Anyone have any experience in racing two IM’s in back to back weekends? Tips?
I wish I had money like that.
I did it, and ended up in the emergency room after passing out at mile 21 on the second one. Not a good idea at all.
Secure a spot in ER and no you will not be racing the second, you will be attempting to complete it at best. Love incredible courage or stupidity depends on how you look at it.
Ask Daniela Ryf. http://www.triathlete.com/2016/07/ironman/daniela-ryf-racing-second-iron-distance-race-7-days_134631
It is better…
To do one thing well, than two things badly.
To do one thing badly, than two things badly.
To do one thing well, than one thing well and one thing badly.
To do one thing well, than two things mediocre.
In this cases- it won’t be possible to do two things well.
Ask Daniela Ryf. http://www.triathlete.com/2016/07/ironman/daniela-ryf-racing-second-iron-distance-race-7-days_134631
Interesting point.
If the OP is as physically prepared as Daniela Ryf.
Can recover as well as Daniela Ryf.
And has similar financial incentives to Daniela Ryf.
I would say he should go for it.
Otherwise maybe not.
Obligatory tip- use an elliptical machine on the 2nd one
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I’ve done it - two fairly different courses (Vineman before IM bought it and Boulder were on consecutive weekends in 2015) but ended up roughly 35 minutes faster at Boulder than Vineman. I think if you don’t “race” either of them that it’s totally doable, but it really depends on how fast you recover, travel time, racing vs. participating, etc.
Anyone have any experience in racing two IM’s in back to back weekends? Tips?
plan it for 5 years from now. spend this year building up volume to 25 hours a week, next year to 30 a week, the year after to 40 a week, the year after make sure you’re doing more specific/speed drills, the year after build to 45 a week and taper.
plan to see a physio once a month for checkups, massage therapist weekly for tuneups. don’t skimp on food, sleep 8 hours a night.
don’t get hit by car.
i assume if you can build up volume to what pros do, you can do fairly well.
if you decide to go ahead, then make sure you use a run/walk protocol for #1, otherwise you won’t really recover for #2. If you run/walk from the very start of #1, and you are well prepared that will make things easier for you. For me, being “well prepared” will mean multiple consistent weeks of 60 mpw running, otherwise I would not do it - too much recovery cost and #2 will be miserable.
You need to look at IM number 2 as a long training day and don’t expect a PR. You need to decide if you are racing IM number 1 all out and then just showing up to IM number 2 and suffering through it, or if you are holding back at IM 1 so that IM number 2 doesn’t suck as much but still not close to PR. Theres a lot of training you can do with back to back long days and high volume weeks to simulate consecutive Ironmans, but to be honest this may be overkill for 2 IMs a week apart. Id just race IM 1 then show up to IM 2, expect it to suck and suffer through it knowing you wont be setting any PRs. As Rob said above, run/walk is a great way to not kill yourself during IM 1 and save something for IM 2.
Don’t listen to the naysayers… if you want to do it, then do it.
Of course it’s possible.
Are you going to KQ doing it? I doubt this is your objective.
Is it smart? Who cares.
Do it for whatever reason you think its a good idea.
Doing stupid hard stuff makes you better.
I’ve done a full IM followed by a half IM the next weekend. It was fine. I was hunting for a PR at the full and got it and did the half just for “fun”. Went fine. Go for it and have fun.
Just make sure to wear your finisher shirt from the first one at the second race so everyone knows what a badass you are (pink).
I’ve done it a couple times. I would say don’t plan on PRing any of them.
Recovery is the most important. After the first race I take a day off, loosen up swim on day 2, little jog on day 3, swim day 4, day 5 make sure the bike is still in working order with a little spin, day 6 a little swim at the second venue.
Important to make sure you rehdyrate, light massage and/or recovery pants, and replace any minerals you lost in the first race.
Sounds epic. Ignore the naysayers.
Anyone have any experience in racing two IM’s in back to back weekends? Tips?
plan it for 5 years from now. spend this year building up volume to 25 hours a week, next year to 30 a week, the year after to 40 a week, the year after make sure you’re doing more specific/speed drills, the year after build to 45 a week and taper.
…
i assume if you can build up volume to what pros do, you can do fairly well…
LOL who trains volume like that?
Anyone have any experience in racing two IM’s in back to back weekends? Tips?
plan it for 5 years from now. spend this year building up volume to 25 hours a week, next year to 30 a week, the year after to 40 a week, the year after make sure you’re doing more specific/speed drills, the year after build to 45 a week and taper.
…
i assume if you can build up volume to what pros do, you can do fairly well…
LOL who trains volume like that?
Double that. No pro I know.
my personal experience
coming from lot of racing, back to back weekends, 3 marathons in a row or 2x HIM in a row. mentally experienced let’s say
then 2 years ago I did my main Ironman of the season and it happened to be in a 90deg day where i usually under perform worse than others. ended up to be a disaster and run/walk the marathon since I was boiled.
went back home disappointed and in the following 48hrs I started thinking…I need a revenge, I am super prepared, i can’t leave this opportunity behind me. There was another Ironman driving distance from where I live in the next weekend.
so I said, let’s go. I am very motivated and I didnt give all last sunday.
went there, super swim, fairly good bike…i started running, until km10 going very well and then my minded stopped working. my legs were paralyzed and I decided to quit. no way i was going to move further inch forward. took off my chip and went home.
cant explain that feeling but my mind decided to stop. physically i was not in pain or whatever. just wanted to go home
I have only this experience which probably though me to not try it again in my life
Risk that you throw away money is high but also that you compromise your health
Just stay off the elliptical during the marathon of #2.
(terrible idea but kudos if you’re a masochist and into this sort of thing)