Which Leg of a Tri Is Most Important?

Last night, the DH and I had a conversation about our training and tri's (we're both sorta tri fanatics). We debriefed our past races and it all led me to to re-think the Age Old Triathlon Question: Which leg of a triathlon wins the race? 

It's always a toss up between the bike and the run. A few years back when Normann Stadler won Hawaii it was proclaimed a strong bike wins the race. But for the past two years Craig Alexander comes through with a smokin' run and it's now all about the run.

And on the ladies side, well currently, Chrissie Wellington just is so smokin' fast on the bike and the run, she's wins no matter how ya look at it.

But I'm not Chrissie, nor am I Craig or Norman. And last I checked I ain't racin' any Ironmans either. But my answer to this question has changed through out my triathlon 'career'.

When I first started in the tri world, my bike was the strongest, my run second, and WAY, WAY down the line was my swim. And without any training, I'd do okay as a weekend warrior (finish in the mid pack at the sprint distance). Then when I actually began to train,  I experienced my run to be just as important as the bike. 

And now today, for ME...my bike is strong, but it's all about the run. Because at the end of the day, if I blow up my legs on the bike and have nothing left for the run...I'm screwed.  And for my swim? Well, I agree with this: You can't win the race on your swim, but you can loose it on your swim. 

SO spankin' true! You need SOME sort of swim. You can't finish in the mid/late pack of the group to be a contender. At least that's what I've seen, and that's what I've experienced. 

So that's my fifty two cents. Now...I'm SO curious as to what you think? Tell me, Which Leg of a Tri Wins the Race? 

Also, Last day to enter the Sa-weet Sugoi Running Skirt/Short Giveaway!