I’m planning my next season, and I have my first 70.3 on June 22nd. There is a local half marathon on May 25th – is that enough recovery time before the 70.3? What do you experienced 70.3 folks recommend… should I race a half marathon before doing the 70.3?
To what end? A 13.1 isn’t like a marathon… you can run it in training, so confidence at the distance isn’t gained by racing the 13.1. Just a needless recovery period when you can still be shoveling in fitness for the 70.3.
In my experience there is little comparison between the open and tri runs at that distance… you’ll be running 6-12 mins slower in the 70.3 (30-60 secs per mile) so very different experience. If you can use the race as training and resist the urge to bury yourself then go for it but might be hard to reign it in. Force yourself to run slow for 5-6 miles and run a ‘tempo’ 7-8 miles to finish?
That is plenty of recovery time, depending on how hard you race and how you recover. Have you done a half marathon before? The way you phrased things it sounds like not. In that case, I definitely recommend racing that distance so that you’re familiar with it. It’s a lot different than a 5k/10k. I also think the half marathon is great to put into 70.3 training.
You will gain very little from the experience, unless your only goal is to race the half marathon for enjoyment. The run leg of an HIM will not seem any shorter, having done the distance prior to race day. In my experience, I can run the entirety of a half marathon without getting mentally fatigued. However, during the run leg of an HIM, I spend the last 5-6 miles wanting it to be over.
The two experiences will not be remotely comparable, so plan accordingly.
Unless your only goal is to race the half marathon for enjoyment.
Here is a novel idea… We seem to forget this ALL THE TIME on this site.
This whole journey is about enjoyment!
If you like to race, then do the race! You will get pros and cons from both sides. But only you can evaluate weather you will enjoy it.
I love racing, so a good local half before 4 weeks before a HIM would be a no brainer for me. I know other guys that don’t like racing anything but their A races, so for them, its a bad idea.
Have fun. Don’t take this stuff too seriously.
Do it. You could probably race every other week and still be fine.
I’ve done it before and have been fine. It was nice change in the normal (aka, lonely) training.
Since its local, ride your bike there and make it a brick.
I should clarify – I’m a new triathlete and have been doing sprint distances. So far I’ve gone from being a complete non-runner (June) to just under 27 minutes for a 5k (now). I know I have a long way to go and a lot of distance to build up between now and the spring. Just wondered if people typically train the full run distance for a 70.3, and if it is beneficial to have a race at that distance under one’s belt. Thanks for the input!
Not a bad idea. But keep in mind, that if you’re racing it, the pace is much faster in a open 1/2 marathon than the run in a 70.3. NO real comparison. The challege in hte 70.3 run is nutrition and managing leg fatigue since they are pretty beat up from the bike. The last 4-5 miles of a open 1/2 will give you an idea of what the first 7 miles feel like in a 70.3. The next 6 test your metal toughness and training. You have to get into your zone and hammer out those miles.
Recovery is I’d say similar to an Olympic Distance Tri, depending on how hard you race it.
I like the idea of riding your bike there and back.
Not to hijack the post but thinking the same thing…I’m going to ‘race’ Ottawa Race weekend half and Tremblant 70.3 four weeks apart withAND also racing an Oympic distance between the 2. I love racing and that’smy excuse. Now someone tell me if they disagree!?!
If you put down the run mileage in training it should be fine. For me i would not even consider it as i usually get by on 22-25 weekly miles before a HIM. A full speed half would ruin my running for at least a week.
Got mileage, no problem. If not, dont.
Not to hijack the post but thinking the same thing…I’m going to ‘race’ Ottawa Race weekend half and Tremblant 70.3 four weeks apart withAND also racing an Oympic distance between the 2. I love racing and that’smy excuse. Now someone tell me if they disagree!?!
Sounds like a good plan overall.
Sure… just manage it well, i.e. don’t go overboard with the HM in terms of preparation, intensity etc… Your goal is to do a 70.3 not run 13.1 miles.Treat it like a training day, practice your nutrition, hydration strategy etc…
if you have never run a 13.1 race, why not pick one sometime between now and say, march. although the experience is different than in a 70.3, i think the confidence helped. you could then still run the 13.1 in may if you wanted to and you would know what you are in for recovery wise.
i started as a runner and have raced 13.1 more than any other distance. in my first 70.3, that experience and confidence really helped me pace myself. i knew what i needed left in the tank to manage the run (and i had no idea what i was really doing on the bike).
this is a good point too with the mileage base. i have run some hard 13.1s with a relatively low mileage base and others when the base is very high. the last 13.1 i ran was in february and i had a small base. i never intended to go full-tilt but, you know, once you get on the start line… my legs were trashed for a week afterwards, almost comparable to “marathon-trashed” because i hadnt built up the mileage before the hard race.
Just make sure you have a decent base of running in and you will recover in plenty of time. I think it will help more from a psychological stand point than physical, but it certainly shouldn’t hurt you.
If you live in Ottawa, there are quite a few half marathons you can do even in February (Winterman), April (Minto Run for reach).
Heck - there is even one this Sunday (Fall colours) - or run the Toronto Waterfront even the weekend after Thanksgiving like me!
I think if you can do one sooner the better. You will have more confidence going into the 70.3 knowing you can cover the distance -seperately, but then just pace yourself.
I signed up for my first IM (Tremblant '14) and the swim is a big weakness (just learned how to swim in June), so the day after I swam with a friend and slow and steadily swam 3.8km. It took about an hour and a half, but was surprised how relaxed physically and mentally I was after. A big confidence booster.
I’m actually doing the Fall Colours sprint du this weekend. 
My running distance for the tris I’ve done (and let’s face it, training distance 90% of the time) is 5k… so I’ve got a ways to go before I’m ready to do a half-marathon without ending up facedown in a heap on the pavement. lol April might work.
Lol! I’ll see you there Saturday!
Would have done the Turkey Challenge -the Long Du Saturday then the half Marathon Sunday… but it’s family time weekend. Lucky enough to race this Saturday. In consolation racing Toronto half.
I should have started another post… “Can I PB a half marathon a week after a Duathlon?” - or “Is racing the best training?”
Good luck Saturday,
David
Nope! Not necessary. A half marathon and and a half marathon off of the bike are totally different sports. -k