Kinetic HIM on May 10th
Hey all,
Ok, i am seeking advice from folks. Over the last three months, my life has been CRAZY!! i have sold my house, moved, my partner has gotten a new job that requires a boat load of travel, and I am in the process of getting a promotion. So i have put in way too many hours in the office doing my current and future job all at the same time. OH and finally the weather has killed me this season between the cold and the massive amount of pollen in the air right now.
I have come to the conclusion that this race in 2 weeks is going to be a mini train wreck. So i need advice on how to handle the bike/run to ensure this is not a complete and udder melt down.
Little background, Race rehearsal 5 weeks ago went great. I had an amazing bike and a solid run with no issues. This weekend, was a complete mess and i had to cut the run.. My head was about to explode from the pollen and all the goodness in the air. Also my quads where thrashed. Nothing else felt that bad but i just knew i could not continue with the run before i hit a trouble area. I know the quads are because i have not been able to get more than 2.5 hours on the bike over the last 4 weeks because of life and weather.
Advice? comments? What in the heck should i do? I will do the race and i will not bail on it. But i just need help with execution.
Comments
First of all, are you taking Loratadine every day???
Next, I've never met anyone who felt they were completely ready for any race they've done. It's a normal part of the anticipatory anxiety to feel there were more workouts, longer workouts, harder workouts that should have happened. Also two weeks before a race is usually when we feel the WORST, both mentally and physically.
Suggestion: Follow EN pacing strategy for your bike, making sure to Just Ride Along for the first 45 minutes, and NEVER exceed 10% over your goal watts at any time. That should set you up for the best possible run you can accomplish, given your current fitness. Then, use pace, HR, and RPE to moderate your run, and use those markers as a rein, not a whip, meaning, if you see your HR going up too high, slow down, no matter what your pace is. Or, if you feel like you can't keep the pace up for the rest of the run, slow down, no matter what your HR or pace is.
You'll finish the race, and you'll run the whole way. Those are your goals. You very well may be surprised by your final time.
My goal for the race is to enjoy the race and have fun.. I am sure i will be more competitive during the race but right now, i am so blah and relaxed about what happens
@JB -- maybe pace the bike at a tick over IM watts for the first couple hours then see how you feel about dialing it up in the last hour or so? Then on the run really hold back the first 4-5mi. I think you'll feel better about the race if you pace it for a strong, solid finish vs racing at HIM pacing goals that you may not have the fitness to back up...then really paying for that lack of fitness in the last 5mi of the run.