Lance and triathlon

[Cloxxki]

Contrary to popular belief, and very sadly so, controlled low dose EPO and occasional steroid use for recovery is not that dangerous, even longer term. The other **** like HGH etc is quite a different story. And the problem is that there are few users that start on the stuff who don't want to test the upper limits to squeeze out more performance. And that's where the health problems occur.

Triathlon swimming is the most technical of the 3 disciplines, and time lost there easier to pick up later. Doping would have the least impact on the swim, the most on the bike. Good long term cyclists who haven't kept up a running base always struggle. It takes many years of hard labor to become a fast triathlon runner. Hence Lance struggling there I guess.

I am not an expert trainer, but I could shed loads of time off Lance's run times if he'd be open for it. And if I cared for it. It's not like i have to watch him run. He's not even trying. Telling folks like Ullrich they're lazy and fat (pot calling kettle), advanced Carmichael intervals (uhuh), but not fix his running form. Perhaps his calfs are messed up short and stiff from all the crazy hard biking?

 

[Tinman]

Marathons around 2:50 as a rule post pro cycling, I think 2:46 was the best. Chris McCormack ran a best 2:42 off the bike at Hawaii IM (!) He does all three sports exceptionally well. Now Lance beats a Macca race record over the half distance after just a couple of years of resumed triathlon training. Is this a training effect or an outside effect?

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that Lance would be doing it doped. No reason for him not to in unsanctioned events, and indeed the performances suggest it. Those run times (2.46?) are definitely NN for a guy with his running physique and background.

My understanding is that the (Kona) run split record is still with Mark Allen? He was amazing, and even his (Kona) bike split on a relatively non-aerobic bike stood until recently. One has to doubt by the way whether guys like Macca would be competing clean. Oversight is currently much less in the tri scene, and a one day event much easier to "prep" for than a GT.

 

[kurtinsc]

My point was that w/o juice he really is a mediocre swimmer. He has no business staying with the best.

I'd say that stroke wise he's as good as most triathletes who don't have a swimming background. He's not going to beat Andy Potts in the water (a former US national swim team member who now does triathlons), but his stroke is pretty solid.

Most of the analysis done on him is from open water video without a wetsuit.

As someone who DOES have a deep swimming background, I can tell you that it makes a difference. Open water swims without a wetsuit are DIFFICULT to keep your stroke where it should be... while swimming with a wetsuit or in a pool makes it easy. And it isn't a matter of fatigue... just swimming in choppy water without the bouyancy a wetsuit provides causes your body to make adjustments to keep the head and upper body in the correct position... mostly by causing a scissoring in the legs, changes from optimal breathing patterns and at times an alteration in arm stroke.

Open water swimming simply leads to a much less polished stroke for almost everyone.

 

[FitSsikS]

I'm going to suggest that he switch to 'Triathong' races.