<\/p>
While triathlon is an endurance sport requiring high values of maximal (VO2max<\/a>) and sub-maximal (lactate\/anaerobic threshold<\/a>, LT\/AT) aerobic fitness, it\u2019s often assumed that triathlete\u2019s possess lower values to those of single-discipline athletes.<\/strong><\/p>\n But in contrast to this believed wisdom, research has demonstrated that triathletes (particularly at the elite end of the spectrum) possess similar maximal and submaximal values to those of single-sport athletes.<\/p>\n Accordingly, despite the division of training to accommodate three disciplines, triathletes obtain similar maximal and sub-maximal physiological indices of performance as single-sport athletes. To that end, from a physiological perspective, it makes sense that triathletes can, and should, train with single-sport athletes.<\/p>\n Furthermore, single-sport squad training offers a number of training benefits that will enhance overall quality of training for triathletes. Training with single-sport athletes who are superior in their chosen discipline, for example, provides a significant technical and tactical advantage over training alone.<\/p>\n Importantly, a squad environment \u2013 whether a tri or single-sport one \u2013 also keeps you honest in training. This quality-control mechanism ensures that you deliver to target during every training session, rather than dictating training quality based on your own bias.<\/p>\n Training alone can all too often make it much easier to work too hard or take it easy irrespective of the target of the session; a problem that\u2019s far less likely to occur in a squad setting. In addition to enhanced training quality, the social interaction and support provided by squad training is invaluable, particularly during the long, dark, cold, wet winter months.<\/p>\n In my opinion, it\u2019s actually the social support of squad membership that is fundamental to high-quality training and should be at the top of the agenda for all triathletes. So, why is it that so many triathletes train alone?<\/p>\n There are several reasons, but one of the most common is time constraints and the fixed timings of squad sessions. But, given the above importance of squad training, a triathlete\u2019s training programme should be designed in such a way as to accommodate as many squad sessions as possible.<\/p>\nShould triathletes train with single-sport athletes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The drawbacks of training alone<\/strong><\/h2>\n