Long Rides for the Ironman

Well you are 5 weeks out. Honestly, you are getting to the point where what is done... is done.

Basically, with a 2 week taper you would be doing 3 weekends of 100+ mile rides. It's like you are cramming for a test. Also, what will your running look like? Are you doing long runs on the weekends? Doing 3 weekends of 100+ mile rides and long runs = maybe too much stress on your body.

Someone else can weigh in, who is more of a "pro" at training for the distance... but if I were you, I would do 1 more 100 mile ride and do another couple in the 80 mile range.

Of course, I have to ask, what does your training plan call for?

Just remember, you can't cram for Ironman. And in the last 2-3 weeks you can't undertrain, but you can overtrain.

Good luck!

Thanks to you both, and I have been stalking to IMLP thread here and there, mainly to see whats going on with the alterations on the course. My running is pretty scotch on I have done 3 20milers, about 10 15-18milers and have one more long run of 21 miles this weekend. My plan calls for 4-5 100+ milers so I guess I just do two more (one today) and just 80ish until my last week in taper. Thanks guys!

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honestly never did 100miles ride. max in my life once 80miles. I am 5 weeks away to my ironman and I will do the longest ride next week end with 6hrs ride, break and then 2h30 run
I prefer always high intensity long rides like racing Half Ironman, for preparing for an Ironman. Of course every week I do a long Z2 ride but never more than 4h30'.
I can't tell you that this is correct but it is just my point of view and maybe with more experience I change the idea but most of my teammates never do 100miles and they go Hawaii most of the times...

With the caveat that I have only done one, and am nowhere near to going to Kona, I tend to agree with this. More miles is not necessarily better. Quality miles count.  (of course, if you've never ridden 100, some people like to do it for the mental factor)

yes i agree. it can help yourselves towards the 113miles race. That's why at my first IM I wanted to do something like 90miles or so.

I always do a century ride early in the season.  After that my longest is 90ish.  And I do a bunch between 75 and 85 miles.  My plan calls for hours, not miles - so whatever I can get in in that time is what I do.  a bunch of 4 and 4.5hr rides, then a few of 5, 5.5 and 6hr each.


fwiw.

First I did a few 100+ mile rides plus rode the IMLP course 3x.

Second IM longest ride was 85 and I think another at 80 but rode with hard intervals in the middle of the ride. I liked these as it was more time efficient. Not having ridden 100 or 112 before IM was not a big deal.

I have done an IM 2 yrs ago and took it easy after words . I have about 7 solid weeks in the tank with 65, 75, 84 mile rides and 12,13,16 mile runs. Is 100 mile bike sat and 18 mile run 11 weeks out overkill. 1 st IM. 1:30 swim, 6:00 bike, 5:20 run.