Cost/Benefit of long bricks?

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2008-05-04 1:19 PM

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Pro
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Wallingford, PA
Subject: Cost/Benefit of long bricks?
I've been wondering about how beneficial long bricks are... It seems to me, for the most part, that the benefit of doing bricks is to get accustomed to the transition between the bike and the run. It also seems to me that long bricks (3+ hour bike/1+ hour run) could be pretty punishing on your body. If you have solid training for the run and the bike, is it worth the stress on your body to do bricks this long? You can train for that transitional phase at the beginning of the run by doing a short runs after biking. I'm not sure I see the benefit of the additional run miles... The one possible advantage I can see is using it as an opportunity to test out nutrition for longer races.

Opinions?

2008-05-04 1:40 PM
in reply to: #1380658

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Cost/Benefit of long bricks?

You've hit the nail on the head. There really is no benefit.

I'm training for an IM and the longest run after bike is not even an hour. Now, I'll do some "sandwiches" R/B/R but the durations are not that long. The idea being increased intensity for shorter periods, thus less stress on the body.

2008-05-05 5:10 AM
in reply to: #1380658

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Cost/Benefit of long bricks?
Thanks... So, how long are your bikes/runs for your longest bricks? I'm training for my first HIM. I was thinking maybe good nutrition practice with less wear & tear might be an over-distance bike and maybe 4 mile run...
2008-05-05 5:44 AM
in reply to: #1380658

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Master
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Subject: RE: Cost/Benefit of long bricks?
Right or wrong, I don't know. But after long rides I normally do a short run with the longest so far being 40 minutes, but usually 20 to 30 minutes is plenty just to get the feel coming off the bike. I save the longer or more intense runs for other days.
2008-05-05 7:01 AM
in reply to: #1380658

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Cost/Benefit of long bricks?
Right -- I don't see a lot of benefit to long bricks (1 hour) either, with the possible exception of nutrition testing.

However, in prepping for my first 1/2-IM, my coach had me do "triple bricks" -- ride/run/ride/run/ride/run -- totaling about 70 miles on the bike and 8 on the run.

Two-fold purpose -- lots of practice with the bike/run transition, and very good mental preparation (after doing that, the race looked easy.) And, a good chance to practice nutrition.
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