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USAT Nationals

jello4jello4
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Hey Coach Rich,

I know your guidance towards training for IM is to keep at least the 8 weeks leading to your A race clear and avoid extra races and such that will detract from your training. I have done that, but I was invited to USAT Nationals -> There is no way I will win but (at least to me) it is an ego boost to even qualify. I also know going will be humbling because it will be an all out race and there are LOTS of people faster than I am. I guess my question, what would your recommendation be relative to participating 4 weeks before IMWI?

-Mike

Comments

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    Just chiming in and hoping to be helpful. The days of admin before and after are probably a bigger toll on missed KEY workouts. If you can do the race without massive travel, no taper and still do your key workouts that's fine but all those are unlikely ifs. You also will not be in prime OLY shape, so is there a point to just participating? Enjoy the fact you qualified and kick butt at IMWI.
  • jello4jello4
    Robert,

    Thanks for the suggestion / confirmation - after thinking about qualifying for a few hours today I have pretty much come to the same conclusion. It is nice that I qualified but my end goal for 2014 is to complete IMWI, no point getting distracted by all the hoopla associated with this event - my time would be better spent training, recovering, and focusing on my training plan.

    -Mike
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Hey Mike,

    4wks out from IMWI is prime Ironman specific training time. Those weekends, beginning about 6-8wks out, are very, very valuable as Ironman specific prep and any racing that happens within that block becomes exponentially more expensive, with regards to a lost/compromised opportunity for race-specific training.

    Highly recommend you not do the race and maybe make it your focus for next year?
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