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How soon to race after IM?

Dawn CassDawn Cass
in Coaching Forum 🧢
Hello,

I will be competing in IM Madison next weekend and considering I get through it injury free, I would like to race a 70.3 a month later (Rev 3 in Maryland). Can you give me some advise if this is advisable...ie, does that give my body enough time to recover?

Thanks for thoughts!

Dawn

Comments

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Dawn - I think it is personal. Some can recover in as little as a week, but you should plan on 2 to 3. You will have the fitness to come back for a 70.3 but perhaps not the speed you want.
  • trisumaitrisumai
    It took me 3 weeks to recover from all my aches ie patello-femoral pain. After that I had endurance but lost a whole ot of speed. Just make sure it doesn't deep six your 2014 season if you have any naggin injuries.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Dawn Cass on 01 Sep 2013 02:44 PM


    Hello,



    I will be competing in IM Madison next weekend and considering I get through it injury free, I would like to race a 70.3 a month later (Rev 3 in Maryland). Can you give me some advise if this is advisable...ie, does that give my body enough time to recover?



    Thanks for thoughts!



    Dawn

    You'll be recovered, you "can" race it, but you will have lost a good deal of fitness by then so it's important to have realistic expectations. More importantly, training and racing an IM takes a lot of out of you and very, very few people are able to get their heads and motivation back in gear so soon after a race. 

  • Dawn CassDawn Cass
    Thanks all - let me ask the question a different way as well..what is the recommended amount of time to wait/recover between IM race and a half IM? HIM is second priority however would be nice to take advantage of the training you have done over the year for something after the A race.

    Thoughts?
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Dawn Cass on 03 Sep 2013 09:36 PM


    Thanks all - let me ask the question a different way as well..what is the recommended amount of time to wait/recover between IM race and a half IM? HIM is second priority however would be nice to take advantage of the training you have done over the year for something after the A race.



    Thoughts?

    Dawn,

    Great meeting you this weekend! Think of it as a range:

    • 1-2wks post IM: your race will suck 
    • 3wks -- bare minimum but you'll be very, very flat
    • 4wks -- you likely will no longer feel the effects of the IM but you will have lost a good deal of fitness through your recovery
    • 5-6wks -- you'll have recovered and had a couple weeks to get some fitness back.
    • 6-8wks -- same as the previous bullet but with more time to get your fitness back. 
  • Dawn CassDawn Cass

    Hello Rich - 

    Great to meet you as well...it was a fantastic event and thanks for the season's training.

    The above is a great guide...I have entered into the Rev3 (HIM) in Maryland 4 weeks out so I think my mindset will be to just go and enjoy as it's the last race (tri) I can fit in this year, vs really driving towards a PR.  No matter what, will go for the fun of it.

    Plan to get in a half marathon 8+ weeks out so will focus on speed for that one.  ;-)

    Thanks again and will let you know how I get on.

    Dawn

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