Help me pick my IM this summer
Coaches and athletes,
I need advice on my IM this year. Quick background 42 male with variable work schedule (some nights and weekends)... Last year I was set to do IMTX and IMKY. TX went ok but I went out too fast on bike and struggled on back end of run. Finished in 9:53 and missed KQ. EN workouts progressed nicely until July when I was out on a long run and tore my plantar fascia. DNS IMKY and haven't worked out much since. Soooooo.... Assuming I can tolerate longer runs and a low current level of fitness I want to try to KQ this year. My schedule fits IM Cda and MT. I live in Kansas City with rolling hills for running and cycling. Spring weather is variable and summers are hot/humid. I'm an average swimmer and above average cyclist and runner. Assuming a semi healthy foot which IM would you recommend??? BTW I may end up doing both but want your advice first!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Luke
Comments
Luke...you are too fast for any advice from me to be useful!
I'll take any advice I can. Thanks. Is the IMMT course the same as the 70.3 course or flatter? I'm assuming that the bike hills are similar in grade to Branson 70.3 but I'm concerned that the run is full of punchy little hills?
Hope all is well. I didn't know you were EN . . . no wonder you're so fast. Sorry I missed you at TX this year (I was hanging with the team and didn't know you were racing). Having trained and raced with you many times, I know exactly how strong you are at the B&R. My $.02? Simply find a race that helps the average swimmer and challenges the average rider/runner. TX has more spots next year, but it's early for KC training and you'll likely have to swim sans wetsuit in (slow) lake water. The most obvious choices (to me) are Choo and Louisville. Both are fast, wetsuit, current, time-trial swims (swim becomes smaller % of overall race time, the studs' lead out of the water is smaller), and the B/R of each are challenging enough. Plus, both cater to KC training. CdA is early for KC. MT would suit you well, and the wave start (assuming they do that next year) may slow down the fast swimmers if they have to swim through/around earlier waves. Of course, you can drop into Week 11 and go do New Zealand with me in March.
Whatever you choose, I wish you a happy, healthy chase toward your goal.
Mike