Let’s say a non-athlete MOP was in reasonable condition, had a significant injury requiring many weeks complete inactivity, and is now in a wholly untrained state.
The MOP has done a couple of IMs before, but its been a few years.
What’s the minimum number of training weeks the MOP would need to just finish an IM in a relatively healthy state, at which point an attempt to transfer to a later (far less desirable) race would be advisable?
I’ve been healthy and constantly training for years and I wouldn’t do an IM unless I had about 40 weeks of lead time in the schedule.
Wow. I wonder if you are conservative … or smart. Likely both.
The IM is currently 17 weeks away; it’s a 1st-year event, so a bit special in that regard.
It might be out of reach.
You likely would be able to finish it. Pacing will be important and likely you will be walking the marathon. So kind of on par for many IMers.
I’m just taking a shot in the dark here, but you probably could finish it but you will be BOP. Plan on walking a lot of the marathon, and my only piece of real advice would be to not increase your run mileage too quickly and risk hurting yourself. Just build it slowly and consistently and whatever distance long run you get to before your race will have to do!
Are you currently overweight?
I’d say 0.
I’ve not fully recovered yet, so will be less than 17 weeks unless this week is much better than last.
That’s why I was interested in the minimal number, so I’d know how much time I have left to recover before would need to alter my schedule.
Thanks.
You likely would be able to finish it. Pacing will be important and likely you will be walking the marathon. So kind of on par for many IMers.
Are you currently overweight?
I suppose that’s one silver lining - no.
I’m struggling to take in sufficient calories right now, but my body isn’t yet ready to start training.
I’m trying to formulate backup plans, if not ready by N weeks then pull the trigger on XYZ.
Thanks.
Are you currently overweight?
I suppose that’s one silver lining - no.
I’m struggling to take in sufficient calories right now, but my body isn’t yet ready to start training.
I’m trying to formulate backup plans, if not ready by N weeks then pull the trigger on XYZ.
Thanks.
If you aren’t fully recovered, focus on that rather then any specific race… Once you are healthy, you can race again… If you push yourself too early, you very easily could end up back in the hospital in much worse shape then you are now…
What’s the rush to do an IM? Why don’t you get yourself into a healthy place where you can train normally, and then figure out what race you are going to do. Seems like you are trying to put the cart in front of the horse by picking a race and then trying to figure out how you can get healthy for it.
I think the chances of you finishing the IM are excellent, the only real variables are how miserable you are willing to become during and after the race. I think you need to go to a very dark, quiet space and ask yourself a very personal question: “why am I doing this race?” IM races are not exactly rare any more, there’s always another in a few weeks or months time. If the answer comes back that you should be doing the IM in question, then just do your best and enjoy the day for what it is. You probably already know this, but no one in the real world gives a shit whether you do the IM in 9 hours or 17. Have fun. Enjoy.
PS the other downside of signing up for the race and then trying to get healthy is that you are likely going to make decisions that are not in line with returning to full health in order to prepare yourself for the impending race.
I’m already signed up for Boulder.
WTC now offers a transfer option, with significant constraints.
What’s the rush to do an IM? Why don’t you get yourself into a healthy place where you can train normally, and then figure out what race you are going to do. Seems like you are trying to put the cart in front of the horse by picking a race and then trying to figure out how you can get healthy for it.
17 weeks is LP - that is a tough course without a solid aerobic base. IF that is where you are give it real thought.
I may have miscounted. It is IM Boulder, the week after LP.
Which is supposed to be easy, or hard, or both depending on who comments.
But, I think, not very hilly - which probably makes it easier on a short training plan.
17 weeks is LP - that is a tough course without a solid aerobic base. IF that is where you are give it real thought.
I’d be curious as to your previous IM times fully trained. If those are in the 14-15 hour range, then I’d say you are probably screwed. On the other hand, if your previous times are around 12-13 hours, then I would think you would have the base to get there. If you can beat the swim cut off and lay down a 6 to 7 hour bike, you will have plenty of time for the marathon to finish. Like the others have said, though, you are probably looking at walking most of the marathon.
Spot
some people are interested in your prior times, some in your general state of fitness. i’m more interested to know . . .why the hell does any of it matter? you say you’ve done more than one IM, so it’s not a bucket list thing, per se. You’re clearly not going to be faster than your prior, well trained, times, unless there is some anomoly. you’re not trying to peak to go to Kona so what is the point, really, in taking ANY risk to your LT health? Why not just get healthier and then, once healthy, get fit, to do whatever races you want. Not trying to lecture you, as you can obviously do whatever you want, but curious to know the motivation here - when something went “wrong enough” to have you bedridden for weeks.
I had a similar scenario. Two separate back to back slow resolving kidney stone issues that knocked me out of training more than 3 months. I had 19 weeks to make it happen, it was plenty.
Gale Bernhardt 13 weeks to 13 hrs has a starting week of the firsst weekly totals of 3hr swim…3:15hr bike…2:30hr run see this old thread
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=225807
Mark Allen had a 18 week wher weekly totals started at 17 weeks are swim 3x for weekly total of 8,000yrds bike 3x weekly total 5hrs and run 4x total 2hrs:55min
have to run, can probably find both plane somewhere at home
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I can see that being relevant. 13:06 for my 1st but cramped in the heat (or biked too hard, tho didn’t feel it - lots of people struggling in the heat for this one) throughout the run.
So I tell myself I can easily do 12 something, but likely we all tell ourselves we can be faster.
Thanks for the perspective.
I’d be curious as to your previous IM times fully trained. If those are in the 14-15 hour range, then I’d say you are probably screwed. On the other hand, if your previous times are around 12-13 hours, then I would think you would have the base to get there. If you can beat the swim cut off and lay down a 6 to 7 hour bike, you will have plenty of time for the marathon to finish. Like the others have said, though, you are probably looking at walking most of the marathon.
Spot