I was thinking back over the past few years as to what caused the improvement in my performance. Not just in triathlons (although that was a major concern), but in running and cycling individually. It has to be group training. And by that I mean training with a group filled with people who are stronger, faster, and better than you.
I was a strong middle of the pack finisher a few years ago. I was doing well, and training with some folks from the Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club. It was a great group - it was the first running club that my wife and I joined when we moved to the Northeast. We wanted to find people who we could run with during the week and for long runs on weekends. As I had been training on my own up until then I improved quickly as I now ran with people who were faster than I. This improved my performance and I became a stronger runner, thanks in large part to Joe G who introduced me to the pain and joy of hitting the track for speed-work.The same is true of my cycling. There were a few cyclists and triathletes in the club, but not many, and my cycling improved as I rode with people who were, again, stronger than I on the bike and I learned what I could from them while I was chasing them down during our morning rides.
At some point my performance leveled off. I knew it had....I knew I was capable of more.....and I knew that I wanted to perform better. I worked harder on my own and at one sprint triathlon a few years ago placed 3rd in my AG. Without boring you with a lot of minutiae and drama, it was apparent that it was time to move on and find another group to train with.
I had been invited a few times during these past few years to join my friend Rich on a group ride with the triathlon club he founded. The men and women of the Westchester Triathlon Club were Ironmen. And I don't say that just to add emphasis in a gratuitous fashion. I mean it literally. Every year a handful from this great group of athletes qualifies for Kona. Race after race (Olympic distance, 70.3, full Ironman) there are people placing, and winning, their age group. Needless to say I was terrified to join them and gave Rich excuse after excuse as to why I was unable to join them.
My wife finally convinced me to join them for a Saturday ride. So I sucked it up, filled two water bottles with Hammer Heed, threw a gel or two in my jersey pocket and clipped in for a leg burning, lung draining, bonk inducing, 3 hour tour.
Group rides pushed me to limits I didn't know existed. Group runs, and speed work, challenged me to the point where I thought I was going to puke. But I couldn't let them know that I was hurting (although I'm sure it was apparent during the first few months) and I had to finish the ride or run with the pack. Falling off the back and slowing down wasn't an option. Just as it was with Joe G when I first did speed-work, I knew that if I could keep up and push myself it would pay off.
It wasn't long after joining the WTC that I began stalking the AG podium on a regular basis.
Many of us who started out at Sound Shore Multisport have moved on to other running and triathlon clubs. But I'll never forget the friendships and lessons learned. I still train with a few folks from there now and again, and that's something for another post.