Long-Course Running Is About Race Execution First, Fitness Second
There is no doubt that long-course triathletes are very fit people. They swim, bike, and run a LOT, and they are doing a LOT of brick runs. But the vast majority of long-course triathletes are under-performing—running slower than their potential—on race day.
Failure to run to your potential on race day is a race execution issue. This happens when you either ride or run too hard, especially in the early stages of each leg.
Running off the Bike is an Issue of Skill
As a triathlete fit enough to ride and run, you have no issue getting off of your bike and actually running. The challenge lies in being able to synchronize how hard you are working (input) with how fast you are actually running (output). One brick run where you realize that your actual pace is significantly faster than your perceived pace is enough to drive home the lesson.
For most, the initial adjustment from bike to run is about finding your running stride. Learning how to get from the funny post-bike leg feeling to a smooth running stride is an individual process that, once learned, is effectively ingrained in your brain.
