I’m going to IM Canada 8/24, and debating whether to race at Muncie (1/2 IM, flat, usually hot) on 7/12. Muncie is a race I’ve always enjoyed, and it’s an hour from my house so travel problems are minimal. I’d like to use it as an evaluation of my readiness for Canada, but I wonder if that’s enough time between the two. If I have to sacrifice anything, it would be Muncie this year - Canada is top priority.
Quick summary of my 1/2 IM & up experience level:
IM finishes - one, Pineman 2002, 16:33
1/2 IM finishes - three, Muncie 99, 00, 02- best 7:10
Goal for Canada - best case, 16:00, but anything under 16:59:59 would work.
I’d like to get some opinions from those of you with experience and knowledge at this distance - hoping you can point out some factors I may not have considered.
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Muncie is a great race. I did the 00 and 02 race as well. Can you recall how from those two races how long the post recovery went? Ready to rock by mid August? The other question that comes to mind is your approach to the race. Racing it is one thing, using it as a training prep for Canada is another. If you stay within yourself and see it as preps, then it might serve you well. It would be an excellent way to test out any remaining nutrition or pacing issues.
you’ll be perfectly fine doing a half 6 weeks out. Did a half 6 weeks out from IMF this year and had a great Ironman. Work on your pacing and race day nutrition in the half and don’t overdo it
I did eagleman half ironman 7 weeks before IMLP and thought it was great for my training. just make sure you incorporate a rest week (5 days worked for me) after the race to ensure you body is ready for the rest of your training.
as a counterpoint to the excellent responces, mr strauss has pointed two potential reasons againx st this plan toconsider - which in my view and limite experience make some sense.
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go too hard and you will adversely affect your ability to really finely approach your IM. you still want to be doing quality work at this time, and this is potentially jeopardized by a too hard 1/2 Im effort and its recovery.
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use it as a “training day” and it is not hard ENOUGH. a 1/2 IM done at IM speed is really a walk in the park. you can fake it through if you want. it will not actually reflect you IM experience or needs, and so the simulation is not so accurate.
finally, there is the potential for injury, cost, etc. if the IM and its huge cost is REALLY your focus is the 1/2 IM REALLY the best way to prepare ??? don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly doable and a good/fun plan if you like - just thought i would note these points, for conversation’s sake - i found them interesting at least. tim
I did Muncie before doing IMC in 2000. The six-week spacing is just about perfect.
One thing, though: Don’t use Muncie as a benchmark for how prepared you are for IMC. An event is but one day in the continuum of many training days, and some days are better than others. I had a lousy day at Muncie (and at Gulf Coast earlier that year), probably because I didn’t taper much for them. IMC, however, was the best day of triathlon I’ve ever had.
David
A more experienced IM competitor could adequately recover in 6 weeks. However, given your times, you would be better off skipping the 1/2 and keeping on your training plan for IMC.
I did a 1/2 IM last year 5 weeks before Ultramax, and ended up with a sore knee that made me layoff my long bikes leading up to Ultramax. If I could do it again I would just say no. It is to hard to just go an not “race” and treat it like a training day.
Someone on this forum said yesterday “Your biggest gains are made in the off-season” I believe it was in the motivation thread. That was excellent advice and leads to this: If your preparation and base training has been solid and you’ve done your homework I think Muncie 6 weeks before Canada is perfect preparation. I think, depending on your resistance to injury and preparation, it may be very important. My .02.
6 weeks should be sufficient with proper nutrition and recovery/rest. I did this this year prior to IMFL.
Hey, lookit me! On topic even!