I posted a similar post about three weeks ago so I apologize in advance for anyone sick of the whine… Anyway, I am wondering how I will be effected by missing workouts this time of the year. I am looking to do my first Ironman (IMLP) and have been diligent with workouts up until about a month ago. I have been plagued with a minor injury, followed by the flu, and a cold (respiratory infection). I have been able to put in 11-15 hour weeks up until the past 3 weeks they have dropped to 8 hour weeks at best. I am assuming I have time to make this up but want to hear some experience on the manner.
i think i may have told this same story to you three weeks ago but it sounds like you need cheering up so here goes. last year i was also training for placid. in february i developed a medical problem that kept me off the bike for 3 months. i did zero cycling feb, march and april. so i thought i might be screwed too. well, i got back on the bike may 1st and with less than 3 months of cycling i hit an im pr by over an hour in placid (11:27). so you got nothing to worry about. i think most people do too much in january and february and get burned out by race day. take this time to rest and get better. when you’re 100%, start slowly building your training again. you have plenty of time. the last 9 weeks leading up to im are the most important.
It’s a fact of life if you live in a northern clime. I’m just getting over a cold and my wife just over respiratory infection.
It’s hard to stay regular in cold winter, at least for me. Winter spinning on an indoor trainer sucks compared to being out on the road. I don’t even bother running in the winter snow but x-country ski instead. I’ve entered a 5 km running race this Sunday, but that’s the first time I’ve ran since another 5 km race in the beginning of January.
But I’m going x-country skiing for a couple of hours this afternoon.
I did IMLP last year and developed vertigo in February and couldn’t run, swim or bike for 6 weeks. I was able to recover and finish the race. I didn’t hit my original time goal but there is enough time to do well.
As long as you haven’t lost any aerobic base I would not try to make things up. Just go with your orignal plan and give yourself plenty of recovery. You are still more than 5 months out. Relax and enjoy the journey.