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Oly 3 weeks before an IM, good or bad

gedpaynegedpayne
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

I am trying to plan out next year and have IM Texas on for May 21. Does anyone see anything really bad about doing an OLY on May 1?  I was looking at doing St. Anthony's because it is near the anniversary of the death of a friend of mine who was the whole reason I started doing triathlon in the first place.  It would be one that I would seriously not really race with my eye obviously on the bigger goal, but one to raise money as the main goal.  It will also be my first shot at doing a real race since Nov of 2009 after having to take off this entire year from tri due to injury and surgery for said lovely injury.  Thanks.

Comments

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Bad idea. 3 weeks out from your IM is going to be your final Race Rehearsal (6 hour ride followed by a 1 hour run). It's a very important workout and doing an Oly will not be a substitute.

    That said- I totally understand the emotional reasons for wanting to do the race to honor your friend. Consider joining Janus Charity Challenge for IMTX and rais money in your friends honor (just 3 weeks later- bonus is you get primo stpots in transition). If (BIG IF) St Anthony's is within close driving distance, you could consider doing your RR on Saturday and then volunteering at St Anthony's. Giving back with time is sometimes more meaningful than raising $ or racing.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Like Nemo said, you have to evaluate your overall goals. IMTX (or any IM if you ask me), should be the A++ goal.

    I know the EN viewpoint/perspective on not racing ANYthing for 8 weeks before your IM...BUT, an olympic - when training for an IM - would/should be just like a short and intense workout. Personally, I don't think the recovery time is that much. Hopefully Rich doesn't kick me in the nutz for saying that.

    Unfortunately, the anniversay of your friend's passing will be there every year. Honor him with Janus, like Nemo said, or honor him in 2012.
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    2-3 weeks out should be your race rehearsal time. I think an Oly is just inviting an injury or pushing so hard, you lose a week of training.

    See you in Texas (fit and tapered)!
  • gedpaynegedpayne

    It was just wishful thinking.  It actually just solved itself because I just looked at a schedule and I have a campout with both of my girls that weekend, so I cannot do it anyway.  I just looked at the training map and noticed that.  I seriously would have done that on Saturday and then done the race on Sunday too.  My main goal is Texas and to have a 12 to 12:30 finish.     If I can only find the time to listen to the power webinar 10 more times I may be abel to figure out how to use the PM to make sure I can get that goal time.

     

    Thanks everyone.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Not only is doing an OLY 3 wks out, St Anthony's is a particularly bad choice. It's just across the bridge for me but I don't care for the race. It is well-organized, and the competition is excellent. However, because it is so large, you spend more time at the venue than you would for a 1/2 IM. You go early to find parking and get out of T1 before it closes. Then depending on your age the long wait for your wave begins, for some it's close to 2 hrs. In 2008 the swim was canx due to chop. In 2009, it was canx for the last several age groups due to chop. The winds pick up as time goes by so it's not even the same race for the pros as the later age groupers. Although the organizers cover RR tracks w carpet, the bike is bumpy in many places and the course is littered with ejections of stuff from bikes. The run is nice but hot. Then comes the long wait before they open transition to get bikes...one-by-one, because the later age groupers will still be coming through. Estimate 0430 show time and 1 to 1:30 pm as the earliest you will get out of there. If you get an award, it will be 4 or 4:30pm. And it's just an OLY!
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Estimate 0430 show time and 1 to 1:30 pm as the earliest you will get out of there

    That's a HUGE opportunity cost 3 weeks out from your IM when what you should be doing with that time is either a 6 hour ride/1 hour run race rehearsal OR recovering from that race rehearsal.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    ..... not meaning to hijack the thread but it would be ok to do a HIM?  I'm thinking Columbia May 22nd followed by Eagleman June 12th?

  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    @Ian - Same deal - too close to race - I did Eagleman before LP this year and that is still considered too close to the IM (by one week).
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