Q. on the effects of time off

Triathlon Forum
1

Well here is the deal… I have CDA in oh, 11 days… Went out for a run today and was doing some pick ups on a trail. I miss stepped over a hump and strained my back. The left side of my muscles went into a spasm. I ended up calling my wife for a ride home. I am now layed up on my back resting. Looks like I will need to rest this thing possibly for the next few days up to the race. What do you think of the effects of doing nothing but rest up to the race? Hopefully it will heal in time to allow me to race.

I wanted a good taber but this is crazy. Just wondering what the effects might be on performance with that much time off before the race? I am trying to remain positive here!

Some backgound. Did a race simulator last Friday of 5.5 hours on the bike to a brick run of 30 min. Sunday I did a 1/2 hour bike into a brick 2 hour 10 min. race simulator run. Monday I Swam 4500 yards pretty hard and on Tuesday did a 1 hour easy bike for a recovery. I was hoping for a Ironman HI qualifying race.

Thanks for any help,
Dan

PS I will be seeing a sports Dr. on Friday to see if he can do anything.

2

It’s been a bit since i graduated w/ my exercise phys degree but if i remember correctly if you have 11 days of complete inactivity you will see declines in aerobic capacity, vo2max, lactate threshold, and stroke volume. if you are forced to take, say 3-4, days off, you’ll be well rested and not have any declines in fitness.

3

You will probably be fine. You won’t get any benefit, as you would have it you could do a proper taper, but you shouldn’t lose anything either.

Read this. It’s a summary of the latest research opinions on tapering.
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0267.htm