Hey guys, I am pretty new to triathlon with a cycling and running background. I have completed 2 olympic distance races to date with the most recent been one week ago. I have been thinking about registering for a half distance race in just over one month from now. I am aware that this is not ideal and I will definitely not be prepared to race my best race. However I think finishing the race is very achievable and I would really like to just experience this type of race. My initial plan was to race a 70.3 next year and focus on Olympic distances for my first season but I can’t help myself and I would like to seize this opportunity.
My big concern is implementing a good nutritional strategy and I want to try and get that dialed in asap. I also need to focus a bit more on longer distance runs. I have completed a half marathon back in the winter and done a few 100K+ bike rides over recent months. Running a half marathon off the bike is obviously a very different story but as I think I should be able to gut it out.
Anyway I am interested in what people think of taking on such a task at such short notice. Am I being a little over ambitious here or is this not too crazy of a feat? I appreciate any insight.
I came from a cycling background with the goal of doing an Ironman so my first two triathlons were 70.3 and my third was an Ironman each a month a half. Provided you pace yourself and get in enough nutrition you will be fine.
Probably do-able as long as you can make the cut-off times.
Olympic to 70.3 fitness is pretty transferable in my experience. I wouldn’t worry about pushing the run training past maybe 9-10 miles (for long run) in the next few weeks if you haven’t done much run training recently. One or two longer runs and you should be ok to finish.
What was your weekly volume for the Olympic builds? How fast was your Olympic tri? I think those are some key questions.
Usually doing 3x bike, 3x runs, and 3-4 swims. A mix of speed work and endurance work and not following any strict program (I plan on doing this however for next year). My times for the most recent Oly were: Swim 34mins, Bike 1.03, run 40.32
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. Yeah I sort of just want to do it for the experience and enjoyment of the event. Not exactly looking to do particularly well.
I would say just go for it! You will just need to be careful upping the run volume (a good rule of thumb is no more than 5-10% increased volume per week). But given you have a running/cycling background, you’ll be fine. Plus racing is a blast!
As long as you have realistic expectations for your performance you’d likely be able to do it.
The swim is nearly the same.
The bike ride is nearly twice the distance but proper pacing will get you to the start of the run in the best possible shape.
You’ll probably run a little slower than what Daniels predicts as marathon (M) pace.
Use your times from your Olympic distance races as a guide.
From now until then, practice bike pacing for the 70.3 and see how a 5K run goes afterwards. Work that run up to 45 min and you’ll know if your bike pacing is right for you.
What was your weekly volume for the Olympic builds? How fast was your Olympic tri? I think those are some key questions.
Usually doing 3x bike, 3x runs, and 3-4 swims. A mix of speed work and endurance work and not following any strict program (I plan on doing this however for next year). My times for the most recent Oly were: Swim 34mins, Bike 1.03, run 40.32
Just stay within yourself and you’ll do pretty decent. Those are respectable bike and run times. That swim though… needs some work but not enough time to really change it.
yeah, I don’t think you will have a problem with the 70.3 practice your nutrition a couple of times especially on long rides/runs, makes sure it works. Have reasonable expectations and enjoy the race.
That swim though… needs some work but not enough time to really change it.
It needs a ton of work haha. I am very new to swimming so I am dedicating the winter months to improving this area. For now it is pretty much “survive the swim” mentality. Thanks for the feedback : )