So how would one prepare for this distance? Would it be similare to an IM just decreased miles or more miles versus 1/2 IM distances. The distances are at he point of fatigue and physical breakdown for most athletes. Personaly, I would not change my swim approach…just long and EZ and some intervals through the week. However for the bike and the run I would integrate more power and speed in the workouts. I would make the long runs more marathon training focused (with the last part of the run being at stand alone marathon pace) versus the IM Marathon training (where the focus is time duration versus speed). Thoughts?
with respect to run training everyone running an 800 or longer is doing marathon miles. Yes, more of them will be focused on “speed work”. I would probably do similar running to a trad marathon plan (which for me did involve tempo and track work).
I definitely enjoy a more tradtional running plan when doing Tris (Long Run at 30 seconds faster than marathon pace, Tempo, track, etc.). I have always been too stubborn to do the super long IM run. I had friends doing 3.5 hour runs…ouch. Well it paid off for them during the IM. I just refuse to do those type of runs and the end result is feast or famine. More recently…famine. So I love this distance. My wife does too…shorter long rides.
Train like you would for an IM - then race like an IM (pretend its an IM). The shorter swim/bike will allow everyone who is bonking (at IM’s) at mile 10-15 (or eearlier) to run the entire run. Of course - everyone will go faster as its a shorter race and they’ll bonk at mile 4-8 on the run…I would not change a thing. 112 vs. 80, 26 vs. 18 - its not that different.
Dave
I heard that you only need to train for the swim and bike - then you just do the run on guts and luck.
I heard nearly the same thing…but…train for the bike and run as the race starts after the swim : )
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If I race one I will take off about as hard as I do on a Half IM run and see what happens
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have to agree with this one…pace will be very close to a half-ironman…
john
I’m thinking it boils down to an early base/endurance phase that is going to factor in some intensity in the eight to fourth weeks prior to the event.
One of the race founders opined that this was really about the longest distance most people could “race” as oppose to just finish. I agree with that, although “racing” this distance for me would really take a lot of improvement and preparation for a MOP’er like me.