Just started doing tris - did my first olympic in 3:30. I am scheduled to do a 1/2 IM in 6 weeks. After my performance this week i am really worried about being ready for 1/2IM in 6 weeks (really 5 weeks if you include taper).
Here is my question: What is the minimum time you can spend training to complete 1/2IM distance - i.e. how many hours a week to swim, bike nad run???
I just want to finish in a reasonable time…
You’ll be fine. Just don’t have a time goal for the 1/2 and you’ll get through it. Continue whatever you’ve been doing for the Oly distance, but make your long swim at least 45 minutes to an hour. Long bike at least 60 miles, and long run should be up to about 15 miles in my opinion. Build up over the next 5 weeks to those distances and you should be good.
Just started doing tris - did my first olympic in 3:30. I am scheduled to do a 1/2 IM in 6 weeks. After my performance this week i am really worried about being ready for 1/2IM in 6 weeks (really 5 weeks if you include taper).
Here is my question: What is the minimum time you can spend training to complete 1/2IM distance - i.e. how many hours a week to swim, bike nad run???
I just want to finish in a reasonable time…
One thought would be to not do the HIM. Since you just started doing tris, spend the summer on sprints & olys—or at least log some long training hours–and perhaps try a HIM in late summer / early fall. You’ll have a better idea if you can finish it, you’ll have more fun (right now I think your HIM may not be too fun based on your post) and you will have time to practice pacing, nutrition, transitions, etc. Plus, without much base mileage under you, six weeks really isn’t enough time to get ready for a half. Others may disagree. . . just my two cents.
I did do a marathon in January. My long runs are about 1:30 to 1:55 right now. In the last 5 weeks I have done 5 rides - 50 to 60 miles each…
New to swimming - but can swim for 45 min to 60 min in open water…
When I made my first jump from Olympic to Half distance I did it on minimal training do to it being a March race and winter played a huge role on quality workouts, but i have always had a good fitness base so it was’nt too bad finished in 5hrs 15m’s including a flat tire change. But breaking down the distance
The swim is really not a huge jump at all most Olympics are between 0.9mi and a 1mile give or take so your really only swimming a couple extra hundred yards .
The Bike is a big change most Olympics are between 25-28 miles of cycling and normally you just take maybe one or two bottle and just hammer it. With a Half you need to practice good bike pacing and learning to hold back, also you will need to have nutrition with you on the bike and a good rule of thumb well for me anyways is to eat solids like cliff bar/powerbars on the first part of the bike then hit the gels on the second half.
The biggest thing when moving up distance and I state this again is proper pacing in an Olympic some people can just go Hammer it then can get off and run a good 10k like nothing. For the normal Joe Blow you really need to not let your self hammer too much, so you can save energy for the half marathon. Definatly practice nutrition on your rides. For training try and go on rides between the 45-70mi range that way you can acclimate to riding longer distance and gives you the chance to practice nutrition on the bike that way you know what works so you will have no surprizes on race day.
The run best advice is to go into the run and let your body get into a rythem the first few miles. Don’t try and get off the bike and start hammering out 5-6min miles or you will burn out quick. Try and find a good pace and sustain it. Once you hit the half way point you can begin to start picking it up if your body allows and if you have the strength and stamina in the last 1-2miles go ahead and go all out if you’d like.
Remember The Half and Full distances are about finishing strong having a smile on your face as long as your not trying to go for a podium spot and your goal is just to finish have fun enjoy it and smile as you cross the finish line because you just completed something that most of your peers or friends would’nt attempt.
I did do a marathon in January. My long runs are about 1:30 to 1:55 right now. In the last 5 weeks I have done 5 rides - 50 to 60 miles each…
New to swimming - but can swim for 45 min to 60 min in open water…
OK–that changes my answer a bit then. I agree with TriBodyboarder regarding building up your swim and bike (though I might push for at least one 70+ mile ride). Pace yourself well, have a solid nutrition plan (and follow it) and have fun.
Thanks for the replies- after reading I will stay on plan and go for it!!!