So I just signed up for my first Ironman and it will be IMTX next year. And I was trying to plan races around that, for tune up races. I would like to do 70.3 Texas to just test Rae nutrition and strategy but due to Easter they moved the race to April 26th in 2015. That now puts it 3 weeks out from IMTX. Is that too close? I appreciate all the help and advice.
The answer is “it depends” on your training, your abilities as an athlete, how hard you go, what you do the prep race and how fast you generally recover and what are your expectations for the first IM. I would go for it myself, but I have a fair amount of racing experience.
For me, I usually try to do my last 70.3 around 6 weeks before race day. IIRC, 3 weeks out I’m doing my last big ride and run.
What I have done 3 weeks out, though, is race and then do an extra run afterwards to get additional miles in
I guess it all depends on your going in fitness, how hardyou push and goals for each race.
I personally like to push my last 70.3 pretty hard so I wouldn’t do it
Are you willing to travel? 70.3 FL is 5 weeks out from IM Texas.
A big training-weekend or a 70.3-race is what I prefer to do two weeks ahead of an Ironman, three weeks should be fine for you I think. But as mentioned, it depends on your racing-experiences and your ability to recover. I’ve been in the sport for a pretty long time.
/CE
I would have no issues doing a 70.3 three weeks before an IM but YMMV.
I plan to do both. I have a great base from this year now, I have done both of those races twice in the past, with a few more weeks between them. Just make sure you have a good base going into the year, recover smart from the 70.3, and you should be fine. The 70.3 race is flat, windy one way on the bike, and usually warm.
That now puts it 3 weeks out from IMTX. Is that too close?
I did an HIM 4 weeks out from Ironman Chattanooga. I did my longest ride and run 3 weeks out, so that wouldn’t have fit into my training plan.
That now puts it 3 weeks out from IMTX. Is that too close?
I did an HIM 4 weeks out from Ironman Chattanooga. I did my longest ride and run 3 weeks out, so that wouldn’t have fit into my training plan.
If you did your longest ride and run 4-5 weeks out, then the half IM 3 weeks out would slot in nicely as you’d be ramping down the volume and jacking up intensity anyway.