I know this has probably been asked many times before but I can’t find any good threads using the search - so if you want to just point me to one feel free. I am considering doing Timberman three weeks out from Rev3 Cedar Point. If this is a bad idea let me know. If you think it’s all alright, how do you think I should structure the 3 weeks between races?
I know there is no magic formula here but just kicking around the idea and would appreciate the input of others who have maybe done this before.
I’m doing the same thing, except 4 weeks apart. I look at it as a long training day. It may be a bad idea, but we’ll find out. My coach is all for it so that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m doing pigman on 8/22 and IMWI on 9/12. I’ve never done a half this close to an IM, but if you train properly and race it properly I don’t think it is to big of a deal.
Really depends on your goals for each race. I did my first IM last year with a goal of just “to finish”. I raced an HIM only two weeks before the IM because my training called for a 50 m bike and 8 mile run that weekend anyway, so I figured what the heck. The HIM was a blast because I was in such good shape and cruised to a 5:28 finish. I did the France Ironman two weeks later with a 13:50 finish - mainly because the bike has 11K feet of climbing and I was taking it super slow. Although many friends thought I was wasting $250 for HIM entry fee since I wasn’t really “racing” the HIM, but I still enjoyed it and was very recovered and confident going into my first full IM. The biggest risk you run is an injury and you don’t want to gamble away all the prep for a full on racing just a half. If you don’t have a history of injury and don’t mind the gamble, then just go for it. You gain more experience with every “race” you do.
if you are asking this question, i would guess you AREN’T in the running for the CASH prizes. so i would say you are doing this as a hobby and get some amount of enjoyment out of this. if the enjoyment stems from the challenge then i would say GO FOR IT! if the enjoyment stems from being competitive then i would say pick one to RACE and one to play.
if you are really TRAINED for a full distance then a half isn’t going to mess you up 3 weeks out. i have a half scheduled for every month this season. and honestly i am shopping for a couple more to fill in the other weeks. that’s what is great about halves.
Do it (unless you are racing for podium/money)! I’m doing Timberman 70.3 and then two weeks later doing Esprit Ironman distance in Montreal. Plan is to go at my IM pace for the 70.3.
Do it!!! and hell, if you’re there why not try to do it well. I guess it all depends on the kind of athlete you are and what your goals are but, I personally, have had some success linking ultra distance events back to back to back in fairly quick order. I did a 1/2 three weeks before a Full which was two weeks before a 1/2 mary which was three weeks before a 26.2. Had no problems but you NEED to be on top of your nutrition and might I sudgest massages…lots of them.
Do it…3 weeks before an IM you should be doing race simulations and a 70.3 fits perfectly. A few things to keep in mind:
(1) PACE YOURSELF, remember that the 70.3 is not your A race, set a pace for SBR and stick to it all the way. If you plan to average 21 mph on the bike, do the same in the 70.3, if you expect to run in 4:00, pace yourself at 9/mile for 13.1.
(2) Test your nutrition/hydration for the IM, see what works for you, how many calories you can take, etc.
Do it…3 weeks before an IM you should be doing race simulations and a 70.3 fits perfectly. A few things to keep in mind:
(1) PACE YOURSELF, remember that the 70.3 is not your A race, set a pace for SBR and stick to it all the way. If you plan to average 21 mph on the bike, do the same in the 70.3, if you expect to run in 4:00, pace yourself at 9/mile for 13.1.
(2) Test your nutrition/hydration for the IM, see what works for you, how many calories you can take, etc.
Thanks so much for all the advice.
After reading all the responses I am leaning towards going for it. As a few of you gathered, I like to compete but realistically am not in the running for cash, clearwater, or kona slots.
It is 3 days since finishing Eagleman right now and I’m feeling pretty recovered save for some sunburn and a couple blisters. I have also done Timberman once before but when I was mostly training on flat land. I have been doing a lot more hill riding and running this year and so would like to give Timberman another go. I guess if I was not to race Timberman I would be doing a long/tough brick that weekend anyway and probably would end up feeling in a similar state come Monday morning regardless. And having another test for the nutrition plan is definitely a plus.
Just one follow up question - when would be the best time for massage? Immediately after Timberman?
I’m doing pigman on 8/22 and IMWI on 9/12. I’ve never done a half this close to an IM, but if you train properly and race it properly I don’t think it is to big of a deal.
Pigman is my local race, I’m in Cedar Rapids. I had that exact debate, whether or not I’d do pigman half this year 3 weeks before IMWI.
I decided not to, I was not worried about the half being too much that close to the race, I was more worried about it just “too different” that close to IMWI, i.e. racing a half is not what I should be worrying about that weekend. My plan is to do my final race rehearsal that weekend which is much more valuable to me than racing a half. I’ve never done an IM before and my RR’s are critical to nail my pacing and nutrition strategies, things that are very tailored to the IM distance.
Anyway, like everyone else said, it depends on your goals and your experience. There are certainly worse things you could do, personally I weighed the options and decided not too, but thats just me.
There are a few here who forget the supercompensation you get 2-4 weeks after a longer distance race.
Doing it or not depends on your fitness and recovery capacity.
The way to do it is to NOT taper for the half. Maybe one easy day, not more. Make sure you go into the race while not being sharp, and then do the race at a 100% effort (otherwise you can better train). You might be surprised how many over tapered athletes you can outrun in the last 10 k of the run this way. Then do the days after the half very short and easy recovery training, works much better then massage. Do not do complete rest days. Don’t get too excited and do long slow stuff the days after the race. Then probably you should do 7-10 days before the ironman a longerish and easy training day.
If the 140.6 is your main goal, then speaking from experience, I wouldn’t race the half 3 weeks before. I did exactly that last year, and had great 70.3 race, but a disappointing Ironman race. Recovering from the 70.3 may impact your preparation for the full distance.