Recovery Between 70.3's

Keith Shireman

I've signed up to do 70.3 Galveston next April and I'd like to do another 70.3 in June. This will be my 2nd 70.3 to compete in due to my work schedule. My question, is it possible to recover in 6 weeks to compete in another 70.3 or should I wait 9 weeks later to race in 70. Lubbock? I feel like I can recover and go onto Kansas 6 weeks later. Has anyone ever pulled this off this close together? Just needing to make a decision and plan ahead. Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

MattAaronson

I know I shouldn't reply to a micro thread post but you are aolicitonv for experience so I will. I actually think 6 weeks is a fine time gap. I have done a time gap between 70.3's like this (or shorter) a few times:
- Racine to Steelhead
- Kansas to Racine
- This year I did GR (same day as Kansas), Racine AND Steelhead

And some others with similar gaps. Some times I have recovered very quickly and other times less quickly. I still think not is possible to carry the fitness to the later race(s). Usually I do nothing the week after the race until the weekend after the race when I resume biking with the normal 2 weekend rides. If I recover fast I might run on the Thursday after the race but slow and no more than an hour. A lot of people swim a lot after races because they feel it speeds recovery.

YMMV based on you fitness and speed of recovery of course.

Keith Shireman

Thanks Matt. I feel pretty confident I can recover and compete 6 weeks later. Just wanted some feedback from members who have done this before. This is part of my plan for next season. After the 2nd 70.3 I want to take a week off and begin training for a full Ironman for 2016.

Coach Patrick

Recover and compete yes. Recover and improve, probably not. But the mental execution / learning curve is pretty high and that could be the difference maker too!