So, after my IMLP debacle, I was thinking of doing the Great Buckeye Half on August 19th. Its exactly 4 weeks after IMLP. I rode 23 miles yesterday…my first exercise since the IM (which ended for me at mile 14 of the run/walk/stagger). My legs felt great during the bike, but later during a casual walk around the neighborhood they felt really fatiqued. Do I need to take more time off, or is 4 weeks plenty of time to recover and race again? They also have an Oly length race at the same day. Thanks!
Sounds like you could do it. It all depends. Some people can race again soon after an IM, others can not. Physically you can gain some fitness from your IM taper and race. But, you could also be out of whack from the race and that takes some time to get over. So, psychologically you need to be ready for it because it could hurt to race again so soon. Do it for the right reasons, not the wrong one’s.
just remember to ramp it up slowly. You took 4wks off, that’s a long time. So I wouldn’t start with a brick, just stand alone stuff and ramp back up slowly and easily, it should come back
I’ve done this twice with LP and timberman. The first time I didn’t take my recovery seriously enough and trained too hard leading up to the half, it was a bit of a disaster. The second time went very well. The advice my coach gave me was that I had my base and it would hold, so there’s no need to go real long before the half just build in more intensity.
Depends on you. I did the 70.3 Championships the next weekend after IMFL last year and PR’ed (as most did on the Clearwater course) for 70.3. I’m an MOP’er though, so I’m not going full-tilt like you might be.
Well, i’m not sure how to put this but the fact is that you didn’t actually do an Ironman. 4 weeks between a full and a half is doable but you needn’t worry about that. Just look at IMLP as a nice long, catered training day in preparation for the Great Buckeye Half. You should be fine–you’ll probably have a great race!