taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

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2008-09-28 10:36 PM

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Subject: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

Doing Nov. IMAZ.  I trained for April IMAZ as well.  Frankly, it's getting a bit old and tiring.  Part of it is I am doing a lot of it solo this go round (props to you guys and girls that do this solo all the time... it's tough to stay motivated).    Seeing signs of burnout

Anyway, my training has gone very well, much better than last time.  Sept. will be my biggest bike and run volume ever.  I have some time off between jobs and I think I need a getaway, so looking at going on a short dive trip to MX this Fri through Wed.  I can run at my destination on Fr and Wed, but Sat - Tues will be no working out

I can frontload this week so as not to miss a long ride, but my long run will take a bit of a hit.  I will still have one left before taper

Honest goal is just to finish, I am not placing or getting a Kona slot, but I know 5-8 weeks out is a "critical" time, whatever that means.

Not sure if I am just trying to convince myself that this is an OK thing, or thinking too much about it... so thought I'd toss it out to the BT font of knowledge.  Thoughts?  Advice?



Edited by ChrisM 2008-09-28 10:37 PM

2008-09-28 10:56 PM
in reply to: #1702496

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Expert
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Woodland, California
Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

Your logs look awesome.  My (non-expert) opinion is that you should take those days off and not feel guilty about it.

I feel your pain.  My volume is a lot lower, but I'm 6 weeks out from my race and struggling mentally too.



Edited by froglegs 2008-09-28 10:56 PM
2008-09-28 11:16 PM
in reply to: #1702496

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Regular
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Florence, Arizona
Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
If I had your training volume on my graphs, I wouldn't hesitate to take few days off! Wow! I'm no coach/expert...but I can't help but wonder how good you'll feel training after your weekend of fun. Every part of you will be rested...including your mind. Why not try it, and if you suffer during the race because of it, chalk it up to a learning experience, especially if this isn't a qualifier for you. I always train & race for fun (that's coz I'm too slow to place, so I don't worry about it, lol).
2008-09-28 11:23 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
Wow, awesome September. Awesome August. Are you going for the 700 miles biking in Septmeber, your post seems to indicate you are hitting a long ride on Monday on tuesday to make it, I know you were just short last month.

Taking a couple days off now probably better than taking a week off 3 weeks out.

Good luck.

2008-09-28 11:30 PM
in reply to: #1702496

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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
I just took a few days off, because school is insane/relationship stuff, and I really felt worn down and like I needed a break. Don't feel guilty, you're training is looking awesome!
2008-09-29 6:43 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

Nothing wrong with taking 2-3 days completely off to recharge your mental batteries for the final push into taper. Tim DeBoom takes (or at least he used to) a week off 10 weeks out from Hawaii to mentally recharge and get ready for the race.

 

Good luck

2008-09-29 6:51 AM
in reply to: #1702496

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Fishers, IN
Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
I think we all find ourselves in that position from time to time.  Maybe a few days to recharge the batteries will allow you to get more out of your training thereafter.  Many training plans have a three up to one down week "mesocylce" to recharge and reap the gains from the investment.  Personally, I think weeks 3-5 before are the most critical if you have 8 weeks why not recharge now and make sure you hit peak weeks with vigor?  A hard call, but no matter what, I think you will do great in your event.  Your volume is great.  Keep up the great training. 
2008-09-29 7:15 AM
in reply to: #1702496

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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

I actually think this ought to be part of an iron plan.  Takes some time off allows your body some nice recovery and puts you in a great position mentally and physically for that last sprint to the starting line.  We need to 'pace' our training too so we don't spend all the mental and physical enery too early. 

I had 10 day vacation in late June where I did almost nothing and then an Oly in early July where I didn't do much that week either....and then I did 4 back to back century+ rides and some great long runs before taper.  In other words, I hammered my last 4 weeks of training.  The result of this was an IM PR by almost 1.5 hrs.

~Mike

2008-09-29 8:05 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?

I took off long weekend in early June when I did IMLP as I was just mentally fried and my body felt fatigued. It was a great thing for me recharging my batteries.

Your training looks great...if you feel you need it often that is a cue you really do.

2008-09-29 8:24 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
Take the time off.  Looking at your logs you haven't had a "recovery week".  Take the time recharge the batteries both mentally and physically and be ready to get back at it after a relaxing vacation.  Besides, since your between jobs this is the best time to take off without having to "ask" for vacation or burning up vacation days.
2008-09-29 9:10 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
Definitely not an expert here but I will offer my .02 anyway. Your logs look great, much better than heading into IMAZ last time. It looks more like you need more than want a break right now. I think that you are far enough out from your race that you are not going to feel any real difference. Those few days off are not going to affect your base any. Take the days off and enjoy what you love, diving. You will still get in some runs like you said and I think the mental boost will help you overall.

Only one condition, you have to take some good pictures and be sure to post them.


2008-09-29 10:17 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
Enjoy the vacation !
2008-09-29 11:27 AM
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Subject: RE: taking a few days off 7 or so weeks out? thoughts?
I'll go a step further... you need a rest, and it will do you a world of good.
I think you're saying you can feel the mental, & to a lesser extent the physical energy waning too early. Rest now will put you right back where you want to be.
Enjoy!
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