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question about taper
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I am racing St George 70.3 on May 1st. According to my coach and training schedule I am in my 2 week taper. The question Ii have is for this weekend (Saturday) I have on schedule a mini race.
1 hour swim
2.5 hr ride
1.25 hr run.
That is 4.75 hrs total for a race simulation. 1 week before the race.
This seems to me like it is a little much. My expected time to finish St George is around 6 hrs.

Am I missing something here or am I overreacting to the big training day?

Thank you in advance
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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2 weeks of taper is crazy long for a 70.3

My guess is your coach is getting a status check of paces and fatigue levels before starting to pull the reins back a little into a full blown 1 week taper leading into the race.

Cheers, Ray
Last edited by: TX83: Apr 22, 21 9:18
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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I use taper to shed fatigue. I normally gauge it by my how my legs feel while walking up 2 flights of stairs.

If I feel at all tired by the time I reach the top, I'm still carrying fatigue.

If I still felt it then I would shorten the planned workout the weekend before the race. If I felt fine I might do it.
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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for a week out of a 70.3, that doesn't seem too bad. my two cents (I'm not a coach) - make sure you take the run easy and emphasize your recovery, i.e. post-race nutrition, massage/rollers, rest, etc.

the world's still turning? >>>>>>> the world's still turning
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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2 week taper for a 70.3/

That's is a bigger problem than the Sat workout.

Btw...did you ask your coach?

http://www.pbmcoaching.com
USA Triathlon Level 3 Elite Coach
USA Cycling Level 1 Elite Coach

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Re: question about taper [trukweaz] [ In reply to ]
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I guess looking at my week the 2 week taper is really just an extra day off with total time a TSS the same as every other week.
Yes I have asked my coach, I thought I would reach out here while I waited his response.
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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In my books it is a big day, but depends on how well you recover from such a workout.

In general I go with 2hr ride on the sat with some race pace work and a 1hr run on the Sun, assuming a Sun day race. Mon would be a day off or an easy swim. This just works for me and many of the athletes I work with. I prefer to do do a little less than a little more as I know I can recover quicker from a little less.

Different athletes need different things, some need to keep volume ticking over, others need a big cut in volume.

If you have a race that you have performed well in previously, what did you use then? There's a good chance it about right for you.

http://www.tri-monkey.co.uk
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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a lot depends on HOW GOOD your build up was.

If you have the depth/CTL to handle it, then that workout will just "disappear" into your bathtub of fitness and make you better.

If not, then yes you will be tired and then the impetus will be on absorbing it via food, hydration, soft tissue work, sleep etc etc.

Im sure your coach will say the same thing.

good luck at StG.

http://www.pbmcoaching.com
USA Triathlon Level 3 Elite Coach
USA Cycling Level 1 Elite Coach

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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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My guess is he wants to set up goal HR ranges for race day. IMO, that would've been better two weeks out. You questioning it might play a bigger role race day. If you're already mentally fatigued because of this workout you will mentally let yourself down on race day. A positive mental state can overcome some unshed fatigue. Talk to your coach then go have a positively great race.

http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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Have you raced before? If you never raced before, simulating one the week before may not be that wise.

Have you raced back-to-back weekends of 70.3s/Oly/Sprint distance tris before? If you raced tired or without recovery on the 2nd weekend, then you may not be overreacting.

Have you shown up for a race and raced poorly because you over-trained going into the race? If yes, what was your taper plan on subsequent races to prevent being over-trained?

How did you compete in previous races when you doubted your preparation going into race day? And how did you modify your taper to arrive confident at your next race?

St. George will be cold before the sun rises, undulating on the bike, and the run will challenge you with its steep hills for about about 25% of the course with no shelter from the elements, and be hot and dry. How do you want to arrive? With confidence, power, endurance, and appetite to race next weekend?

Be honest to yourself with your answers, then you'll know the answer to your own question.

https://www.palmtreesahead.com/
https://www.palmtreesahead.com/tactics2faster-new
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Re: question about taper [djmsbr] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you everyone for the responses.

I talked with my coach and he also thought it my be a little bit too long of a day.
he shortened the total workout time for the day . So it is 2/3 the time of my projected race finish.
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Re: question about taper [USATRI] [ In reply to ]
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How did the taper and race turnout? Lot of great talent and a lot of triathletes showed up to race.
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