Quick question on training. I am currently training for 4-5 Olympic distance races this summer, the last of which is on August 29th. I would then like to focus on my first 1/2 IM on October 23rd. Curious what others think if that is enough time (8/29 to 10/23) to get in some longer rides and runs for a decent go at the 1/2 IM distance? This would be my first 1/2 so any advice would be well received!
The swim is essentially the same distance and I should be strong for that portion. Was mostly concerned about the bike and run.
That’s plenty of time. Doing that many Olys will make you fit enough for a 1/2. After the last Oly, I would merely increase the duration of the long ride and run, and maybe add an extra short run or two to the week.
If you’re fit enough to do an Oly at a good hard effort right through the finish, you’re fit enough to do a half in reasonable comfort. Heck, it’s only twice as long.
Moving from a 1/2 to an IM – now that’s another story altogether.
Why not just train for the 1/2 and use the olympic races as training sessions?
I agree. I think you can race very fast at Oly distance training for 1/2IM. My PRs for Oly and 1/2IM came in the same year. In fact, the Oly PR was one week after the 1/2IM PR.
I agree that you would have time to add in your longer distance ride/runs after your last oly. On the other hand, I think working in a longer ride and run on a weekly basis before your last 1 or 2 oly races would make for a more seamless transition.
I, like the previous poster, train primarily for 1/2 distance races but find that my oly races are still very strong. Good base training serves you well at any distance.
Thanks stickman and all. I should have mentioned that I’m recovering (2 years!) from two blown discs…L5/S1 and L5/L4. Given that, I want to see how things go at the Oly distance prior to stepping up to the 1/2. otherwise, I would have gone the route you all mentioned. that said, I think you guys answered my ? which was more around whether my base from Oly training would be enough to pile on a few more weeks of longer rides/runs and then take on the 1/2 (bad back allowing!!!).
