Yesterday’s weather seemed to be as close to perfect as possible so maybe the time will stand for a while
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Considering how many of them were so much faster than previous years, and that Gustav only won by couple of minutes then it does suggest largely conditions +/- equipment gains over the 3 years.
Rather than they’ve all suddenly discovered a new drug that’s transforming the field.
The only reason I’d have to think MA times shouldn’t be well beaten 30 years on would be if he was a known massive doper like some of the women’s records that have stuck.
Coincidentally, he made a huge improvement in times once EPO was invented from 1989 onwards… . That’s completely baseless and not really an accusation, but more saying you can find anything suspicious if you look for it. Think there’s enough from the depth of 2022 to sat least say doping is either minimal effect, or completely rife and they’re all doing it.
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Allen only improved his Kona time by 2 mins over the next 6 years. His best time was 8:07.
The men’s Kona course record has tumbled, and been broken every year since Lange won in 2017 with 8:01. Then broken in 2018, 19 & 22. I think there have been some float weather days, plus moto assistance and bike tech. Stadler’s bike record stood for 11 years iirc.
From memory, the CR went:
8:07 Allen in 93.
8:04 LvL in 96.
8:03 Crowie in 11.
8:01 Lange in 17.
…and every year since.
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My point above really, is that whilst TEN guys went sub 8 yesterday, that doesn’t make them better athletes than previous winners who were 8:xx
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I’m happy to agree with that. What I was trying to say is just because Iden probably isn’t 30 minutes better than Allen like-for-like, doesn’t mean it’s automatically suspicious for doping.
Sub 7 showed what’s possible with bike drafting, so I think it’s feasible TV motos, technology, some better awareness of training/nutrition etc all could explain.
Thought - is there better strength in depth now that it’s a bigger sport? Would mean bigger front bike packs to work together as well.
His “this is too hard””, I’m not coming back” speech was funny the first time, not sure I believed it as his Kona victory speech though
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Absolutely. I remember seeing a thing that if you put Jesse Owens on a modern track instead of cinder, modern spikes, etc. he would be competitive in modern sprinting. Get him ‘prepared’ in current ways and I am sure he would be contending for medals.
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Anyone who was top of their game “in the day” would be good now. They were the best as they could adapt to anything and they’d adapt to modern pressures also.
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We get this all the time in the boxing forum world.
After hours and hours of arguments for and against the greats of the past against todays superstars the conclusion most people come to is … we will never know.
Rocky Marciano was 5ft 11 and weighed 14 stone he would make cruiser in todays world, chances v Fury who is knocking on fur a foot taller and 5 stones heavier but I digress.
Put a prime Allen in the best swim skin coached by the best swim coach, onto the best bike we have today, is that Cadex thing faster than the others, better wheels, tyres, suit, helmet, pro bike fit… in a tunnel, built in spares and nutrition on a float day then on to the run with better nutrition and carbon shoes, obviously this would be after months of optimal training looking at diet, sleep, hrv, lactic work, periodisation etc etc, we had all this back then but I’ve no doubt understand it better today.
That’s why I said tight for me, sub 8 was always the thing I really do think someone will push a 7:3… something in the next few years
interesting comment on FB from Steve Trew on a photo of the GB squad for the ITU World Champs in Manchester 1993
“Middle row, far left, one Richard Laidlow. Also on junior team at this time, Dan Plews.
Now fast forward to present day, having a quick check on Ironman… 1st lady, Chelsea Sodaro coached by Dan Plews.
And the men’s race, 2nd man Sam Laidlow coached by, and son of, Richard Laidlow.
Pretty bloody impressive, say I!
And much, much respect to both athletes and coaches.”
won’t post the photo as that’s Steve’s property but also in the squad - Robin Brew, Simon Lessing, Iain Hamilton (of Outlaw fame), Glenn Cook and Sarah Coope, Spencer Smith etc.
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clearly not 
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Those two norgies are all over that, in all honesty I’m assuming that everyone’s clean in all my posts, past and present other wise it just makes it impossible to compare.
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Was just looking at the Women’s results again.
LCB 2nd, Langridge 6th, Siddall 10th, Cheetham 11th, Astle 14th and Kat who would’ve been a pre race fave obviously unable to compete.
Then you go over to ITU and look at GTB, Learmonth etc etc. UK Women’s tri is booming!!! Don’t know about you, but i still feel like the media pulls everything back to the Brownlees still though. Don’t get me wrong, they changed the landscape of the sport in the eyes of the UK public/charity work etc, but there should be much more celebration of these ladies at the moment!
With Alex in ITU and Skipper in LD, there should be plenty more podiums/wins on the men’s side too, though some more depth is needed with the chaps.
What happened to George Goodwin. He was having some great breakthrough performances during Covid, but seems to have gone off the radar now.
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I was being a dick, its not lactic, its lactate
but apparently so, they are testing during sessions to keep them honest which is apparently their “golden bullet” I’m not convinced it will be that important, might help if they are looking to maximise staying just under LT2 regardless at any single point in time (FTP / LT2, even if worked out using proper testing, at a given point may be different 2 days later if going by a strict power number)
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The women have been strong and somewhat overlooked for a while outside of Chrissy.
Rachel Joyce, Bella, Leanna, Cat…
Non, Vikki, Jenkins
Probably forgot loads as well
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Yeah good point!
the GB girls are doing extremely well and there are others coming through the WT ranks that could do well in the future (Kate Waugh for one). On the men’s side not so good as outside Yee and Brownlee we have less talent although young Dan Dixon is showing promise and we had a GB winner yesterday at a ETU Cup in Ceuta (Hugo Milner). On both sides juniors did well in European Youth Champs with a 2nd in men’s, 2nd & 3rd in ladies and 2nd in mixed relay.
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I’m assuming those arm things they wear are for this?
My weight lifting friends refer to lactic acid build up a lot I’m sure I’ve read that it’s not actually correct?!
It’s clearly working whatever they do, there obviously both very talented and train to get the best out of themselves the rest of it does come across as smoke and mirrors at times.
yes, the depth of field was the best i’ve seen, combined with them all pretty much racing if not necessarily to plan, but certainly within themselves…
it was as good a race as i seem to remember for a long time…
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that was one damn good squad…
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