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WHY TRI? AN AMATUERS PERSPECTIVE
Training for a triathlon is a lot better for your body then a single sport.
by
Ron Shea
Indeed, a good question. I feel that training for a triathlon is a lot better for your body then a single sport...here is my
rationale: running tones your legs and belly, burns a lot of calories and is great for your circulatory system.
Swimming concentrates on toning your upper body, working your chest, shoulders
and back. Swimming also greatly increases your lung capacity and helps circulation, surprisingly
just as much as running. Biking builds and defines your legs - letting your quads really show. My opinion is that a triathlon IS SOOOO MUCH BETTER
than concentrating on only one event, over working only a few muscle groups
and joints. I
have seen too many long distance runners who look horrible, like skeletons -
very unhealthy to me. I was breezing through a biker mag and yes, they do
have impressive legs BUT their entire upper-body was underdeveloped, undefined and very
skinny. Swimming is a great all-around sport but I think it does not do
justice for ones legs. This is my opinion and I am not trying to step on
peoples toes, just my personal opinion. Why brutalize your body
by focusing on only one sport? By training for triathlons you will be
evenly distributing all of that stress from a few locations to your whole
body. This way, as a whole, your body is not stressed but happy.
Happy bodies are good.
On another
note, cross training will greatly minimize injuries. Let's
just say for instance that you are now just a serious, pure
runner. You undoubtedly know from experience that once you
creep up to a certain amount of miles each week the injuries will
be coming on fast. You are focusing so much energy on just
certain joints and muscles that you will always have them near the
breaking point. You do want to increase your training level
with a minimal risk to injury...what should you do? Train
for triathlons of course!!! Avoid the injuries through
overuse. I bet you might find your running improves too.
Also,
consider that you are currently overweight and want to get back into
shape. Running is obviously the sport of choice to increase
endurance and burn calories fast. BUT being overweight, pure
running initially will put too much strain on the joints - you might get
injured before you even get through your first month! Starting
with swimming, biking, weights and a good diet would get you up to
that endurance level without the added pounds to start running safely.
Me? I have no idea why I chose to do one. I first was in my
company's corporate challenge. Friday night I swam relays, Saturday I
biked 10k and Sunday I ran 5k. It was cool. Obviously the next step
was to put them all together for the following summer.
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