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Should I add IM Texas to my 2014 Season?

Paul HoughPaul Hough
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Before I submit a season planning survey to Rich, I would like everyone's opinions on whether I should do IM Texas.  Here is my planned season right now without Texas:

Jan 18 - St Pete Beach 5K
Feb 2 - Chilly Willy Duathlon
Feb 22 - Gasparilla 15K
Mar 8 - Armadillo 10K
Mar 23 - Great Clermont Olympic
Apr 12 - Escape from Ft Desoto
May 4 - Florida International Tri
Jun 1 - Mad Beach Sprint Tri
Jul 26 - Top Gun Sprint Tri
Sep 7 - Rev 3 Cedar Pt 1/2
Nov 1- Ironman Florida

My thinking under this plan as it is now, is to work speed and strength in the first half of the year, reset after the 1 June race, then build long with the Rev 3 HIM (I expect this to be the USAT Long Course National Championship) and IMFL in the fall.   If I do IM Texas I will have to throw out the Apri/May/Jun races to start an IM build.  Also, due to family vacations in March and June, I cannot attend the EN Texas camp.   On the plus side, it would give me another notch towards my Legacy count.   I intend to wait and see how IMCOZ goes on 1 Dec before I enter.   And certainly, if I am unable to get into IMFL then I will almost definitely do it. 

So would an early season build towards Texas help me more in the fall, or would a Mar-Jun short course season be the better course of action?

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Why would you want to go to Houston when Lanzarote is the same weekend!!!???

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Simple Al ... Lanzarote would definitely be preferable but I will be spending about 10 days in June in England to show my daughter where she was born ... a promise I made long ago to do the year she turns 16. So next year is the time to pay up and no racing is allowed while in England per the frau. I don't have the time for another long trip in May, but could do Texas with only a couple of days off work. That and the fact that going to Lanzarote would mean my daughter would miss too much school even though I highly value travel as an education of its own.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    I don't know.

    But company would be nice.

    Me.   Tim Cronk.     Others?

    I'm staying at the La Quinta.           

  • tim cronktim cronk
    YES
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner
    And the niceness of this being an EN race.   Both the coaches there.    Etc.             I have been lucky and had coach R at many of my races.      Will be nice to meet coach P in person.  
  • tim cronktim cronk
    @Robin .... I'm the opposite... Seen Coach P at many races and will be meeting Coach R at IMTX .... Or in Tucson LOL....

    Joe Lombardi and Tom Glynn are also doing IMTX again..... We have a good group already join the party Paul!
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    OK, wish Carl and I luck at Cozumel and we will probably be motivated to come to Texas. Body composition is going to be the key for me. I really need to thin out like I was in the good old days.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner
    big luck and skill for mexico.       then come to race in former mexico. 
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Paul,

    The way you have your season set up now definitely allows for more speed work after the OS.  This sets up a good shot at IM Florida but you are all in at one IM.  Now if your ultimate goal is to get to 12 for the legacy sooner then scrap the plan and add in Texas.  The flip side is Texas is early enough to get in 2 good IM's in one season for sure. 

    You race a ton and I'm not worried about the long season for you mentally especially with the mid season break. 

    My only other thought is do you have any lingering issues from this season, nagging injuries, muscle imbalances from the foot injury, or the foot that needs attention in the off season.  

    Gordon

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Gordon, thanks for the input. My foot is completely healed and I have no nagging injuries. I do have a left leg imbalance that I have been working on for 6 years...it is the very reason I switched from running to triathlons. I have been working with a personal trainer to address it. Meanwhile, I need to get CRONKED before Cozumel...i.e., ripped with no fat. That is the only way to succeed in a hot weather race. I need to prove to myself that I can handle the heat before I consider Texas. I like to race but I honestly don't know if it helps or hurts. The mid season break next year is for real...I will be traveling without a bike and will probably only be able to run for about 10 days.
  • tim cronktim cronk
    @Paul-- glad to hear your foot is healed.... Good idea to wait and see how you do in Coz this year .... But seriously you did fine there last year which means you still got it and can handle the heat just fine (you know the deal gotta find the speed that works for you to keep moving)..... John Kitchen just joined the party. We have an awesome group for Texas already.

    I'm sure you have read the Desertdude rules off ST...
    http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1192024;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    @ Tim - I've seen those before, but I needed the reminder!
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    All USAT made my decision for me. I did not see this coming but the Grand Rapids Tri on 8 June will be the 2014 Long Course National Championship. It says so right on their website at www.grandrapidstri.com so check it out. That means IM Texas is a no go, but Wisconsin Florida double is now possible. I am going to be at IMFL this year just to register with my youngest son.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Bummer!  I will be doing IMTX in 2014 with the rest of the EN rock stars and would have loved to enjoy beers with you again.  But you made a good call.

    John

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