Thanks Rich, I'll resist the urge to jump back into the intervals until I have at least 2 weeks of pain free running and then re-evaluate. 4 days down...10 to go.
My wife works on most Saturdays and I have daddy day care duty (20 month old daughter) from 6am to 8pm on these days. I assume this works, but, thought I would check. Since I have a gym membership and day care services available there, I have swapped the weekend run and bike the last two weeks and it has been much easier to manage. Is it okay to do that...to just swap those two days?
I think I may need to adjust from the ADV to the INTERMED plan for the remainder of the OS (about 4 weeks). Or at least adjust something in the work that I'm doing. After a month of banging my head against a wall and telling myself I'd get through this I think (thanks to the help of my fabulous teammates) it's time to adjust. Some facts:
I got really exhuasted when, in the second week of December, I put two of the longer and hack-ified bike workouts in the week after my run focused vacation. My PMC shows a huge spike in ATL that week, which suggests that was the beginning of my plunge into exhaustion. (Ridiculous error, but look at what I'm learning, right? )
Haven't really felt back on track since then.
I've been able to hit my 30/30 work efforts without issue but have struggling mentally through the 85% pieces - falling short of 80% and not always making it for the full ride time.
I haven't been able to run off the bike even at LRP since then unless I chunk the run up into segments. (that isn't normal for me) Moving those runs to the afternoon allows me to do the run without issue, but that has schedule and logistical issues that add stress.
My tests this last week yeilded the same numbers from last time. Not disastrous results. BUT on the run test I stopped at 2.5 miles to catch my breath....can't say I've ever done that before...crouched on the ground, panting, I realized that I should have stayed in bed. (Coach P's video advice to that effect rang in my ears!!)
I went through a major rough patch at work the week before Christmas and lost it with a few of my co-workers. Part of that was due to the stress of the on-going saga of my repairs from my 5/1/09 face plant...but in retrospect it probably was exacerbated by training stress.
I feel like I can't get enough calories to keep the engine burning for a full day. (and I eat a lot!)
On the positive side, my body feels fine. No injuries, no illnesses, no inability to sleep, still a happy home life. I can still pedal and run, but clearly need to reboot and reset so I can continue in the right direction.
I think this is all correctable, and assuming I didn't just throw away a whole month worth of sub-optimal work. So what do you suggest for the rebut need advice on the best approach for the remainder of the OS? Perhaps whatever I do for the remainder of OS will provide insight into the right plan/approach for IM prep.
Pretty much lost the first week of the January OS plan to my cold/coughing - a few easy workouts on the bike - anything remotely intense and I start to cough. If I'm lucky, I'll feel well enough to do my testing late week 2 ~ Jan 14th (maybe Wed & Fri or Thurs & Sat). So how do I catch up? Obviously, week 1 is the first week I feel well enough to do my test. Do I jump from there to the same week as the rest of the group? I know that's hard to answer until I know when I will actually be able to start. Just trying to plan ahead -I guess that's just how I think.
Pretty much lost the first week of the January OS plan to my cold/coughing - a few easy workouts on the bike - anything remotely intense and I start to cough. If I'm lucky, I'll feel well enough to do my testing late week 2 ~ Jan 14th (maybe Wed & Fri or Thurs & Sat). So how do I catch up? Obviously, week 1 is the first week I feel well enough to do my test. Do I jump from there to the same week as the rest of the group? I know that's hard to answer until I know when I will actually be able to start. Just trying to plan ahead -I guess that's just how I think.
Yes, just integrate the test from Week 1 into the current week and continue...if you had missed 3-4 weeks, that's anoother story!
Absolutely go intermediate. This is all a game and tri needs to "fit" into your life. If it doesn't work with work, family, life, etc., then it doesn't matter if you are on the UBER fit program. Submit your request via the Dashboard and we'll get on it!
Pretty much lost the first week of the January OS plan to my cold/coughing - a few easy workouts on the bike - anything remotely intense and I start to cough. If I'm lucky, I'll feel well enough to do my testing late week 2 ~ Jan 14th (maybe Wed & Fri or Thurs & Sat). So how do I catch up? Obviously, week 1 is the first week I feel well enough to do my test. Do I jump from there to the same week as the rest of the group? I know that's hard to answer until I know when I will actually be able to start. Just trying to plan ahead -I guess that's just how I think.
Yes, just integrate the test from Week 1 into the current week and continue...if you had missed 3-4 weeks, that's anoother story!
Thanks- I'll try the bike tests near the end of the week and see how they go.
Absolutely go intermediate. This is all a game and tri needs to "fit" into your life. If it doesn't work with work, family, life, etc., then it doesn't matter if you are on the UBER fit program. Submit your request via the Dashboard and we'll get on it!
Patrick
I’m assuming this was directed at my question….I did go ahead and submit a plan change. BUT....I’m not 100% convinced whether a jump to the intermediate plan is or isn’t the right move. Last OS I went through the Advance program with no issues. I never got to see whether I was getting results because of the accident that took me out of things completely for the season. Although...my last FTP test and my last run test didn't really show much movement. (The thought at the time was that the bump would come as I moved into the race prep...)
Not sure what the difference is this year. Is it the longer overall OS program or just the fact that I messed up in week 11 by overloading? When I get home I can post my PMC or any other data from WKO+ if that will help assess what’s the right answer. I guess I’m looking for a bit more concrete evidence that this is the right approach. At the risk of overthinking it...
The workouts and fitting them in time wise and with my life aren’t an issue. I want to figure out whether my body really needs the plan change or just a couple of extra straight up recovery days. How do you know? I did post some of the same in my comments in the request....
on my schedule i have a half marathon feb 28th, how does that get reflected in my training, should i just continue with OS, or does the change automatically.
Rich - did the test this AM for power clinic (sick all weekend, missed workouts - still feeling it) - needless to say my numbers went down significantly from eligibility test - should I use today's numbers or eligibility test #?
RnP... Doing IMSG and in the Oct OS. I assume we will transition to the IM plan the week of 2/8. I was thinking of doing a half mary on 2/7 but am thinking that perhaps that isn't a good idea. Will we end the OS the week prior to 2/8 for a transition period? Should I nix the half mary? Also, want to plan a high volume week and don't know what the timing of that should be (and couldn't find it on the wiki). Your guidance on that too is appreciated.
RnP, Due to holiday vacation with family I missed 3 wks (here in Spain the Christmas holidays go through 6 Jan for Three Kings Day). Things began to return to normal (relative term) on Monday, 11 Jan. Anyway, I missed 21 Dec through 10 Jan. I ran while on vacation, but no bike. I returned and started up right where I am supposed to be now (I didn't back up to make up for anything I missed) (week 11) on Tuesday, 12 Jan. Doing the 30/30s, etc. Feel great. I did not do my 2nd round of testing before I left on vacation so I do need to slot in the time trials soon. I wanted to get back in the groove before doing the TTs though. Today on the track I crushed the workout (way faster than target pace) and felt great. Same with the 30/30s yesterday. Hopefully the 30/30s Thursday morning are as good as they were Tuesday with fresh legs. So my question is due to missing those 3 weeks is my training impacted that much? How? (yea, I gained 2 pounds) I really don't feel I lost any training, however I'm sure I suffered some detraining since that's the science. Am I okay where I am now? I do need to do the testing though. Maybe that's why I feel so good on the 30/30s and on the track today in the drizzling rain. Great stuff!
RnP, I posted this on a separate thread as well for advice from anyone that has done in the race here in EN, but I unexpectantly got in to the Escape for Alcatraz tri on May 2. I will be in my fourth week of ironman training for IMWI, and I am in the off season plan now. I hear there is some tough obastacle in this tri...such as the 400 stairs! How should I alter my training to include this race? I have picked up some weights/ lunges to help with leg strength... but help??
Looking for some input as to when to transition training plans. I am in the Nov OS and am looking at a HIM in mid July and IMWI in mid Sep. This is my 3rd year of tri's and I have done 4 HIM's already. When should I transition out of the OS for the HIM and can I use the IM training plan for getting ready for the HIM or do you suggest something else?
I am also looking for feedback on the transition after the HIM into the IM training.
Gents - posted this on another thread too for the Haus comment - however need to decide on events/entries within my 'new' schedule/focus so as not to miss out on key events.
(otherwise I'd be happy just to sort it out later).
New to schedule is IMCOZ in late Nov' - on adv OS now and plan was to switch to HIM plan to take me up to first A-race at UK70.3 on June 20. Can't get to Timberman in August now so I guess I could switch emphasis to building up to my 1st IM but thats obviously quite a ways off.
Key question is what type of events (if any) should I be looking at entering before (and in prep') for IMCOZ? Need to enter pretty quick to secure - UK IM is still open but is August 1st (maybe too early for me but good experience I guess) - there are later full IM (non-sanctioned) events around in UK that are much cheaper to enter OR forget doing the IM's and continue to enter perhaps another HIM to gain experience?
You may even suggest going straight into IM plan after OS?
1) I am in the Dec OS group (intermediate) and we are scheduled to test again next week. However, my PowerTap set up is literally on the FedEx truck but won't arrive until mid week. Given that it will take a few days to get everything set up and to familiarize myself everything, should I just retest using the same HR/time-distance test I used in Week 1 or delay a week and get a real FTP? If I delay, should I still take this Sunday off or wait until next Sunday?
2) I asked Patrick this in a chat but wanted to clarify/confirm that I had it right: My OS is scheduled to end right around April 25th which is also my first HIM race (Lonestar). As I understand it, at about 8 weeks out from the race (Wk 12 of the OS) I should start to add z1/z2 distance to my Sunday runs as a build up to nearly race distance. Likewise, about 4 weeks out (Wk 16 of the OS) I should start to add z1/z2 to my Thursday or Saturday bike workouts. Is that correct? If so, is there any need for a taper or just a relatively easy last week of the OS prior to the race?
Let's wait a bit before you test. Maybe next week in place of an interval session or next weekend. In my experience, you'll need a couple rides to figure/sort stuff out before testing.
What priority is Lonestar? Like we've said, we are working on some tools back here whereby the entire team inputs their entire race schedule for the whole year. Then RnP lock themselves in a small cell and bang out season-wide guidance for everyone. So the short answer is that this isn't something you need to be thinking about right now, and when it does become time, we will have done the thinking for you. That said, if Lonestar is an A-race we'd want to pull you from the OS about 6-8wks out. If B or C race, maybe 4wks. Either way, good idea for you to exercise the outdoor long bike and run options, if you can, beginning...late Feb or so.
on my schedule i have a half marathon feb 28th, how does that get reflected in my training, should i just continue with OS, or does the change automatically.
Hi Marie,
See this Wiki article we wrote a couple weeks ago about amending the OS plan to accomodate an half marathon.
Looking for some input as to when to transition training plans. I am in the Nov OS and am looking at a HIM in mid July and IMWI in mid Sep. This is my 3rd year of tri's and I have done 4 HIM's already. When should I transition out of the OS for the HIM and can I use the IM training plan for getting ready for the HIM or do you suggest something else?
I am also looking for feedback on the transition after the HIM into the IM training.
Thanks,
Rick
Rick,
Mid July is a "little" close to IMWI to go from a straight HIM plan to the IM plan for IMWI. Just not ideal, I'd like to see you getting in some sorta-IM volume in early July. Historically, July 4th weekend has always been my mental transition, for IMWI athletes, from General Prep to Race Prep training. Putting an HIM in there kinda tweaks things. For example, I don't really like to see midWest athletes racing IMWI racing Racine, as it's a little too close to WI. But anyway:
Finish out the NovOS
Are there any Olympic or short course opportunities for you in April and May? Would be good if you could maintain a short course/get faster by repeating a block or two of the OS but adding in the swims and doing the outdoor long bike option.
Then transition to the IM plan about 12-16wks out and just work with us to accommodate this July HIM in that plan.
RnP... Doing IMSG and in the Oct OS. I assume we will transition to the IM plan the week of 2/8. I was thinking of doing a half mary on 2/7 but am thinking that perhaps that isn't a good idea. Will we end the OS the week prior to 2/8 for a transition period? Should I nix the half mary? Also, want to plan a high volume week and don't know what the timing of that should be (and couldn't find it on the wiki). Your guidance on that too is appreciated.
Mark,
Doing that half marathon would be fine. Would be a good end to the OS for you. Best location for a high volume week would be 4-6wks out from the event. Go over the blog and look for a series Patrick wrote last year on epic training weeks....or just ask Nemo where it is
Sounds like you're in a good place. I say just pick up the plan where you should be, but do a bike test next Tuesday so can test/reset your watts if needed. If you are training with heart rate, don't worry about the test, drive on.
I posted this on a separate thread as well for advice from anyone that has done in the race here in EN, but I unexpectantly got in to the Escape for Alcatraz tri on May 2. I will be in my fourth week of ironman training for IMWI, and I am in the off season plan now. I hear there is some tough obastacle in this tri...such as the 400 stairs! How should I alter my training to include this race? I have picked up some weights/ lunges to help with leg strength... but help??
Heather,
Congrats on getting into Alcatraz! I've never done it but I've heard is fun...and challenging. Notes:
We're likely not going to put you into the IM plan until 12-16wks out from WI, so I don't think you'll quite be into the IM plan by Alcatraz.
Would rather you stay in the OS plan, doing the outdoor options to add volume.
You dont need to do anything too funky for Alcatraz. Just find some hilly, steep runs. From what I understand (I'm sure you can find a video on YT), you're basically climbing sand stairs with a rope to assist you. Lunges "might" help, but would likely impact your bike and run training...so just do hilly runs.
Gents - posted this on another thread too for the Haus comment - however need to decide on events/entries within my 'new' schedule/focus so as not to miss out on key events.
(otherwise I'd be happy just to sort it out later).
New to schedule is IMCOZ in late Nov' - on adv OS now and plan was to switch to HIM plan to take me up to first A-race at UK70.3 on June 20. Can't get to Timberman in August now so I guess I could switch emphasis to building up to my 1st IM but thats obviously quite a ways off.
Key question is what type of events (if any) should I be looking at entering before (and in prep') for IMCOZ? Need to enter pretty quick to secure - UK IM is still open but is August 1st (maybe too early for me but good experience I guess) - there are later full IM (non-sanctioned) events around in UK that are much cheaper to enter OR forget doing the IM's and continue to enter perhaps another HIM to gain experience?
You may even suggest going straight into IM plan after OS?
Thanks,
Dave
Dave,
I wouldn't recommend doing a June HIM, then August IM, then IMCoz. Sounds like Coz is more important to you and you'll be mentally burnt to a crisp with that schedule. There is no such thing as "just doing" an IM as a B or C race in route to another more important IM.
Would be better if you found an August or very early September HIM to provide you with a focus between June and November, or create a cool training weekend opportunity for yourself, etc.
Absolutely go intermediate. This is all a game and tri needs to "fit" into your life. If it doesn't work with work, family, life, etc., then it doesn't matter if you are on the UBER fit program. Submit your request via the Dashboard and we'll get on it!
Patrick
I’m assuming this was directed at my question….I did go ahead and submit a plan change. BUT....I’m not 100% convinced whether a jump to the intermediate plan is or isn’t the right move. Last OS I went through the Advance program with no issues. I never got to see whether I was getting results because of the accident that took me out of things completely for the season. Although...my last FTP test and my last run test didn't really show much movement. (The thought at the time was that the bump would come as I moved into the race prep...)
Not sure what the difference is this year. Is it the longer overall OS program or just the fact that I messed up in week 11 by overloading? When I get home I can post my PMC or any other data from WKO+ if that will help assess what’s the right answer. I guess I’m looking for a bit more concrete evidence that this is the right approach. At the risk of overthinking it...
The workouts and fitting them in time wise and with my life aren’t an issue. I want to figure out whether my body really needs the plan change or just a couple of extra straight up recovery days. How do you know? I did post some of the same in my comments in the request....
Olivia, I think the answer is pretty simple. When in doubt, just stop. Take a couple days off. Maybe a Sunday and Monday, for example, maybe Tues also, rolling Tues to Wed, Wed to Thurs, Thurs day to Friday (or bag thursday all together and take Friday off), and back on schedule for Saturday.
You can try to figure out why, but in the meantime you can fix it by, always, doing less. Stand down, fix it hard, get back at it and reassess
Thanks for the feedback. I was also planning on an Olympic in mid June. Early season races don't work for me as I can not get any swim time in until we open our pool in early May. I am allergic to chlorine ( we don't use that in our pool) and there are no indoor swimming options for me. The swim has always been my strongest so I don't worry about it too much prior to May. A May race only gives me a couple of weeks in the water beforehand.
I will look around to see if there are any other options for a late May Olympic. Am I correct in assuming based upon your comments you really don't want to see any races after July 4? What are your thoughts for a HIM in June instead?
I am in week 7 of my OS plan-not sure if it is the Nov or Dec group-the posted comments on both threads don't really match up with what I am doing. I have my Mardi Gras Marathon 2/28 and IM St G beginning of May. I have increased my run volume-doing 2 mid distance runs (5-8 miles) and 1 long run-weekly mileage is around 25. The shorter runs incorporate the tempo work from the OS plan. I am wondering about transitioning to the IM St G training and if there is anything else/more I should be doing for the marathon. Also what is the heads and tails you spoke of on the last update
I will look around to see if there are any other options for a late May Olympic. Am I correct in assuming based upon your comments you really don't want to see any races after July 4? What are your thoughts for a HIM in June instead?
HIM in june is great. Our only caveat with that is opportunity cost...IOW could you get more accomplished at a cool weekend long solo training event than "just" doing 70.3. Totally your call, and we support you either way!
Comments
Thanks Rich, I'll resist the urge to jump back into the intervals until I have at least 2 weeks of pain free running and then re-evaluate. 4 days down...10 to go.
RnP
My wife works on most Saturdays and I have daddy day care duty (20 month old daughter) from 6am to 8pm on these days. I assume this works, but, thought I would check. Since I have a gym membership and day care services available there, I have swapped the weekend run and bike the last two weeks and it has been much easier to manage. Is it okay to do that...to just swap those two days?
Thanks
OK...here I am AGAIN!
I think I may need to adjust from the ADV to the INTERMED plan for the remainder of the OS (about 4 weeks). Or at least adjust something in the work that I'm doing. After a month of banging my head against a wall and telling myself I'd get through this I think (thanks to the help of my fabulous teammates) it's time to adjust. Some facts:
On the positive side, my body feels fine. No injuries, no illnesses, no inability to sleep, still a happy home life. I can still pedal and run, but clearly need to reboot and reset so I can continue in the right direction.
I think this is all correctable, and assuming I didn't just throw away a whole month worth of sub-optimal work. So what do you suggest for the rebut need advice on the best approach for the remainder of the OS? Perhaps whatever I do for the remainder of OS will provide insight into the right plan/approach for IM prep.
Thanks!
- O
I'm adding a May 15th Oly to my racing plans this season. Doubt it alters my training plan, but thought I would let you know.
Clint
That's totally fine! Good luck on Sat...those are tough -- yet wonderful -- days!
Yes, just integrate the test from Week 1 into the current week and continue...if you had missed 3-4 weeks, that's anoother story!
Absolutely go intermediate. This is all a game and tri needs to "fit" into your life. If it doesn't work with work, family, life, etc., then it doesn't matter if you are on the UBER fit program.
Submit your request via the Dashboard and we'll get on it!
Patrick
Thanks and keep us posted...we'll have a better tool for this in a few weeks....
Thanks- I'll try the bike tests near the end of the week and see how they go.
on my schedule i have a half marathon feb 28th, how does that get reflected in my training, should i just continue with OS, or does the change automatically.
RnP... Doing IMSG and in the Oct OS. I assume we will transition to the IM plan the week of 2/8. I was thinking of doing a half mary on 2/7 but am thinking that perhaps that isn't a good idea. Will we end the OS the week prior to 2/8 for a transition period? Should I nix the half mary? Also, want to plan a high volume week and don't know what the timing of that should be (and couldn't find it on the wiki). Your guidance on that too is appreciated.
Due to holiday vacation with family I missed 3 wks (here in Spain the Christmas holidays go through 6 Jan for Three Kings Day). Things began to return to normal (relative term) on Monday, 11 Jan. Anyway, I missed 21 Dec through 10 Jan. I ran while on vacation, but no bike. I returned and started up right where I am supposed to be now (I didn't back up to make up for anything I missed) (week 11) on Tuesday, 12 Jan. Doing the 30/30s, etc. Feel great. I did not do my 2nd round of testing before I left on vacation so I do need to slot in the time trials soon. I wanted to get back in the groove before doing the TTs though. Today on the track I crushed the workout (way faster than target pace) and felt great. Same with the 30/30s yesterday. Hopefully the 30/30s Thursday morning are as good as they were Tuesday with fresh legs.
Feedback/Thoughts?
Muchas gracias!
I posted this on a separate thread as well for advice from anyone that has done in the race here in EN, but I unexpectantly got in to the Escape for Alcatraz tri on May 2. I will be in my fourth week of ironman training for IMWI, and I am in the off season plan now. I hear there is some tough obastacle in this tri...such as the 400 stairs! How should I alter my training to include this race? I have picked up some weights/ lunges to help with leg strength... but help??
RnP
Looking for some input as to when to transition training plans. I am in the Nov OS and am looking at a HIM in mid July and IMWI in mid Sep. This is my 3rd year of tri's and I have done 4 HIM's already. When should I transition out of the OS for the HIM and can I use the IM training plan for getting ready for the HIM or do you suggest something else?
I am also looking for feedback on the transition after the HIM into the IM training.
Thanks,
Rick
Gents - posted this on another thread too for the Haus comment - however need to decide on events/entries within my 'new' schedule/focus so as not to miss out on key events.
(otherwise I'd be happy just to sort it out later).
New to schedule is IMCOZ in late Nov' - on adv OS now and plan was to switch to HIM plan to take me up to first A-race at UK70.3 on June 20. Can't get to Timberman in August now so I guess I could switch emphasis to building up to my 1st IM but thats obviously quite a ways off.
Key question is what type of events (if any) should I be looking at entering before (and in prep') for IMCOZ? Need to enter pretty quick to secure - UK IM is still open but is August 1st (maybe too early for me but good experience I guess) - there are later full IM (non-sanctioned) events around in UK that are much cheaper to enter OR forget doing the IM's and continue to enter perhaps another HIM to gain experience?
You may even suggest going straight into IM plan after OS?
Thanks,
Dave
Two questions.
1) I am in the Dec OS group (intermediate) and we are scheduled to test again next week. However, my PowerTap set up is literally on the FedEx truck but won't arrive until mid week. Given that it will take a few days to get everything set up and to familiarize myself everything, should I just retest using the same HR/time-distance test I used in Week 1 or delay a week and get a real FTP? If I delay, should I still take this Sunday off or wait until next Sunday?
2) I asked Patrick this in a chat but wanted to clarify/confirm that I had it right: My OS is scheduled to end right around April 25th which is also my first HIM race (Lonestar). As I understand it, at about 8 weeks out from the race (Wk 12 of the OS) I should start to add z1/z2 distance to my Sunday runs as a build up to nearly race distance. Likewise, about 4 weeks out (Wk 16 of the OS) I should start to add z1/z2 to my Thursday or Saturday bike workouts. Is that correct? If so, is there any need for a taper or just a relatively easy last week of the OS prior to the race?
Thanks!
@Paul:
Hi Marie,
See this Wiki article we wrote a couple weeks ago about amending the OS plan to accomodate an half marathon.
Rick,
Mid July is a "little" close to IMWI to go from a straight HIM plan to the IM plan for IMWI. Just not ideal, I'd like to see you getting in some sorta-IM volume in early July. Historically, July 4th weekend has always been my mental transition, for IMWI athletes, from General Prep to Race Prep training. Putting an HIM in there kinda tweaks things. For example, I don't really like to see midWest athletes racing IMWI racing Racine, as it's a little too close to WI. But anyway:
Mark,
Doing that half marathon would be fine. Would be a good end to the OS for you. Best location for a high volume week would be 4-6wks out from the event. Go over the blog and look for a series Patrick wrote last year on epic training weeks....or just ask Nemo where it is
@Jay:
Heather,
Congrats on getting into Alcatraz! I've never done it but I've heard is fun...and challenging. Notes:
Dave,
I wouldn't recommend doing a June HIM, then August IM, then IMCoz. Sounds like Coz is more important to you and you'll be mentally burnt to a crisp with that schedule. There is no such thing as "just doing" an IM as a B or C race in route to another more important IM.
Would be better if you found an August or very early September HIM to provide you with a focus between June and November, or create a cool training weekend opportunity for yourself, etc.
Olivia, I think the answer is pretty simple. When in doubt, just stop. Take a couple days off. Maybe a Sunday and Monday, for example, maybe Tues also, rolling Tues to Wed, Wed to Thurs, Thurs day to Friday (or bag thursday all together and take Friday off), and back on schedule for Saturday.
You can try to figure out why, but in the meantime you can fix it by, always, doing less. Stand down, fix it hard, get back at it and reassess
Thanks for the feedback. I was also planning on an Olympic in mid June. Early season races don't work for me as I can not get any swim time in until we open our pool in early May. I am allergic to chlorine ( we don't use that in our pool) and there are no indoor swimming options for me. The swim has always been my strongest so I don't worry about it too much prior to May. A May race only gives me a couple of weeks in the water beforehand.
I will look around to see if there are any other options for a late May Olympic. Am I correct in assuming based upon your comments you really don't want to see any races after July 4? What are your thoughts for a HIM in June instead?
HIM in june is great. Our only caveat with that is opportunity cost...IOW could you get more accomplished at a cool weekend long solo training event than "just" doing 70.3. Totally your call, and we support you either way!
Thanks,
P