Turning Weaknesses into Strengths

We generally know what we're good at and what we're not-so-good at.  And, being humans, we tend to gravitate towards our strengths because they make us feel confident and good about ourselves.  We avoid our weaknesses because, let's face it, it's no fun doing something you suck at.

I'm taking this opportunity training for the Half-Ironman to critically assess my past triathlon performances.  In comparison to my fellow competitors, they pretty much boil down like this:

• Swim:  Mediocre
• Bike:  Weak
• Run:  Strong

My thoughts going into a sprint-distance triathlon (generally a 500-800 yard swim, 10-20 mile bike, and 5K run) are that I'll smoke anyone who passes me on the bike during the run.  However, in a longer-distance race -- and especially a Half-Ironman -- it is nearly impossible to make up the time you will lose over a 56-mile bike ride during a 13.1-mile run.

So, I needed to turn towards my weak points and come up with a plan to bring them up.  For my bike (my weakest area), in addition to my training rides, I've made it a 2012 goal to bike anywhere I possibly can, including work, errands, and school.  With the following guidelines, of course:

1. I need to be able to get there in a reasonable amount of time (i.e. if I am rushed or the distance is just too far, I'll drive).
2. The weather has to be safe.
3. It has to make sense in terms of my training for that day (i.e. no 3-hour training rides right after a 1-hour ride into town).

Not only is this strategy proving effective, but I'm experiencing the added benefit of cutting my gas costs down by an obscene amount.  Saving money AND getting faster on my bike each week rocks!

As for the swim, since it's not my priority, I've taken a slightly less aggressive approach by turning one of my swim workouts into a shorter interval workout.  This lets me practice going at faster speeds.  And again, I'm noticing changes in my long, easy swim workouts too.

It looks like focusing on my weaknesses, rather than avoiding them or trying to compensate for them, is paying off.  What about you?  What are your weaknesses?  How can you turn them into strengths?  Think about this and make it a goal.  It'll take some hard work, but trust me, the rewards feel so much better than when things come easily.

Happy training.