Consumers of popular athletic information sources are bombarded with this or that great workout. Headlines shout about doing such and such on your next swim, bike, or run to improve your something or other. These days, there is new variation on this idea, a unique, break-through gadget that will make you perform like a pro. Trackers for everything from sleep to breathing to hydration, and everything in between.
Most likely you will never get the chance to talk with a pro, but you can find quite a few being interviewed on podcasts. Two themes turn up when I listen to them. Basics, and preparation. There are no secrets. No miracle workouts. No silver bullets.
The work that needs to be done in order to have a successful race is well known. Coaches do not all agree on the ideal swim form, bike position, or whether or not to change a runner’s stride. They have different systems, different terminology, and often different goals. But underneath, it all comes down to a few simple principles. The most important is this: to bring out the optimal movement an individual is capable of.
All of that work can be undone by poor preparation. Good preparation requires planning. What is the course like? What kind of weather needs to be considered? What will the nutritional requirements be, and how will they be met? Race day is not the time for winging it.
Fancy goggles will not save a poorly executed swim. The slipperiest aero bike available will not make up for a lack of form. Super shoes are no help if your legs are already shot. Do the work, and do the preparation. There is no silver bullet.