How close is too close for races?
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RV posted 2 years ago.
What are the goals for these races. Either an 'A' race? Racing to compete or to finish? Guessing that the HIM is the main event then I would do the Oly just as a training day. Meaning not "racing" it but putting in a steady effort, then ya there is enough time. Your base fitness level also comes into play.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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1718 days
beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
I agree. If the 1/2 IM is your 'A' race, 3 weeks is long enough of a recovery for the Oly if you don't blow yourself up.
It is a great distance to use as a hard training day to prep for the 1/2 IM
Nothing to it, but to do it
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1466 days
kona_expat posted 2 years ago.
3 weeks before an "A" 1/2 IM is a good time to do a 1/2 IM race rehearsal, where you ride 56 miles and run 5-6 off the bike. Bike setup, clothes, pacing is what you plan to do in the race, and then you use the run to well, find your pace.
If this is your first 1/2 IM, you are better off doing the race rehearsal rather than an Oly race that close. If it were me, 3 weeks before a 1/2 IM I would be going my last long ride of perhaps 4 hours with at least 1.5 hours of it at HIM watts/pacing (not all at once, though), and I would have done my last long run of 1:30-2:00 a few days before the long ride.
If you haven't done an Oly either, then I'd suggest doing it in training during one of your "rest" weeks at least 8 weeks out from your 1/2 IM. Just do it from home! I do close to Oly-distance workouts regularly in training for IM, and it won't compromise your recovery too much. Try and do it mid-week so you can take a day off afterwards and get back on your longer stuff for the weekend. Set up your transition areas and everything. If you're really worried about recovery, keep the ride to 25 miles and only run maybe 4. Good workout, good confidence builder.
YMMV
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773 days
BigTom05 posted 2 years ago.
Thanks for the input, guys. The half iron is definitely my A race and the Oly would only be a warmup. Kona, I appreciate the advice on the race rehearsal. I'll definitely keep that in mind during my preparation. One more question. After that race rehearsal, whether it be an Oly or a half IM length brick, how should I train during those last three weeks leading up to the IM? I know I'll be a bit nervous going into my first half IM which may cause me to overtrain those last three weeks. How much should I scale my intensity down?
2937
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1359 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
The point in your taper is not to scale down your intensity,but to scale back on the volume. Read any training plan and you'll see the volume decreasing but the speed remaining.
Using hours as a mark the last three weeks before an HIM might look like 12 hours, 8 hours, and 3 hours. Shorter workouts,more rest days but keeping short intense workouts in all three areas.
I suggest "Training Plans for Multisport Athletes" by Gale Bernhardt as a good starting reference.
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I'll be doing my first half ironman next year on May 5th in Napa, but I'd like to get an Olympic in beforehand. The earliest Olympic race in my area that I could find is on April 14th. Is three weeks enough time to recover from an olympic in preparation for a half iron?