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Swim V Bike V Run . . .

Of the three disciplines, whats peoples preference?

I came from a surfing background before Tri, so never had the fear of the swim, but now I feel that I am stronger and enjoy the bike the most. Still hate the run though.

Comments

  • jacjac Posts: 452
    The bike without a shadow of a doubt.
    Used to love running but the more I do the more twinges I get. Swimming is ok, but nothing does it for me more than some quality bike training.
  • jules653jules653 Posts: 11
    I am an awful swimmer but get the biggest kick out of it just because I couldn't swim at all 2 years ago. Open water swim training is also my favourite training session as it can be so peaceful and relaxing.

    Come from a running background so that is my second favourite, the bike still hurts my nether regions
  • JulesJules Posts: 987
    Bike.

    My swimming is a bit slow and running at the end is hard!
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    default to bike, i do more cycling than anything else (mainly as a result of commute). not sure that makes me any better a cyclist but it is the bit i find easiest to focus on and get motivated for.

    i've been swimming regularly for 6-7 years so my swimming is consistent and pretty reliable.

    i'm not much of a runner but the upside is that i am still seeing steady improvements in my running. i feel like i am making big progress whereas with the bike and swim it seems like tiny steps. downside is i am getting lots of niggles with my knees which i hope will settle down soon.

    last race i got discipline splits - swim was 108th, bike 33rd and run 62nd, overall 55th. for me, it's all about the bike!
  • Xyzee_ukXyzee_uk Posts: 100
    I agree with Ris. Cycle is my best - mostly due to commute.

    Have really improved my running and swimming not great.

    Split on my first tri at rother valley
    Swim - 70th (ish)
    Cycle - 32nd
    Run - 105th (ish)
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    To go against the flow here - Running. I was a runner I always enjoyed it, and i still do. I find that i can switch off and enjoy the feeling of it, if i switch off on the bike or swim i'd die - in both!

    Running also leaves me with more feeling of achievement - I can ride for an hour or two and work hard, feel great, but i run for 2 hours and it just feels amazing...i think i might be a little weird
  • huwdhuwd Posts: 228
    Swimming is heavily reliant on technique and running is hard on the body, I would guess about 90% would say the bike - myself included
  • BmanBman Posts: 442
    For me it depends what im doing. I dont mind the swim in general, but still want to get it over with, then on the bike im initially happy, but then my butt hurts and I want to get off and run. As soon as Im running, I want to get back on the bike and by the end Im so hot that I want a swim.
  • JonhinioJonhinio Posts: 289
    It's running for me, but the reason I started tri was to cross train as was getting too many running injuries. At present I'd say cycling was my strongest and that's not saying much
  • PC_67PC_67 Posts: 196
    Hmm, good question.

    I used to think that swimming was the “entry fee” or price I paid to take part in a great bike race, followed by a run.

    I’ve got better at swimming now and have to say I really enjoy the swim. I enjoy the physicality of the start, I enjoy changing pace, I enjoy trying to draft off other swimmers and all of that. I just love open water swimming. It’s so liberating.

    I’ve found the bike leg tough in my 2 races this year and have enjoyed it less than I used to.

    I’ve run lots this year, and for the first time I’ve trained in a structured way. I really enjoy run training - especially if I can find a route beside water - but less so run racing because it’s more of a slog after the bike.

    Analysing my times against the rest of the field (whole field, not my age group) in my 2 races this season my swim times have been in the top 50-60% range, bike top 50-55% range and run top 32-48% range. This suggests that I’m comparatively better at running.
  • i live beside the sea, and although normaly swimming should be my worst event constantly training in open water seems to give an advantage, always surprised how o/w swimming freaks people out.
    the bike is the strongest for me as was always into mountain bikes and am old enough to have had the original BMX's [go kouahara!] but this counts for nothing as i run like a bag of frogs!
  • BootooBootoo Posts: 29
    Its running for me too. I agree with md6. There is nothing harder or more satifying than a good run. I am not good at it but I feel all warm and fussy after it
    Biking is my strongest though and I really enjoy that. Swimming never really feels like exercise as I don't get hot and sweaty I got into tri as cross training for running due to injuries too.
  • mcnab_jnrmcnab_jnr Posts: 2
    Swimming and running are joint, running least favorite, but I love it all, pain runs through me
  • MowfMowf Posts: 272
    Annoyingly, running is my best event when fresh, but come tri time i prefer the swim... My shit bike usually puts paid to any hopes of a decent run.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    I used to be a good swimmer when I was younger but a car accident 20 years ago has left me with little strength in my left shoulder so now feature in bottom 3rd of all age groups (but getting better)

    Bike - hardly touched a bike (in fact not for about 40 years) until my first tri 3 years ago, tend to place about my overall position which is about middle 3rd of all age groups.

    Run - top 3rd of all age groups.
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    Bootoo wrote:
    Swimming never really feels like exercise as I don't get hot and sweaty
    i find there's nothing quite like working up a set in the pool and building the speed up to almost bursting point, or having a lap target you are chasing like a madman. the worn-out feeling i can get from swimming is like nothing else - my body feels loose but the muscles are warm and i'm hanging on by a thread to not flop over.

    if i did that in a run or bike i think i'd feel beaten up.
  • JessterJesster Posts: 482
    Okay so here goes....

    I HATE BLOODY CYCLING!

    There, I said it. i dont mind it when i'm racing but i hate going out on it on my own for miles and miles. dont enjoy it one bit, have to drag myself on to it after a firm talking to. i enjoy myself when i'm with someone but it seems so pointless otherwise. I'd quite enjoy a commute because theres a REASON to do it. But I live where I work! Aaarghh!the nearest club is a 50 mile round trip. At 7am on a sunday? for something i dont really like? Pfft!

    This is why my bike leg suffers of course. And I enjoy running because it's time well spent with the dog.

    I LOVE swimming and always in the top handful of every race.

    Maybe i should just do OW swims.....Hmmmmmm.......tempting!

    Am I alone in the bike thing? I am, aren't I?!!
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    jesster, you like swimming because you are part dolphin. what is it? 21mins for 1500? crikey.

    and the reason you don't get on with cycling is because shimano haven't yet done a flippers to pedals attachment that really works - when they do you'll be flying.

    could you walk the dog while on the bike? pooch might have to break a sweat to keep up, but they'll get the hang eventually.
  • JessterJesster Posts: 482
    lol Ris, you make me roar
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