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Racing HIM while training for IM?

leeannkinkadeleeannkinkade
in General Training Discussions

 I had planned on racing Lake Stevens HIM on 7/15 while training for IMC on 8/26.  I would appreciate any feedback on racing vs training and which is the best course?  I just did Escape from Alcatraz and I felt like it did impact my training the week leading up to it and the week after as well.  I am also going to a training camp in Canada the week of 7/22 for 4 days.  I just want to get the most from my training.

Thanks,

Lee Ann

Comments

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    @Lee Ann -- it really depends on just how much you want to "Race" the HIM. Is it an A, B, or C Race for you? One of the HIM podcasts has Coach Rich talking about the impact an HIM will have on your IM training. I can't remember exactly which one, but I think it is like week 13 or thereabouts. You can get to all these by changing your training plan to HIM, and then going to the Complete Plan link. From there you can click on the individual links and they will bring up the podcasts/videocast links.

    Bottomline is that an HIM will punch a medium to huge sized hole in your IM training. Taper and Recovery for racing the HIM at A-level effort will cost you at least 7 days from your IM training plan...but up to 10 depending on how quickly you recover. If you only race it at a B to C-level effort, then the cost is obviously less.

    There is no requirement to race a Half before doing your IM. Nobody says at check-in, "Please show me your HIM finisher's certificate."
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

     More important than doing an HIM at 6-7 weeks prior to an IM is getting in a race rehearsal @ 6 weeks prior - 6 hours of biking followed by an hour of running all @ IM pace. If the HIM interferes in any way with that key workout - which is arguably the MOST important workout of the whole 12 week IM prep period - than don't do the race.

    And doing Stumptown in Portland or Troika in Spokane on Aug 5th is no better - there's ANOTHER key RR with 3 weeks to go!

    If you simply MUST do a race before IM Canada, I'd recommend Chelanman (Lake Chelan) July 21 or Whiskey Dick (Ellensberg) July 29th. Both are done in terrain and weather which is very Penticton-like. Chelan has sprint, Oly, or HIM distance (if you absolutely MUST do an HIM before Canada), and Whiskey DIck is an Oly. The bike includes a long, steady climb to start, and then a long downhill/flat into the wind.

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