OK, here’s the deal…I’m registered for an Oly distance race on July 24th, and IM Wisconsin on Sept 11. I just missed out on 6 days of biking due to having to split Florida for Hurr Dennis. I’m a little concerned that my bike training needs to really jump up a notch in mileage, so would I be better off getting in a century ride on that weekend, and blow off the Oly-length race, or would doing the race at a higher intensity be of value? This is my first IM, and I’m starting to stress that I won’t be prepared (I have done a 1/2 IM so far this year in 6:05).
Could you do the race and then do a 60+ mile ride after the race, possibly a bike ride home after the race. I find racing leading up to an IM is a good thing for the mental prep. But if you cannot get in a long ride after the race I would choose the century.
Do the race, long trianing is overrated. Racing will prepare you better mentally for racing than a long ride. That being said, if you can do the race and then pile on another 3 hour ride, that would be the best of both worlds. You could go out and ride the bike course twice after you are done racing.
do the race, most long course triathletes under race. How many 100+ rides are you planning on doing? Being able to go long is great if you just want to finish. Being able to go fast while going long is better.
…of course, you could take it to the other extreme like me and race every other weekend and go super long the other weekends…not the recommended approach :-).