2015 Ironman Taper Hack ... is this OK or stupid?
I'm thinking about my 2015 race schedule and want team input on a hack to the standard Ironman taper before I put my plan before Rich. The current ironman plan has a race rehearsal 2 weeks before race day then starting the taper. The hack I am thinking about is returning the race rehearsal to 3 weeks out (as it has been in the past), then racing a HIM the following week (all out), then tapering for the remaining 2 weeks.
What's the vote? 
0
Comments
I did exactly that in 2008. Blasted a 70.3 two weeks before a fun group IM in Europe that meant little in terms of time. At the IM, I had a typical swim, a little slow on the bike, fell apart at mile 20 of the run but still walk-jogged to a sub-4. Took a nap at the finish, woke up in the med tent. 3 bags of saline later, I was ready for the Biergarten. It was one of my favorite summers of racing, and I have no regrets.
So, it's certainly doable, but if you're worried about 15~ minutes at your IM, I would stick to the plan.
My two Lincolns.
My ears were burning...
If you need / want a 3wk taper, that's fine. I recommend you do a Big Week 4wks out, then your final RR 3wks out, then taper for those 3wks.
I'm assuming you're going with a 3wk taper because you feel you need the extra recovery. In that case, it doesn't make any sense to race a HIM within that 3wks, only 2wks out from your race? In fact, I wouldn't call a 3wk taper, with an HIM in the middle of it, much of a taper at all
Paul- just in case you were wondering....^^^^ that was a virtual nutz kicking!
And frick, how can Tim (Mr IMCHAT/Kona double in 13 days) come onto this thread and say he prefers 3 weeks. For the love of all that is holy!
I give up, no Redman or Augusta HIM for me.
sat - 5.5hr bike / 7 mile brick , sun- split run 16/7.4
sat - 4hr bike / 5 mile brick , sun - run 13.1
sat - 2.5hr bike / 3 mile brick , sun- run 9
last week was under 4hrs total
mon- 31min swim
tues- 33min swim , 30min run
weds -60min bike
thurs -28 min run
fri - 31 min bike , 17 min run
sat- ZERO
SUN - RACE IMCHOO
I raced 3 HIM's this summer 6/28 , 7/26 , 8/24 ..... they were spaced 4 weeks apart like yours .... I did RACE them very hard , but I did a minimal 2-3 day taper and 2-3 day recovery for each as train thru events.... I was very happy with my performance on each one but I can tell I was not 100% on any of them and I could still feel the fatigue at the 2 week mark after each! IMO there is no better longday training for an IM than racing a HIM..... But you will pay the price at the 2 week mark.
My guess is you have pretty high expectations for IMLOU? And you should! I also know your a volume guy and you need some coaxing to taper :-)
nothing to add. agree.
i like the three week taper too.
and definitely no half irons within three weeks.
but depends on your priorities for which race.
r/Paul
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=5304086;page=unread#unread
If you've been training a consistent 30 hours a week or more, you might consider a Mark Allen-esque taper. Oh, and get a life.
If you've been training a consistent 25 hours a week, you might consider a three-week taper.
If you've been training a consistent 20 hours a week, you might consider a two-week taper.
If you've been training a consistent 15 hours a week, you might consider a one-week taper.
If you've been training less than 15 hours a week, you might consider skipping a taper until a few days out.
If you haven't been training at all, you should consider getting off your lazy, shaven a$$ before it's too late, fatty.