How much time off after HIM?

Kevin,

Congrats on your HIM!

Recovery is variable for folks and depends on many factors including if you have other races coming up and how important they are. I had two days off and was back training lighter for the first week post race but had a 12 mile run 4 or 5 days after my HIM but I'm training for IM. My friends that did the same HIM but that was their A race took more time off and did their own thing for a week or two before getting back at it.

You may want to read on the IM board and this thread in particular about your plan for your first IM.

^^^^^ x2.

I went into my HIM slightly overtrained, and had to dig deep to finish.  I took a week completely off (apart from some hiking on level ground) and then was back at it without much trouble, although I started back easy.

There are HIM to IM bridge plans, but your IM is so far away that I don't think that's what you need.  It sounds like you need a standard IM plan, preceded by enough training to prepare yourself to handle the IM training load.  Exactly how that trainig is structured, I don't know.

I planned on taking a week off.  Ended up taking longer off.  Also got sick.  I would never do it again.  I would actually lightly training the next day or in two days.  Maybe workout with weights the next day.  Or swim.  I am doing three sprint tris in three straight week-ends.  I don't take any time off.  But everyone is different.  In some ways the sprints take more out of me than the HIM.  It is just totally different.  

Congrats on your first HIM.  I just completed my first on Sunday as well, and I am racing a sprint this coming Sunday.  I'm going really light this week, but for me I find that to a little something is way better than doing nothing...I tend to get really tight after a race and I like to work it out a bit.  I did an easy swim yesterday (15 min.), easy bike today (30 min.), and will do an easy run tomorrow (20 min.) and another easy swim on Thursday.

I think I read one of your posts last week. If I remember correctly you were doing the Musselman. I did it as well. It was a great race. I loved the scenery. I wish that I could have run better, but I went to hard on the swim and ride. I will pace better next time. I went for a 20 mile ride yesterday and will take today off then back into it.

Congrats to you.

Kevin  

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It was Musselman, and thanks!  I thought it was amazing, although the run was much harder than I expected...both the course and just the run off the bike.  Next time I will know...

Congrats again.