Published June 25, 2009 07:43AM
Written by: Mark Allen
Over the next few days Mark Allen will explain the best way to balance the task of maintaining a high level at your strongest sport, while also improving in your weaker sports. In this edition, Allen explains why you should strengthen the muscles that are used most in your weakest sport.
Overcoming a sport weakness is sometimes as simple as just strengthening the muscles that are used most in your weakest discipline. If your weak discipline is swimming, you should work your lats, traps and triceps. For biking, some good quad work should do the trick. And for running, you should work your hamstrings and calves, and for longer races your quads are also important.
The one area that is used in all three sports, if your speed and power are generated correctly, is your core. Abdominal work and other core and balance work will really go a long way toward helping you find new speed in the same old body.
Next up, Allen explains how focusing on your core can improve your performance in all three sports.
Mark Allen is the six-time winner of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii and is available for speaking engagements worldwide. For further information about Mark’s speaking availability, please call 1-800-994-5306. Based in Santa Cruz, Calif., Mark has a state-of-the-art online triathlon-training program at www.markallenonline.com. In addition, Mark co-teaches a workshop titled Fit Soul, Fit Body with Brant Secunda, a shaman, healer and ceremonial leader in the Huichol Indian tradition. They have recently released a book by this same name that you can find at bookstores near you or on Amazon.com (Fit Soul, Fit Body-9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You).