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3 1/2 IM too much?

carls10carls10
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Looking at planning my racing season and getting my entry fees in before the end of the year when they increase.  I don't have much experience with racing more than 1 big race per year. 

I'm in Nov OS, looking at first 1/2 June 5th.  Then next 1/2 July 10th and third Aug 21st.  I would like to do well and race all three races. I'm looking to get some more long course tri racing experience, but my ultimate goal this year is to improve my biking.  I went 8:20 at IMLP (yes my BIKE split) and I find that unacceptable so I'm on a mission to race IMLP 2012 with a much improved time.  I'm also planning on spending time at IMLP training camp and plan to be there race day.  Mostly just having fun with these things though.

Is this too much for one season?  Thanks for your input.

 

Comments

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    I did two 70.3's and IMFL this year. I had to DNS another 70.3 for illness reasons but was prepared for it. That was stretched out from April to November. It wasn't too bad. I think it might be easier to do it in a shorter timespan since training non-stop for nearly a year like I did can wear on you. Looks like your HIM's would be five to six seeks apart from one another. I wouldn't have a problem with that schedule but to each their own. It might be hard to "A" race each of those though.

    I plan on doing four 70.3's and IMTX in 2011. I haven't solidified my schedule but it looks like Texas 70.3 in April, IMTX in May, Musselman HIM in July, and I'm undecided on the last two 70.3's.
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    3 1/2s in one year is totally doable. Also can be a great way to have fun and work on getting fast in a non-IM year. Hardest part for me squeezing in 3 is finding stuff close enough to home so I don't eat up a lot of vacay time. Sounds like a great plan to me- go for it
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco

    I'm looking to do three 70.3 next year - (March / June / Aug or Sept) and then back to IMLP in 2012. Yours all seem to be about a month apart. Any chance you can spread them out a bit?

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I did 5 halfs in 2009...had no problem with them, but I was a little mentally worn out after the 4th. Three is easily doable, but I agree with Cary...they need to be spaced a little better.
  • Carrie ChavezCarrie Chavez
    70.3's take a lot more recovery than you think. I agree with spacing them out or only doing June and August?
  • carls10carls10

    Thanks all for the input. 

    I would be wiling to forego the July race and instead put in a September race.  That just seems like a really long season to me.  And what do I do the rest of June and all of July?  Get back on a HIM plan from June 6-Aug 21?  Maybe it would be better with just 2 races June and August?

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Long season...ha! Mine run from March to November...every year. But I back off a little in the middle of the year then go again. For example, I started 2010 with a duathlon in Feb, then the Miami Int'l Triathlon in March and so on through IMCDA in Jun and finally IMAZ in Nov. I'm going to have to resist the Key West Triathlon next December or I'll end up on the triathlon version of a hamster wheel!
  • Chris GChris G

     I think 3 halfs sounds fun.  I have done that a few times.  

  • Carrie ChavezCarrie Chavez
    Maybe a sprint or Olympic in July to KILL the bike and build your fitness that way? A lot less recovery needed in that distance.
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    Good points about spreading them out a bit farther. I like Carrie's idea. It doesn't have to be ALL HIMs! And of course I'm voting for you to do Timberman in late August :-)

  • jburbattjburbatt
    You could also figure in a Big Bike Week maybe with a longer distance race/ride somewhere that you could challenge yourself. I did that a few years ago and liked that I was pushing myself but that it was also fun in that I could do it with friends and meet up at aid stations.
  • kmephamkmepham
    I'm also doing Quassy Half June 5 and Timberman August 21. Hope to meet you at both of them! I appreciate the space between them, because it gives me a chance to do local tri's and bike time trials with my local tri buddies; I'd hate to lose that to non-stop long-course training and racing. You must have tons of short-course races around Boston you could choose from? Kinda fun to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond some of the time.
  • WisemanWiseman

    Absolutely not. I did 4 HIM's this year and could have done more ( did 8 other short races). I find I can recover very well from this distance in <10 days. In fact, I did one on 4/18 and the second on 5/1 and had a better race in the second.</p>

    I say have at it....I think the HIM distance is about the perfect blend of "racey" and "long".

  • rah2774rah2774

    I agree with everyone... very doable provided it's spaced well and you take some down time after each to recharge and relax!

    I did Eagleman (mid June) and Timberman (mid Aug) then a full IM in early Nov... other than being completely over training by October, the actual schedule worked out perfectly.  Having target races spread out like this broke up the season nicely.

  • carls10carls10

    Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated. 

    I have decided to go with Quassy 1/2 in June and Timberman in August, leaving July for fun at Lake Placid both training camp and as volunteer.

    Looking forward to a low-year year focused on getting fast

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