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Two IMs?

doddsjdoddsj
in General Training Discussions

I would really appreciate input from the collective wisdom of the team about doing two IMs in a year.  Having just finished my first IM last weekend and reflecting on my performance, I know that I have a great deal of room for improvement.  I have heard one approach is to do an IM as a prep race for one a couple of months later.  I am already signed up for IMUSA next year (7/24/11) and I am eyeing IMSG (5/7/11).  I know that SG is a tough course if not the toughest in the U.S.  I also realize that I would lose valuable training time around SG.  Is there enough value to be gained through experience and the racing edge to justify the loss of training time?  If any of you have done two a couple of months apart, what was your experience?  Thanks.

Comments

  • doddsjdoddsj

    Okay, with a little more research, I probably have much of the answer.  IMSG and IMUSA are 11 weeks apart and in reading Adam's thread: 

    http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/Community/Forums/tabid/101/aff/24/aft/2837/afv/topic/afnp/39143/Default.aspx

    I'm realizing that the answers will most likely be similar.  The wiki does make reference HIM's but I don't see full IM's.  Does the advice change when talking about a full IM versus a HIM or does it just get more definitive - as in, don't even think about doing it.

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    If two, I'd recommend Spring and Fall. Think IM SG and Arizona.
  • LynneJLynneJ
    I've done LP and Moo the same year 6 weeks apart and it's challenging. One approach with the 6 week window is 2 weeks recover, 2 weeks ramp and 2 weeks taper. Basically you carry your fitness from the first through to the second. I was just thinking today that if life circumstances ie my job allowed I would do it again as I love both races. And I'll definitely be back to St George as that falls under some serious unfinished business.

    Lynne
  • NortonNorton
    Last year I raced IM Coeur d'Alene then IM Florida. I had a life best race at IM Florida. YMMV.
  • steveperxsteveperx

     Jeremy:

    Certainly, it's doable, although I never have.  If you're already doing IMLP 2011, then probably either St. George or Florida would be your best bet.

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Depends on your goal in doing IM. If you are RACING, looking to see what times you are capable of, then based on my own experience of training for 20 IMs in the past  10 years, I'd say that unless you have at least 5 consecutive years worth of IM training and racing, a MINIMUM of 12-15 weeks is needed between IMs for a decent performance in the second one: 2-3 weeks of recovery, 2-3 weeks of a "ramp-up" or mini OS, and 8-9 weeks of focused IM training. If your goal is participation, with time a secondary consideration, then 6 weeks is probably the minimum time between you need.

    Just for the record, I talked to a guy at CDA, who's 66 y/o and has done >30 IMs, and will be doing Kona, Florida, Clearwater, and Cozumel between Oct 9 and Nov 29th this fall. So as they say, Anything is Possible.

  • k8trigirlk8trigirl
    I did IMLP and Florida last year. Plenty of time to recover after LP and then do a full 12 week training plan for Florida. I also had a fantastic race at Florida!
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    After a few years of multi-IM years, I've found that it comes down to a matter of perspective. Two or more per year is "excessive" to most in this game in the same way that doing 140.2 in the first place is "excessive" to non-triathletes. To quote a much smarter poster than me (albeit from a different topic): "it's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter."

    For what it's worth, my experience over the last few years has been my second or third were consistently faster than my first. I'll be revitalizing the 'how to' of this as a separate topic shortly in General Training. Stay tuned!

    AND GO FOR IT!
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