Cramming for an Ironman?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have been training for IMCDA since October. The last two weeks though, my life has become hectic with family emergencies and work that I have not been putting in nearly enough miles/hours/yards in as I should. I know I am at crunch time right now and everything has finally calmed down in my life. Am I best to just beat the hell out of myself (not to the point of injury) and put in as much as I can so when I taper, it really is a taper??? I feel like I have already tapered, but I am fearful that I have not put in enough mileage, etc. The longest run is 18 miles and the longest bike is 90 miles and I really am not too concerned about the swim. Any advice is greatly appreciated. BTW, I feel healthy right now so I would not be aggravating an injury if I started to ‘hit it hard’ for the next weeks to come. Thank you in advance.

3

Thanks for the input. I hear that this is a great race. Hopefully not as hot as last year!!! Thanks again.

4

Let me qualify this by first saying I am definately NOT an authority on Ironman preparation. I have done four IM’s with a PR of about 10:42 something. My last IM was about 10 weeks ago in NZ at 11:17 something.

Having said that, I guess there are three approaches you could take:

  1. Decide to enter the race in '05 and continue your training. There is wisdom and also lunacy in this. Maybe you will have another emergency in '05? The nature of these things is you never know when they are going happen- thats why they’re called emergencies.

  2. Go to the race with what you’ve got and enjoy the experience. Bear in mind most people at the start would probably say they ar not as prepared as they’d like to be. Do the best you can with what you’ve got and enjoy the day. The hardest part (as you’ve discovered) is getting to the start line, not the finish line.

  3. Sequester yourself like a monk and hit it hard. Big mileage, big rest, perfect diet, no distractions, two massages a week, 10 hours sleep a night- live, eat and breth it until race day. Tough on your other obligations, but you’ll gain some fitness (provided you are as proactive about your recovery and nutrition as you are about your mileage)and you’ll also “get your head right” in the process. When you toe the start line you’ll feel you put in a good effort in preparing despite your obstacles.

In any event, I feel for you and wish you the very best of luck in your worthy and courageous endeavor.

5

I’m not going to waste time by telling you my qualifications. I know what I’m talking about, and would consider myself qualified.

You did not give any background about your prior training -

If you are a total rookie, and are looking at just finishing in 14+ hours - and you normally ony train 6-12 hours per week here is what I suggest: Sure, up your mileage a bit for the next 2 weeks and then taper. I won’t really matter, because you are just trying to get to the line.

If you are a more devoted hard-core dude that was training 15-25+/hrs per week prior to the 2 weeks “off”, the rest probably did you a surprising amount of good, and will not hinder your performance. If you have a strong base, go for it. Hit it with some serious high volume for the next 2 weeks, and you will reap the rewards on race day. The key is to be sure that you closely monitor your INTENSITY. KEEP THE INTENSITY LOW, but the VOLUME HIGH.

If you are neither of the above, perhaps somewhere in between, then train somewhere in between.

6

I vote #3. I just resigned. Just kidding. I work for an incredible company that will support me in my training. I am going after #3. That is what I wanted to hear, but wanted to ask someone that was better versed than I. I apreciate all of your help.

7

Zip,

Thanks for the advice. I consider myself somewhere in between as far as how much training I have done. I am a rook and I had some time goals in mind until I took some time off. Now, finishing and having fun are my goals, plus I want to spend the night in my hotel room and not the hospital!!! Great advice. Thank you very much.

8

I’m in the same boat for a half IM (eagleman) in June. My winter and most of my spring were great but the last 3-4 weeks have been terrible. I haven’t been on a long ride in about 3 weeks. I’m hoping I have enough fitness in the tank to make it through without killing myself. I’m worried because this is my first long course and I’m positive I’m undertrained. Good luck.

9

Same to you. You will do fine. I am just going out to have fun!!!