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Fitting vacation into an IM training schedule??

Bob IrwinBob Irwin
in General Training Discussions

It's getting difficult to fit a vacation around my IM training.  I'm scheduled to do Vineman full the last weekend in July.   A family member is having a medical procedure shortly after the race, and my grandson goes back to school the third week in August.  So I really only have two options.  Find a later season race, or take a 10 day vacation during taper.  I thought that I'd ask the team if anyone had tried taking vacation during taper.  I could fit in most if not all of the run workouts.  I could maybe take my bike and do a bike or two.  But I wouldn't be able to stick to the plan.  I'd clearly have to watch what I ate, but I'd have to do that anyway during taper.  So maybe it would work pretty well.  Thoughts??  If I'm lucky enough to win a Kona lottery slot this year, it would simplify things greatly. 

Comments

  • cam2wincam2win

     Bob,

    I am not sure when you are looking to take a vacation, but here would be some thoughts.  Can you go about 8-10 weeks before the race?  This would give you some down time right before you knock out your last big block of training.  I had an old coach who did this one time and it helped him KQ at Ironman Canada one year.

    This next year I am racing Ironman Wisconsin, I am also taking my wife to Italy for 10 days.  Here is how I am laying out my racing calendar.

    April Ironman NOLA 70.3

    May Kansas City Triathlon

    June Ironman Kansas 70.3-the week after that race, we leave for Italy.

    July EN Madison Camp

    August Train & race

    Sept. Ironman Wisconsin.

     

    My thought for you would be go on vacation in late May or early in June or right after you race Vineman.

  • Bob IrwinBob Irwin

    Jason

    No I really can't take the vacation before the final six weeks of the plan, and we can't go after the race.  All due to school, etc.  My only options are to pick a different race or take the vacation during my final 6 weeks.  The only thing I could come up with was to go during taper.  Too bad I didn't know about some of the family committments before I scheduled the race.  

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    That is what I do on all my tri-cations! Typically right before a race, and after a race if I'm lucky. Next up is a run-cation during my daughter's spring break. Going to Atlanta to run a 1/2M and doing the World of Coke, Atlanta Aquarium, Underground, etc in the days before the race. That's easy. Next big tri-cation is Ironman Sweden. It is a Saturday race and I need to go back to Copehagen Sunday and fly back to the States Monday so my daughter can start 9th grade (High School) on Tuesday ... which is the first day of school. That is a huge event for her. So we'll be vacationing in Copenhagen and Kalmar beforehand and I'll be using a 7 day drop taper to minimize my training schedule. I try to get the major walking tours early in the week, take ride tours as much as possible and shut it down the last 1 and 1/2 days. I'm sure I would perform better if I didn't sight see during my taper weeks, but then again what is the point of going to wonderful destination races if you don't see anything? I get the best of both worlds and the family is happy.
  • cgres123cgres123
    My vote is find a later race. You may be able to pull off a 10 day vacation in your head, I know I couldn't as I would feel untrained. Most of that is in my head I know as your fitness level would not drop off but I like having a routine.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I took a 10-day trip to China for work in the lead up to my A-race (HIM Kansas) last year. It was not during the taper but rather right before the taper. I could not bike so I did 2 big bike workouts the day before and the morning of my flight out of town, and got on the bike the day I returned (that day was RR#2, and I added a bike the next day instead of taking it off). I was able to fit in two swims by researching and identifying two public 25m pools. And I ran a bit more than the plan called for...almost every day in fact. I think the big problem for you doing this in the taper is watching weight gain on a vacation where you really ought to enjoy yourself and the social aspect of fine meals.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Vacation > Triathlon (Even Racing). There will always be another tri. So I say we fudge your taper and deal!!!!
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