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70.3 Timing Next Season? Yes or No?

John StarkJohn Stark
in General Training Discussions
Overview:
  1. Volunteering at IMAZ this month so I will have a spot at IMAZ in 2011.  
  2. I will be doing January OS.
  3. Vineman 70.3 in NorCal is next July, is a great race and I will have a TON of friends doing it.  Hence this post.  
  4. The only other tri on my calendar for next year is Big Kahuna HIM in September.  My true IM prep race.

My question is:  Should I sign up for Vineman even though it is 5 months before IMAZ?  My fear is I will be burned out from training (i.e. I will be doing serious training starting in May timeframe) if I do a 70.3 that far out from IMAZ.

Any and all feedback is appreciated

 

 

Comments

  • Trent ProughTrent Prough
    DO THE RACE MAN!!!! then take a little time off and back at it for Big K. etc...
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    +1 on Trent's comment. Plenty of time to do it, take 2 weeks down, then gear up and go again. Plus, you're John Stark, the machine!
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    I'm in...therefore you're in!
  • Mike HedmanMike Hedman
    My personal belief - we're in this for the fun of it. And for me, there's nothing like racing. If your goal was to get a Kona slot at AZ and thus you must torque your whole life around that solitary goal, then give it a second thought. But otherwise, go for it!

    Mike
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    You know IMAZ is gonna be a Loooooooong year if you don't break your "season" up into two parts. If training for a HIM tickles your fancy, then I am all for you signing up for the early HIM and making that it's own season like others have said. OTOH, another option for you to consider (since I know you like other "cool" stuff) is maybe pick another really cool target for the June/July time frame (an ultra swim? ultra marathon? or maybe something else super cool and epic you want to target). I mention this only because even if you break up the year by inserting another A HIM in the spring/summer, your still basically doing triathlon training all freakin year long. And...... well while that is good for some folks, it's not good for all.

    What do you think would help you keep your head on strait so you could hit the IM Focused Training with all the enthusiasm and excitement you need to achieve your goals at IMAZ?
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I vote do it. But then again, I'm from the south and our race season starts mid-March and goes into December. It is a very long season. If you count the Frogman open water swim in January and some Feb duathlons, you can go year round. Just put a break in the middle and ramp it back up for IMAZ in part 2.
  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Do it! Even if you spend a good portion of prep for it doing super-sized OS, it will be fun.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I vote do it! It's a cool ass race and venue, and an early season focus for a long season will be good for the StarkBrain.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    John, you absolutely do "some" kinda racing before IMAZ. I think you should look for some fun stuff in the April-June timeframe.

    I'm sorta looking at Vineman myself, though it's a touch close to IMWI for me. We'll see.

  • deleshdelesh
    Well, since I am planning on doing Vineman 70.3 and IMAZ next year, I would have to say do it image
  • Peter CarrollPeter Carroll
    John, I'd say do it.. Only because I already signed up! I may even follow you to the Big Kahuna again this year! Those are the only 2 on my calendar.

    Peter
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Thanks everyone for the feedback.  I have been thinking about this a lot and now that I am deep into season planning it is becoming much clearer to me.

    I think I am going to pass on Vineman.  Nemo pegged it pretty well.  

    If I do January OS that will end ~ May 9.  Then two week Transition and that is done ~ May 30.  If I do Vineman that means I start (focused) training immediately after Transition for the event 7 weeks later on July 17th.  Then I only have ~ 3 weeks of down time before I start the 12 week Plan to IM AZ.  My A race.

    In short, over 11 months I will have one 2 week break and one 3 week break.  I can probably handle it, but I just don't want to risk it.   I will just use June and July for having fun with my fitness and do some fun events like Oly's, half marry's and trail runs.  Low stress stuff I can simply show up for.  :-)   Then get serious about IM AZ.

    Thanks again.

    John

     

     

     

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Well thought out. It's so easy to get swept up in the registration fever (especially this time of the year, with races closing so fast). Sounds to me like you made a perfect choice knowing what it will take to get to AZ ready to crush it!

    PS- Your transition time fits in perfect with TOC huh? :-)
  • Peter CarrollPeter Carroll
    John,

    Although I'll miss you at Vineman, its probably the right call... I mean you have to be more focused on defending your position at the big Kahuna anyways! You need another matching trophy ;-)
  • Trent ProughTrent Prough
    John, If you decide on say just a little trail run (like a 50k or 50mile Ultra) let me know and maybe you can break my virginity on an ultra the right way....In Cali!!!
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    @Nemo - You funny girl!  Love to do TOC but ain't gonna happen.  Not enough SAU's (or extra money and time) in the bank. 

    @Trent - Been noodling American River 50.  Not looking good.  Hedman and I have been trading emails about it.  I will make you a deal - if you run it I will be your SAG dude all day.  Meet you at points along the way with your fuel, etc.  You in?  Hedman is doing it.

    @Peter - Ya, 3rd place tiki trophy is a little lonely.  :-)

     

    And FYI - My wife and I decided yesterday that we are going to do the Vineman Relay together.  I will do the run and my wife will do the 56 mile bike.  I have been trying to talk her into stepping up to HIM distance and hopefully this will help her get the bug.  :-) 

     

    Thanks everyone.

  • Mike HedmanMike Hedman

    Trent, if you go to AR you'll have John to support you during the run, and I'll get a beer on ice for you at the end.  I figure it'll be chilling for 35 minutes or so...maybe an hour?

    What's the protocol here, am I supposed to let you say you're in before throwing out the smack talk?!?

    m

  • Trent ProughTrent Prough
    Posted By Mike Hedman on 05 Nov 2010 10:47 PM

    Trent, if you go to AR you'll have John to support you during the run, and I'll get a beer on ice for you at the end.  I figure it'll be chilling for 35 minutes or so...maybe an hour?

    What's the protocol here, am I supposed to let you say you're in before throwing out the smack talk?!?

    m





     

    WOW!!!!   All I can say is I hope your vdot is north of 60 right now to be talk'in like this nonsense.

    Also one thing.... If you are going to buy the beer, better get the wallet stocked

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