First off, I’m looking at doing my first 70.3 this summer but have yet to register for a couple of reasons… the biggest being the price for the race. Though, aside from the price… what are anyone’s thoughts on IM 70.3 Steelhead in MI? Tough course? Good choice for a first 1/2 IM?.. I’m around the Toledo, Ohio area so i picked this one due to it’s relative closeness.
Also, My race i’ve done for the last few years (Sylvania,Ohio) is the weekend after this race & I was wondering if i’m being ridiculous even thinking that i’ll be fine to race 7 days after doing a 1/2…
I haven’t raced it, but I know plenty of people who have and have been told that it’s a really good race. It’s a relatively fast bike course, nothing crazy. My only concern with this race would be it’s potential to be turned into a du. Last year this happened because of rough water’s in Lake Michigan, and I think it happened 4 years ago as well or something along those lines, so the probability of that may not be something one would want to ignore.
being from toledo, check out race for recovery, it used to be the same course as sylvania (went out a lot further), but just moved right across the border into MI, DEAD FLAT course, about 100 for the race entry, and for a good cause.
Yeah i remember on ST last year hearing all the screaming & gnashing of teeth about the race being turned into a Du, but i dunno, i might be willing to take my chances.
I’ll check into the Muncie race as well as the Race for Recovery.
What’s anyones opinion on doing an Oly 7 days after doing a (my 1st) 70.3? Not a problem? Possible? Stupid?
I wouldn’t worry too much about another Du. Most nights that time of year Lake Michigan flattens out nicely overnight. The race is 6-7 years old and it’s only been an issue one time. Most other years the lake has been flat or gently rolling.
I’ve done both, it would be hard to go wrong with either one.
I have done Steelhead the last 3 years and I will probably do it again this year. Before you register for the race look for accomodation. There are relatively few nice hotels nearby, and most are already booked. The course is relatively easy with rolling hills on the bike and a relatively flat run. It is a large race with lots of drafting on the bike, so pick a smaller race if this is going to bother you. They have lots of waves on the swim which you would think would help with congestion on the bike, but they put the older folks in early waves so this just makes the congestion worse. The main downsides to the race are that it is usually pretty hot, there is a moderate chance of the swim being cancelled, congestion on the bike, and there is not as much atmosphere as some other races. Still its a good first 70.3 and it’s close for you so I would do it.
somewhat similar…I went on a “fly by the seat of my pants” kick for a month last fall:
Austin 70.3 on 10/5 (5:18)
Race for the Cure on 10/11 (20:40 PR)
Florida Challenge 72.3 (yes it is over 70.3) 5th OA on 10/25
Vulcan 10k on 11/1/08, 42:20, also a PR
Most of my friends thought I was nuts, and probably was, but I had so much fun!! You can do another one… just recover that week, and consider it taper! somethin’ about racin’… just gets the blood flowing!
I’ve been looking at the Steelhead website & it says that they’re still accepting applications. Does anyone know if this race usually sells out, if so, when? or is there a way of seeing how many people are already signed up, so i can see how long i can put off dropping the $225 until it’s absolutely necessary.
If it were me, my first 1/2 Ironman wouldn’t be an Mdot 70.3.
Instead I’d opt for a local 1/2 Ironman.
Half the price, and there are lots of good ones out there that need your support.
I could do a half IM and a oly distance 7 apart. Not everyone can do it but if you really want to try you should not taper too much for the first race. I would say no really long training the weekend before the half but keep doing normal training until 1 or 2 days before the race and then do it really easy. Important is that you keep doing normal training (so not very hard, but sure not easy) so you can do a one week easy recovery training between the races and race again. If you would do a long taper you will find yourself probably a bit undertrained in the second race. If you think you need a full taper, then don’t race 7 days after half.
Whether or not you’re ready to race a week after a 70.3 depends on how you recover from it (duh). The better shape you’re in for the 70.3 the quicker you will recover from it.
From personal experience… my first half iron took me a couple weeks to recover from. The race went well but I hadn’t been in terribly good shape going into it. This summer, I raced a half iron that I’d trained my little tail off for (had been doing 20 hr weeks) and I felt recovered from it within 5 days. I did a 3 hr training day on Friday, then raced a local 10k the next day and won.
I would say, if possible, do the 1/2 but don’t make a decision now about the second race. Wait and see how you feel after it.
Definitely possible, but being your 1’st 1/2 you don’t know how you will recover. When I did my 1’st 1/2, I would have been able to race the weekend after, but would not have been able to race well.