Simple question.
Raced week ago Ironman Vichy. Had a major meltdown on the run. (good bike with 4.48, but issues with energy intake => jogged the marathon in 4h). After the race I didnt have any ajor ache on the muscles… Had a week vacation after the race and did 3-5 hour hikes in alps each day. havent done any running/swimming/cycling after the race.
Now,
There would be a small possibility to race an ironman in 3 weeks (in 20 days).
Any chance of performing well in 3 weeks?
What would be the best protocol for following 3 weeks?
I have a friend that did 2 IMs in a month and PR’d on the second. I think she took 2 weeks totally off after the first IM and then did <10 hrs/week until the second. Wish I had more specifics, but know that it’s definitely doable.
Well, simple question, and a simple answer: it depends
I have always felt pretty rough for ~4-6wks after IM as soon as I turn the effort up even a tiny bit.
I think your best bet is to keep moving, rest more than you think you need to, and trust that you’ve still got the fitness without proving it to yourself with big efforts.
I did the same thing, raced Kona (not a great race), turned around & raced IM Florida & PR’d. I was sick between the races for a couple weeks, but that may have been why–the rest from sitting around sick was key. But it was do-able. Just one of those situations that sort of came together with the perfect tri-fecta. I think the Kona was like a last long workout…sick, rest/taper then was kind of at a peak for the second round.
Although I wouldn’t do it regularly. Last year was Ironman Boulder & then 1.5 months or so later–a crash, burn/got incinerated & crashed/burned multiple times same day in Kona. Not a lot of recovery time so not recommended. It just doesn’t always work out. Roll the dice though–you never know! Age has a lot to do with it & I’m no spring chicken any more so recovery takes me a LONG time these days.
