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Setting a goal finish time

Douglas SutherlandDouglas Sutherland
in Racing Forum 🏎

I am curious if you all determine a goal finish time for these races, and if you do, how you decide that goal (assuming you have not done the race in previous years)? Is there is normalizing factor to compare races? I recall the feel of the Austin course, I have my race report, and know my current zone stats well, but when I look at the St George elevation map, it seems I am going to participate in an entirely different event other than the distance. 

Part of me thinks setting a goal time in this sport is fools gold. Too may variables on the day anyway - just go with the flow and trust your training zones - which is what I gather from EN scripture. But the other part says "this is a race, f*&* your training zones, go low!". If you do not set a time goal, how do you know when and how to push harder when staring at your power meter mid-way through?

 DS

Comments

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    Doug,
    Yep. You got it.
    As Al Truscott says (paraphrasing b.c I can't find his exact quote) , "If you pay attention to Power and Pace, Time and Place will sort themselves out."
    That being said, your training plan will have two race rehearsals (IM) that will help modify and inform your expectations.
    Joe
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Look at the elevation profile of the IMSG run. IMSG is all about the run, specifically your ability to push up/through very long, increasingly steep hills. Making the right onto Red Bluff (?) and not being in a good place to push through to the turnaround and back to the downhill to the finish will really take a bite out of any sexiness you created on the bike. 

  • tim cronktim cronk
    Doug I think you answered all your own questions.... Joe's quote from Al is what you want to be thinking... Execute the process , but let it be dynamic , adapt when necessary .... You also need to evaluate what this race means to you ? Is it a preparation for IMCDA? If yes you want a confidence inspiring result. If NO and its your "A" race ? Well than you can "risk" blowing up by racing too early!

    Review this.
    http://members.endurancenation.us/Resources/Wiki/tabid/91/Default.aspx?topic=Race+Execution,+Half+Ironman

    One thing you need to do is come up with a time estimate for the bike so that you can come up with your target watts? A 3.5hr bike split would have a lower IF than a 2.5hr bike split.....How do you get an estimate? similar course training , bestbikesplit.com , find someone who has done IMSG and another HIM you have done to see what the difference is.... Doesn't need to be exact....
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Pay attention to your nutrition and your pace; your time and place will take care of themselves.

    Advice for St G...two cruxes to the race. First is the big hill on the bike in the park finishing mile 40 something. This is long, steepish, hot, and a good place to bugger your run if you try to be a hero and "win" the race to the top of the hill. Just ride @ 80% of your FTP, NO MORE.

    Second is the whole run . Pace is worthless. Use HR, starting out @ high Z2, don't ever leave Z3, but keep it there in the downhills, fly by people, and stay in control on the ups.
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