You are over-thinking this. Plan should be to get as fit as possible during the buildup to each of the races. If you can race the 70.3 with little taper and recovery time, you can use that 70.3 race as a hard workout leading into the full IM.

The race in itself is a fitness builder. Train for the IM if that's what matters, and just go out on the 70.3 for a hard supported confidence booster for IM Santa Rosa.

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New Training/Racing Log - http://www.earthdaykid.com/blog --- Old Training/Racing Log - http://colinlaughery.blogspot.com

Races are 11 weeks apart

I would use the first scenario and treat both races as "A" races

You're going to be training to your maximum sustainable volume for the Half anyway (at least you should be) so other than a little bit different intensity your training load will be nearly the same and you'll enjoy the half more by being better rested.

Basically agree with these guys. With 11 weeks, accounting for one week recovery and two weeks of taper, that gives you eight weeks. Which lends itself well to two 3-1 peak cycles.

Let's be honest, that's probably what WTC had in mind anyways. You can call them a lot of things (and people do), but 'dumb' is definitely not one of them.

Just to be clear on this:

Colin and I are suggesting different things.

He is suggesting to use the race with minimal rest and use it as a confidence builder
I'm suggesting to put "A" race status on it and taper for it.

Both can be done, both have their good points, our opinions on how to go about doing the half differ.

This may be the easiest question I'll answer all week ;-)

-Train specifically for, peak & freshen for the 70.3 ... I'd even advise an OD race 4-7 weeks before as well
-Take a BREAK after the 70.3 ... VERY light sessions for 7 days... maybe a long EASY 3-4hr ride the weekend after
-THEN start your build to your late July race (most athletes start their build up much too soon)

Just wrote a small piece that may give you some insight: http://www.dklatourette.blogspot.com

EDIT ... I should add, I'd strongly consider getting away from a plan that has a "3 weeks on / 1 week down" system ... too many athlete can;t truly handle 3 weeks AND 7 days "down" is not necessary or effective

BTW - I live n Santa Rosa

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Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com

Thanks guys. I think I will go for the "Two Peaks" plan, train specifically for the 70.3 and then transition into Build for the 140.6 event.

I like this approach as it will probably give me more "speed" from the 70.3 build where I dedicate the last two months on endurance at or near that speed.

If you're fit, and it sounds like that is your plan, then one needs somewhere between 6-12 weeks of specific IM focused training to do well in an IM.

I didn't bother to click on the graph you embedded but I can think of 4-6 different ways to skin that cat so you're racing both races to your fitness potential

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta