Making Your Weakness Your Strength

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Its never enjoyable to do something your not really good at.  When it comes to triathlons most people have one discipline they are not that good at.  Some people have one discipline that they really hate and are horrible at.  Most times people have one discipline they are really good at and they do that one more than any of the others.  Unfortunately most people don't do enough of the sport that they are really bad at.  I find this especially true of the people who are horrible in the pool.  If you are a really bad swimmer one thing (other than getting a coach) that will make you better is to swim more.  I usually suggest people get in the pool 4-5 days a week for 20-60 minutes if they need a lot of help and the same is true for the bike.  If you want to become stronger on the bike then I would suggest you bike more.  If you are thinking about doing a triathlon this year and you are really bad at one of the disciplines then take time to master it.  Set aside a block of training that focuses on that one area.  This is not to say you will not do anything else.  You will still do workouts in all three sports just do less of the other two.  If you are doing 3 times a week of each sport then in a sport specific block you might do 4-5 times a week on your weakness and 2 times a week on the other sports.  You could do this for a month depending on how close to your race you are or i
f you have enough time you could do it a little longer.  Another important part of mastering your weakness is to continue to do it all year long.  People who hate to swim or are really bad at it usually don't swim in the off season or winter months.  This is the worst thing you can do if you want to become a better swimmer.  I don't take any time off from swimming, biking or running as long as I am not injured.  I hate biking but I still bike in the off season.  It is something you have to do if you want to become a better triathlete.  Who knows maybe you will eventually love your weakness and it will become your best event of the three!

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