RR for Challenge Barcelona (70.3 distance)... sort of
Hi all,
This last Saturday I was supposed to do my last RR (bike & run) for my A race, which is the Half Challenge Barcelona (on May the 16th). Just like my training for the past two months, it did not go as I planned. I've just become a dad (my boy is one month and five days old), and the last month of my wife's pregnancy was difficult, as she had to stay in bed in total rest. So my priorities have changed, and it's been Wife-Son-Work... and then Train. So I wanted to leave for a very early bike ride, but my son is having some (absolutely normal, as we've been told) stomach issues, and I stayed to confort him and let my wife get some sleep. I finally was able to jump on my bike... at 19:30, and did a hard 30' climb, and then a steady (Z3) 90' run... and felt good.
In brief, I have not been able to train for more than two hours in the last two months (and it's going to be like this for at least a few more months). I've switched to more intense workouts (except for a few long runs of 90-100', at Z2-Z3, and a couple of swim RR, in which I swam 2000 m. non-stop). My numbers are good, in watts (for the 20' max efforts and in my usual climbs) in pace (for 5k and 2k efforts) and for the swim RR. Basically I am not worse than I was when I started training in the OS (back in October). So I guess I've managed to stay in shape, in spite of the new circumstances in my life, and the lack of sleep (no more than four consecutive hours lately).
I've thought of not doing the race, and my decision has been to stick to it and change it from an A race to a C race. I did the race last year, it's right in my "backyard" so I know the circuits very well, and it's "only" a Half-IM distance event... I guess I'm fit enough to finish it and have fun in the process (at least until the last part of the run).
The plan is to cruise on the swim (I guess that's the part of the race where I will have less trouble), be conservative on the bike (limit myself to 200W, considering my FTP of 247) watch my untrained leg muscles, and survive the run (start with 6:00 Kms for the first 10k), walking the aid stations and stretching at the turnarounds.
My biggest concern is muscle cramps (distance is what I don't have in my legs) and I was thinking of using compression socks or calf guards. I've used them for recovery (specially when I've had to travel after a big workout or a race) but never for a race. Any experiences there? Can I wear them under the wetsuit, for the swim?
For the rest of the Race Plan, I'll do what I did last year (and worked) for nutrition (a bottle full of diluted gels + water on the bike; gels, water and coca-cola on the run) and the equipment, except for a long-run tested under armour long sleeve shirt, that I'll use if it's hot, and which will help me to stay cooler. The big shift will be the mental one, and that's an experience (going to a race knowing that I have not trained enough) from which I guess I'll be able to learn a lot.
Hopefully, in a few years time I'll be back to have more time to train (babyjogger?) and try to race the course again.
Thanks a lot (again) for your comments!
Jaime
Comments
Good Luck on the race. (what part of town is it in? Is there a website?)
Jamie- first, congrats on the baby! You obviously have your priorities set right.
My only concern would be the run. What is the longest run you've been able to do in the past 6 weeks? If it's going to be a huge jump to get to 13.1 miles then you might want to be even more conservative with your pacing on the bike and might also consider doing a bit of intentional run/walk pattern for the run. I just wouldn't want to see you get hurt on the run by making a huge jump.
I haven't used compression socks for running yet, only for recovery & travel like you. They seem too hot for running- but then again, maybe I just haven't found the right pair.
the website is http://www.challenge-barcelona.es/, and there you can see the Half and the Full IM distance races (I won't be doing the full this year, as I definitely won't be able to put in the training needed this year). It's about 50km north of Barcelona, on the coast.
As for the socks, I haven't had the time to look for a cooler pair (my travel ones are thick), I may check the expo next weekend, and try some on. I run a half marathon back in February and I've run 16km in long runs (this past week) without even a blister, so I guess that, except for the cramps, I won't get too hurt.
Wish me luck!
Jaime