing about triathletes, first season they want to do a sprint, and I have seen way too often the next words out of their mouth is I want to do an Ironman. so succeed at it, most dont and either get worn out or injuried and leave the sport. But if you follow a natural progression chart, 1st season sprints, 2nd season olys, 3rd HIM's, 4th IM, then you are spending every season building your base and not your speed.

I believe everyone has their "distance", I certainly dont believe that everyone should do an Ironman to be called a triathlete, once you cross a finishline at any race, your a triathlete. I like oly distance, and thats what I really like to race at, once you find your distance that you really like to race, then you can work on your speed, knowing the distance base is there, now just have to work on getting faster at that distance. I did intervals all last season, and it paid off in races.

Once you pick your favorite distance to race in, you will find your speed.

Thats just my opinion

Lora Abernathy said...

I agree. That's why I'm not fast at this point; it's been about building a nice base. Form then distance then speed.

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