2011 Race Selection
So here is what I am currently considering:
March - Abu Dhabi (Long Course) or a training camp of some sort about the same time
May - IMSG
July - Some HIM
A second late season IM (IMCOZ/Rev3 Cedar Point).
I live in New England along the coast, so winter riding is limited mainly to the trainer. Right now I just wrapped up my 2nd HIM of the season and am currently training for a stage race (Black Fly - LOF). After which I would like to get in another late August HIM and then take a bit of down time.
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Comments
First off welcome to EN. Do you have a specific question or concern about the schedule you laid out? Which one of those races is your A-race, B-race, and so on?
I'm in the midwest and would not enjoy training for a May IM becuase of the winter riding issues, therefore I stick to summer or fall IM races... heck I have yet to do a HIM before June, but may try an April or May HIM next year. If you want to do your long rides on a trainer for 12 weeks prior to IMSG, go for it, just sharing my thoughts. Many people do it year after year.
Also, will IMSG be your first IM? If so, why cram to into one year. Why not double IMSG and do the late season IM instead. Maybe do two midyear HIM instead?
Just a few thoughts, but let us know what specific questions you had and we can help out.
Matt
Thanks for the input. Not my first IM. I did Kona last year. I was actually a trial member in Aug/Sept last year when there was an open month on the old forums. I did do a trainer century last year prior to Kona. IMSG would most likely be my A-race. Depending on how that goes Coz/Rev3 would be for fun. The midway HIMs would be trained through, not looking to peak.
The reason for 'cramming' so much would for the sole purpose of racing. I guess my question would be for IMSG, it seems that the IM plan is 20 weeks + 20weeks OS, would mean that I need to get some downtime soon? Or how crucial are a full 20 weeks of OS?
However, I REALLY want to caution you against IMSG if you live in New England. PM Olivia- she lives in Colorodo and did IMSG this past year- get some insight from here on how it felt to prepare for such an early race. Its really tough- not just mentally, but physically too.
What are your goals for your next "A" Ironman, and why did you happen to pick these two in particular?
Finally- are you single and independently wealthy? That's a lot of $, vacation time, and training to do all of those races. Just be careful you don't go off the deep end on trying to do too much. All cool stuff, no doubt, but I kinda gotta ask how that impacts the other parts of your life. Where is the balance?
Let me first say, that everyone is different and some people thrive on indoor training. Going into training for IMSG I thought I was good with it having done a lot of indoor work in '08 in prep for IMCDA. Lo and behold it can be a major drag. I really struggled with IMSG because for all intents and purposes it is an April race. It got not only draining to be indoors for so much work, but lonely as well. None of my usual training buddies were riding as much or as hard as I was. I also had to do the majority of my outdoor run training in the dark of the late winter/early spring mornings before work (but you may have a schedule that supports more day time workouts). Adding insult to injury, I didn't get nearly the amount of hill training on the bike or the run as I usually get for later year IMs, which would have been a major benefit for this course. It's just tough to replicate that kind of training indoors. Even when I did run outside in the hills of Breckenridge it was generally on snow and ice. (but you probably wouldn't have quite that snow and ice issue where you are)
Again, everyone is different, and your fortitude for such things is likely far above mine.
On the bright side, St. George is a great course. Challenging as hell, but great for that reason and stunning in its beauty. If they'd move that race to October or November I'd do it again, and I'd have a much better race as a result of a summer full of outdoor training on terrain that mimics the course.
A final note....The swim will be much, much, much warmer in COZ.
It is just a personal preference but I prefer to race early in the season, by the time October rolled around for Kona last year, I was almost burned out and had been wishing for a September race.
I am a very heavy sweater, and melt a bit in the heat/humidity. I have no desire to race IMLOU.
Having been to Houston many times, IMSG just seems like it would be a much better race, but I could be wrong. I believe May is the rainiest month of the year in Houston and it is hot/muggy.
A June IM would be ideal, but for the cost of IMLP I could race a euro IM.
Last year I was given a last minute opportunity for Abu Dhabi this year, but at 4 weeks out was not ready to bike 120mi. This offer was extended for the upcoming year, so Abu Dhabi would basically be a wash, $$ for food out of pocket.
My schedule allows me to work out almost every morning before work, and I can ride on the trainer every night, but no swim and rare night runs.
I do not make a ton of money but I have quite a bit of vacation time and work tends to be somewhat flexible with my schedule as I have a good team that work for me.
The HIMs would be local and require no time off and would be raced for fun.
Goals for next "A" ironman would be to go under 10:30, but mainly have an awesome swim and a great run. Second IM of the season would be more for fun, possible vacation and a 'C' race I could register very late for.
My trainer-fu is currently weak. Last year it was strong. I rode outside 10-11 times last year including 4 races.
Maybe I am totally wrong in my choices, others have far more IM experience than I do.
1- Why do you say the cost of IMLP would be the same as racing a euro IM? If you live in New England I'd think travel would be cheap and you could volunteer this year to get an entry next year. Frankly, IMLP seems like a great option to me- so I'm not quite sure I understand why it's not on your list.
2- How committed are you on that 10:30 goal and what was your time at Kona? (OK, maybe that's 2 Qs in 1). IMSG is not exactly a "PR for time" course. So I'm trying to get a sense for how realistic that time goal would be at that race for you.
Finally- Free ride to Abu Dhabi with only needing to pay for food!! Holy Cow! That's freakin awesome! Who did you have to...... oh never mind, I don't care how you swung it, it's just cool!
The 10:30 is up in the air. The ideal situation would be to KQ, but I think 2012 would be better to go back.
IMLP is expensive because of the hotel situation. Minimum 5-night stay, with prices starting at $200 ~$1000 just for the hotel+gas+food.
Kona was slow. I crashed at timberman, wrecking the front end of my bike and smashing up my shoulder some. Was not able to ride/swim for 2-3weeks running was ok, and then did not get my bike fixed until the day before I shipped my bike to Kona. Position was off and I had a terrible day on the bike. I enjoyed my time out there and would like to go back in 2012 if the world does not blow up.
No comment on Abu Dhabi.
Yes but free is nice also if you followed the race this year, it was sunny but no humidity and not exceedingly hot. A different note, I forgot about CDA, seems like it could be a better race than IMSG.
Aaron - several of us have had no problems combining CDA and AZ (a week before Coz) in one year. Just about perfect to allow three weeks rest, a little re-ramp in the summer months of July and August allowing for some shorter races, then about 8-10 weeks of IM specific training in the fall. Hope to be trying to catch you on the run course in Coeur d'Alene next year!