Similar topics have been covered and I apologize for that but here goes. Long time lurker, always half-ass a few races each summer and '06 is my comeback year. Already signed for IMLP '06 (IMFLA '99 12:20), and have also wanted to do the NYCtri since it started- I live 20 mins outside NY. This year they are a week apart so my question is- how stupid would it be to “race” NYCtri 1 week before IMLP? Fire away
if you care about your performance at imlp, i would recommend not doing it. you will be tempted to go out hard b/c of the short distances, and with the heat, humidity, water pollution problems, and risk of injury, and lack of enough recovery time, i would say hold off on the nyc tri…there is always next year for the olympic
I was gonna post this same question, since i’ve raced NYC the last 2 years with some success (and it’s my favorite race) and am signed on for LP.
I would say if IMLP is your ‘A’ race and you’re gunning for it then I wouldn’t do NYC. If it isn’t, and you are very fit (or disciplined enough to throttle back a bit) then I would say go for it.
But I would recommend doing NYC at least once, especially if you live so close. Swimming in the Hudson isn’t that bad, and the bike/run are absolutely awesome.
Only if you have the self control to do it in Z1.
I would say don’t do it. Not because you wouldn’t be recovered, but just because of the “Sh!t Happens” philosophy. If you crash your bike, bike gets damaged in transition, anything, it could ruin IMLP for you and it’s not worth the risk. I did LP this summer and it took a lot of self control not to do my favorite local sprint the weekend before. I wasn’t worried about recovery or anything, but I was tight on funds and couldn’t afford to have something happened to my gear a week before my biggest race. Granted something could happen in training, but risks increase during races.
It’s risky but can be done.
I did a flat olympic a week out a few years back and went all out until the 5k mark of the run and then somewhat jogged it in, looking behind me to make sure my finishing position was safe. I also did vey little the next 6 days - but I did pr Placid going sub 10 so go figure.
Can be done - but I prob won’t risk it again. I’d try a sprint tri 7 days out, though.
Go back and read all the pollution threads on the NYC tri. Sure, not that many people got sick, but you’re certainly significantly increasing your risk.
It’s a big, popular race, it’ll be there next year.
I am registered for IMLP as well and thus it is my “A” race fro 2006. If you are really serious about it and plan on it being your “A” race you should really consider the one-two weeks up to IMLP (as a minimum) for your taper and thus forget about the NYC tri. You definitely have more to lose than gain by racing a week out from an IM distance event.
Thank you for all the well-thought out replies. While I do consider IMLP to be my “A” race, I’m still on the fence regarding the NYC tri. My gut feeling is I want to do both, but I was curious to hear other peoples thoughts and concerns. Logic says it’s a bad idea- although most training plans still have a solid training day 7 days out. Truth is- I don’t think I’m fast enough to really stress about the “potential” performance drop at IM- and would rather enjoy doing both races.
Thank you again for the replies.
An Olympic two weeks out would probably be good (That’s my plan for IMLP). The Fairlee Great Triathlon in Vermont fits the bill and is in my opinion the second best race in theortheast (after Tiberman). Why not do that do Fairlee instead of NYC? Better timing for IMLP, clean water, half the price and a great run and bike course. I will be doing this for the fifth time in 2006 and every time it was a sell out.
I’m going to both races - I’ll only be announcing the NYC Triathlon and then competing in Lake Placid. Both are great events! Z
If IMLP is truly your ‘A’ race, I’d say bag NYC, it will be there next year. You don’t want to risk injury/illness when you should be tapering for the big event. As another poster suggested maybe look for something 2-4 weeks prior to get that racing fix. That said more than likely you will have a great NYC race with your IM base and recover in plenty of time for IMLP. Just my .02, see you at LP in July 
Keith