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Race Planning and Selection

atasicatasic
in General Training Discussions

I am looking for some thoughts and opinions on race planning and selection. Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

First part of my long season is devoted to short course racing. I am using OS to prepare myself for two A races, week apart. 05/16 sprint distance, 05/22 olympic distance, this one falls at the end of week 20 OS, perfect. Than I take two week transition with a vacation in Europe, training one too, as my better half is a runner, two kids are both swimmers.

Next A race is 70.3 Branson 09/18. I will have some short course sprinkled through the summer, all Cs. I am looking to add Pumpkinman triathon in Vegas on 10/02, most likely half distance, tempted by full, never done it.

In 2010 at 70.3 Branson I placed 4th M35-39 missing the podium by 26sec and 2nd by 28sec. I tend to favor non wetsuit swim races, very hilly bike courses, flat and possibly hot runs. Pumpkinman is not flat run. I am coming back to Branson with vengeance. 

I also need full 2 weeks of recovery after a brutality like Branson as I am "up there", now 40 years old.

What are your thoughts on these two very tough HIM distance races 2 weeks apart? Am I setting myself up for a spectacular implosion at Pumpkinman or I may carry some fitness over into it. How would you approach this.

Family seems to wanna go to Vegas, but I can sway them toward Austin 70.3 too. I was originally looking at a November full distance race, but M-dot sells year in advance. B2B was an option.

I am primarily concerned with the performance expectation at Pumpkinman, could I possibly match the peak performance of 09/18 Branson race or there will be erosion of fitness despite recovery and some "sharpening training" in the two weeks between the two races.

Thanks

Comments

  • kurshingkurshing
    That kind of race (a 70.3), 2 weeks apart is not a great idea in my mind. Pick one, recover, and get to the next thing. 3 weeks is probably better, and 4 is ideal as it would allow a nice bit of down time, and then some time to get/stay sharp.

  • atasicatasic

     Thank you. I thought so. I will look into 70.3 Austin instead. 

  • mattsullmattsull

    I did two 70.3's two weeks apart in 2009 and I was not recovered well enough for the 2nd. I'm in my mid-40's though. I also think it was more mental than physical.

  • kurshingkurshing
    Just a heads up regarding Austin. Quiet swim, rolling bike, and one hell of a run! That run is really hilly, and 50% off road...not that I am saying it is bad, but, you need to expect it! I was prepared for the swim and the bike but the run caught me off guard! It is an awesome race though!
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    I'm going to do Austin this year. I've heard the bike kind of sucks... the roads anyway.
  • atasicatasic

     You guys are awesome. Thanks.

    @Matt, I am affraid of both mental and physical. Branson is brutal. If it had been something flatter and not as hot, I would have plunged. Recovering from heat stress is even more tedious. Than, to go into another Branson like course sounds suicidal, Stephen was just kind enough to confirm it to me.

    @Stephen and Bob, yep, roads are a factor but more is the run course as it favors strong runners. I maybe VDOT 56-57 for a half by that time, not sure if I would do well on a hilly run course. Hilly bike and a non wetsuit swim, bring it on, my avenue. 

    I need to do more race studying. 

    Thanks.

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Favoring a strong runner certainly doesn't play into my strength. By far the weakest of the three disciplines for me.

    Always up for a challenge and it's just a 2.5 hour drive for me to Austin.
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