So I think I need to take a few days off with some knee pain. The thing is, I have an important sprint tri 2 weeks from this Sunday. I wanted to train hard throughout this week and next and then do an easy taper week leading into the race.
My issue is, it’s too far from the race to extend my taper yet not far enough away I feel to take some time off then build back up. So what do you do when you are forced to take time off during this odd period a few weeks before a short race?
Rest. STRETCH. HYDRATE. I can tell you that increasing flexibility will increase your performance more than you think (at this point it could be compared to the extra few days of training).
99% of triathletes (or athletes in general) don’t stretch enough.
I would try to get your heartrate up to your race pace at least once a day, and would do short bursts of what your projected speed will be in the race, but don’t do anything taxing (as in, you would feel the next day).
I am asking about timing though. I have 18 days until the race.
Was hoping to train 12, taper 4, Friday before the race completely off, Saturday something short and fast, Sunday race.
What do I do with my next 12 days and if I take the first 3-4 as recovery days should I then use the first day or two of my projected taper to get some speed work in that I missed?
Sorry I wasn’t clear about that. Don’t worry about it. If you’ve put the training in so far, 3 day of easy won’t have you ill-prepared.
Just be wary that on your first day back you’ll probably feel really good, so don’t set yourself up for injury by going too hard. I would just put a little extra effort on 8-9 days that you will be training (but not enough to flare up the knee or other problems).
I wouldn’t take Friday completely off… Friday and Saturday something short and fast, unless you have a social obligation.
If you are hurt, you are hurt. I trained my butt off for this season for the last year. 6 weeks ago I started into all my big races but
hurt myself with leg lifts and basically could not run. So, I had a couple of choices. Do nothing, which I did not like.
Not do any run training and go to the race and see what happens. Or try to train like normal, and probably end my season.
So, I took the middle. If it meant I walked the runs, who cares, this is all for fun.
Health is MORE important than any short term race.
Dave
Hey SWBkRn44… I know you want someone to tell you that it is OK to train through an injury so I will not beat a dead horse from the other thread you started re: your IT band issues BUT, is it all really worth it to push yourself until you have to take months off from training instead of just days? This is a frustration that anyone in the health-care world deals with on a daily basis. Why is it that you will not just bite the bullet and go see a professional who deals with this sort of injury? I hope that you do not think that this forum, although seemingly “all knowing” at times, can give you better advice? c’mon now… go see someone for this and you may be surprised with the result. Good luck! ERIK
No, no, not at all. Actually trying to do the smart thing here and take some time off, I spoke with an orthopod buddy during the day and everything. My foam roller, ice, etc. are all waiting for me at home 
I am just wondering how to change my training schedule as this is far enough from a race to get some training afterwards, yet close enough that I am worried about losing 3-4 of my last 12 available training days.
I did not mean to jump the gun there! I just have your best interest at heart and know what it is like to be on both sides of the fence. I wish you the best with your recovery and let us all know how it turns out. ERIK