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PMC.....Why We Don't Do Marathons Before Ironman

SwanieSwanie
in General Training Discussions

I am attaching a copy of my WKO+ Performance Manager Chart  for the training season leading up to Ironman Arizona. I want ed to give viual representation as to why the coaches say not to do a marathon prior to an Ironman.  The Portland Marathon is 6 weeks prior to the Ironman and I wanted to do it because it was my daughters first and she wouldn't have done it if I didn't run it as well. Knowing this was going to disrupt some training for the Ironman, I wanted to limit the negative effect as much as possible, so I adopted a run/walk strategy. I ran 1 mile and walked for 1 minute, until the final 3 miles where I ran the rest of the way. I finished in 3:40:42 and felt great! No DOMS to speak of and I was back on the long run hitting my paces by Thursday of the same week. SO I took it easy the week preceding the race and then took Monday off, then tuesday and wednesday were taken at 70% of what I would have done normally. Even though I ran very easy on the marathon, took very little time off of normal training and got right back on the wagon, there is a definate drop in my CTL and resultant  rise in my TSB in the two week period surrounding that race (10/9/11). Had I not ran the marathon my CTL would have continued a very nice even climb to where right now I would be in the 112 TSS/day range instead of where I find myself right now at 98 TSS/day. Although this won't make or break my race day at Arizona it definately makes me consider the races that I decide to do leading up to my A races.

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Diggin a hole, but looks like you've bounced back nicely - and controlled! Well done! You're gonna rock AZ!
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Steve, very true, there's opportunity cost to doing events like that in the final push.

    Just remember that the PMC is just a model, and it heavily weights volume. If you've kept up the work (which you have), the diminishing effect has probably been less than it looks on the chart. Don't let the chart get you second-guessing the fitness you've built!
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    x2 what Mike G said...you've been smarter than what it says. But you still need to be mindful of pushing too much, esp on the run!
  • NortonNorton
    Yeah, yeah, yeah, PMC, TSS...whatever: you got to run with your daughter during her first marathon! All the scientific measuring sticks in the world won't measure the joy and lasting goodness of that wise decision and action. Well done.
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    And once again, I'm humbled by the wisdom of Bill. Well said, my friend. Well said indeed. We could all use to remember that things like that are really what it's all about.
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    x 2 @ Bill — hell yes!
  • SwanieSwanie

    Don't get me wrong... I wouldn't have missed it for the world and would do (will do) it again. I was pretty fookin' cool watching her get her first.

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