Are we all just drinking the triathlon Kool-Aid or is there actual science behind how these athletes can excel in three vastly different disciplines, and more importantly, does it really translate to improved overall athletic ability. I mean, lets be real, anyone can put in the time and effort to become decent at swimming, biking, and running, but to actually be good at all three. Thats a different story.
Ive seen some of these triathletes cross over into single-discipline sports and get absolutely smoked by athletes who specialize in that one area. So, whats the real benefit of all this varied training. Is it just about being a jack-of-all-trades, master of none, or is there something more to it.
Im not buying the whole well-rounded athlete argument. I think thats just a nice way of saying youre not good enough to compete at the top level in any one sport. And dont even get me started on the whole mental toughness thing. I mean, if you cant handle the mental demands of a single 5-hour bike ride, how are you going to handle the pressure of a triathlon.
So, Im asking, whats the real advantage of triathlon training. Is it just about being able to say youre a triathlete, or is there actual science behind it. And if so, can someone please explain it to me in a way that doesnt involve a bunch of fluffy, feel-good nonsense.