General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!? Rss Feed  
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2008-08-06 1:54 PM

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Subject: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?

I just came from my boss' office and found out that I unexpectedly need to travel to China Septemeber 1-11 for work. MAJOR ISSUE: The 1/2 Ironman i've been training for months for is September, 14th (this is my first 1/2). Can I arrive back in the U.S. late on the evening of the 11th and possibly think I can do a 1/2 Ironman 3 days later? Keep in mind, training and eating apprpriately won't come easy while in China, not to mention my sleep schedule usually is out of whack when I return. My head tells me I shouldn't do it; my heart tells I trained so hard and I can't not do it. HELP!



2008-08-06 2:00 PM
in reply to: #1585809

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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
If you can avoid jet lag, go for it, but otherwise, I would hold off. That is a grueling trip. I have done it.
2008-08-06 2:03 PM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?

You'll be fine. Do it.

That would be a taper period anyway, and it's not going to kill you if your "workouts" (at that point they are just maintenance anyway, not training) are sporadic.

Stay well-hydrated. Depending on what city you're in, try to stay indoors and don't breathe when outside

Is eating out required as part of your job? If so, try to eat/sample just as much as you need to be polite. If you get sucked into binge/massive course eating, eat as light and simply as you can, when you can. There is lots of very good, fresh, veggie-based food in China that you can select when you have a choice.

Rest as much as possible when you return.

Good luck!

2008-08-06 2:05 PM
in reply to: #1585809

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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
You'll be fine.  Where in China are you going?  While it may not be ideal, most hotels have some kind of gym and/or pool.  Just do a little lighter workout that you would if the situation were perfect.  Chinese food won't do any damage anyway, everything I ate was in a small plates form.  Just take some Immodium with you - they don't sell it there and you don't want to be caught without it if you have a bad experience with the food.
2008-08-06 6:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
You can do it. Like others have said, you should be in taper mode. You will probably do plenty of walking around in China for exercise and can exercise in the hotel fitness centers. I would try to sleep on the trip back and hydrate as best as you can.
2008-08-06 8:29 PM
in reply to: #1585809

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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?

I think you can do it.  I travel a lot for work.  You can always run.  Swimming can be really tough, because hotel pools usually are just too small.  You could try the stretch cords.    Bringing the bike with you is not normally a practical option, but most hotels have some sort of crappy stationary bike that is maybe better than nothing.

Anyway, you're not really going to lose your swimming and biking fitness in just 11 days. 

The most important thing, for me at least, is to stay healthy while traveling.  This can be tough if you are traveling a long distance and trying to train at the same time.  Eating right is absolutely crucial.  Getting sleep is absolutely crucial.  Don't take the free alcohol on the plane.  Don't eat the chocolate creme bon bons at breakfast.  Etc., etc.  OTC melatonin works well for me to get over jet lag, but I wouldn't take anything stronger because it really wrecks me, sometimes for days.  Just my experience.

 



2008-08-06 8:37 PM
in reply to: #1585809

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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
If you were not making the trip to China what training would you be doing in the last 2 weeks anyway?   The way I see it is that you are not missing out on any significant training.  In fact, a common error is to try and do too much training in the last 2 weeks.  The way I see it is that the only issue is jet lag and as jet lag effects people differently, only you could decide that.  If it was me, I would go for it.
2008-08-07 12:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
Plan to sleep like a demon when you get back. Do the 11 days as stress-free as possible - if that means easy workouts, fine, if no workouts other than walking around, fine. Just keep the stress way down. That will help your body way more than one more run or swim. Then, take those three days off work (if you haven't already scored those, make it part of the deal with your boss) and sleep, get your nutrition back on track, and go for easy spins/runs/swims whenever you feel like it. Just use it as a forced vacation!

Basically, keep your stress down, your sleep up, and your hydration and nutrition up. Oh, and I'd probably be overdosing on Vitamin C every freakin' day and using those face masks to keep from catching something!
2008-08-07 12:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Can I still do a 1/2 Ironman after 11 days in China?!?
If you can stay healthy in China you should be okay as you would be tapering.Having been to China many times, there are hotels with indoor pools that are workout pools not like kid/fun family pools at most hotels in the States.Key is to eat well, not get sick from food or water which means being really careful with fruit and veggies...and get sleep.I have hard time adjusting to time going to China but not when coming home and sleeping in my own bed.Maybe your company will pay for business class flights which makes sleeping much easier.I love China...very fun place to visit..
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