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Wasting IM Fitness?

GSmith821GSmith821
in General Training Discussions

 I am sure this is not a new feeling and many of you guys/gals have dealt with this in the past.

I just completed my first IM at CdA, 2 weeks ago.  What an awesome experience.  I certainly felt like the training was harder than the race.  The  long solo rides and runs were much harder both mentally and emotionally than the race itself.  I was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely be doing another IM, in a couple of years.  I have to let my wife forget the long training days…I definitely exhausted my main SAU account and had to dip into the “revolving credit” SAU account. 

 This is only my 3rd season in multi-sport and I just passed my 3rd anniversary of actually running anything longer than a football field.  I’ve come a long way endurance-wise and although a low-MOP type speed, I feel like I can get stronger and faster.

 Hence, my dilemma.  I had a very poor showing at Augusta 70.3 last September and although I am at peace with it “just not being my day,” a part of me, albeit small, would like some redemption.  I got cramps on the bike and the run was a walk-fest.  It was what it was.  However, I am obviously in the best endurance shape of my life (44 yo) and don’t want to waste the opportunity to redeem myself in Augusta knowing that it will be easier to train for.  But…always a but…I’m just not feeling the “get in the race prep mode” mentality after IMCdA.  I will continue to train and maybe even do a Get Faster plan but I’m just not sure.  In the process of getting a great deal on a road bike and just may start hammering myself on  group rides for the rest of the summer into the fall.  I may sign up for a marathon with a friend in December.  I have lots of options.  At a crossroads, so to speak.

 What do you guys/gals think about shutting down my tri season and just training?  Am I “wasting” my IM fitness?  Should I just push forward and knock out Augusta by starting back in earnest (10 weeks away) in a couple of weeks?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Comments

  • david waredavid ware
    George: If it isn't fun and you are not motivated to do it, don't do it. You are still in the recovery stage and have a long career ahead so enjoy yourself and have fun with road riding, sky diving, whatever. When you are ready you will want to do it and it will be fun again. Don't think of it as wasting fitness; it is all part of the recovery, the game, the life...
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    George,

    I'd agree if you are not feeling it then just get out and do fun stuff for you.  If that's group rides then hit them up.  You have the distance so even if you decide up to about 6 weeks before you can drop in the a 1/2 IM plan and be ready assuming you just don't jump on the couch until then.  In any event you are not wasting your IM fitness just using it on other cool things. 

    As for the SAU's just be glad you are not doing the traditional long, slow training or you would be well out of credit or divorced. 

    Gordon

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    Take your new Madone and go ride the "Ring of Hades" w/ McSwain this summer.

    That will make you pine for the sweet, sweet days of HIM training!

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    If it sounds like fun, do it.

    If not, don't do it.

    Two good, high ROI things you can do, every week:

    1. Find a local running club and run a tempo run with them, especially if they have pacing groups. Start with a group 30" / miles faster than you and hang on as long as you can. Come back next week and do it again.
    2. Find a local club / ride and ride with them. Lots to learn here about group riding but just go out and get your ass handed to you...then go back next week, and the next, etc.

    Use these above to basically race yourself into better fitness, for free, while adding a fun social component. Meet more people who share your fitness lifestyle and gather quality training partners around yourself for when you really need them next season.

  • GSmith821GSmith821
    Thanks everyone...going on vacation next week and going to wait until after vacation to decide for sure... but I'm leaning towards Rich's post/suggestion.
    @David, you mean take some of my own advice I've given out. LOL Thanks for the rality check!
    @Gordon, sometimes the couch idea sounds very appealing, but I don't think that will happen...yet. I think I can hop into the HIM plan 6 weeks out as well. I'm about 10 weeks out right now. Good point about the LSD, zone 1-2 training would have lead to divorce.
    @Jeff, pining for HIM training sounds very masochistic. Maybe no ROH, yet. Lol
    @Rich, I think you've really hit a home run with that suggestion.
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    George, just be careful. Way too easy to fall into the trap of "I've got all this fitness, let's sign up for a bunch of stuff and roll it through the year!". Unfortunately, the body doesn't work that way, and it will give you a hard time if you ask it to keep building on lifetime best fitness indefinitely. Don't forget to give yourself some down time. The idea of a summer IM into a fall century into a winter marathon sounds great until you're in the middle of October and hating life.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Posted By Mike Graffeo on 10 Jul 2012 08:49 AM

    George, just be careful. Way too easy to fall into the trap of "I've got all this fitness, let's sign up for a bunch of stuff and roll it through the year!". Unfortunately, the body doesn't work that way, and it will give you a hard time if you ask it to keep building on lifetime best fitness indefinitely. Don't forget to give yourself some down time. The idea of a summer IM into a fall century into a winter marathon sounds great until you're in the middle of October and hating life.



    What are you TALKING ABOUT? I have NEVER done anything so DUMB as that???   Dowh!!! 

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