Fred D and Jason's (Tri808) Half Ironman Mentor Group CLOSED! (Page 32)

Originally posted by tri808

Originally posted by Mike_D So, my first race (Patriot HIM, Freetown, MA) is coming up in 3 1/2 weeks, and I feel like a kid who is trying to cram for a test he doesn't think he is ready for. No doubt, my training has been not been ideal this spring due to a number of things, but the swim will be fine, bike OK. The run, however may be total misery. I've been fighting a hammy injury since January, and its finally feeling much better, but its limited my run training to the point where my long run to date has been 8 miles, and i've nto had a single week where I've topped 20 mpw running. To save myself a bit of misery, I moved to a 9/1 run/walk strategy on runs which seems to be working for me, and keeps the injury in check. There's no doubt I'm doing this race, but I'm curious if anyone here has gone into a race knowing they are quite undertrained in one of the sports, and trying to not reinjury something which has been a problem? My race goal is to finish. I did this race last year, but had a bike crash 35 miles in which broke my bike in half (really!) and ended my day, and most of my 2012 season. Thoughts?

If your goal is to finish, and your run training is sub par, you will need to adjust accordingly. There really is no need to cram your run training at this point. Don't even worry about your long run distance because it won't matter. Just focus on running consistantly over the next 3.5 weeks. If that means staying with a 8 mile long run, so be it. Running fitness is more about your total running than any single long run. So don't try to cram in a 12 miler if it means it wrecks your other mid week runs. As far as race day, know that the effort you put in on the swim and bike will impact your run. Swim easy, bike conservatively, and use your run/walk approach. I wish I could sugar coat your race and say that you might be able to swim and bike to your current abilities and tough it out on the run, but a HIM is no joke, and it will exploit your weaknesses without mercy unless you compensate for them early on. The fact that you have asked about this shows that you have taken the first step in being honest with yourself...the really hard part is executing the race accordingly. We all have egos...

Hey Mike, I did a half last year undertrained in general but especially undertrained on the run. Jason is spot on, as usual. You can't cram the run training, and I think it would be better to add a 2 or 3 mile run during the week than to try to add a couple of miles to your long run. For my race, I was realistic about what I could do. I rode conservatively like Jason said, and even though I walked maybe 10-20% of the run and ran slower than usual when I was running, I wouldn't describe it as a "death march" like some people do. It was more like a nice jog/walk on a pleasant Sunday with a bunch of friends. I ended up finishing in a better time than I expected, and was even able to finish with a little bit of a sprint. And yes, check your ego at the starting line

Awesome! Our beaches opened today and I was so looking forward to getting in a swim today (early leave from work) but we had a turn in our weather and so there is a swim advisory from the waves and the water temp is only 51F! I like cold water but that is too cold.

Anyone racing this weekend? Good luck! If not, enjoy the long weekend and have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day!

Signed up for Timberman yesterday.  I guess I'm no longer just lurking here!  

We have a HM this weekend (Run to Remember in Boston).  I'll be "pace booty" and domestique for Kim and hope to pace her to sub-2hr (maybe around 1:50 - she's been running crazy well and I think she can hit that).  Should be fun!

Have a great weekend all!

Matt

ETA: after registering for Timberman, I went out today and did ~41miles and ~2,500 ft of climb.  I think that might need to be a regular thing for the next few months!

This will, indeed, be my first HIM.  In fact, my two Oly's (June 30 and July 21) will be my first at that distance.  Sprints only, until now (2 last year and a bunch 20 years ago), so it'll be an interesting go!

Thanks for the well wishes for the run tomorrow.  They're forecasting snow in a neighboring state, although it'll be a balmy 39F with 20+mph winds here in Boston tomorrow.  Kim's wigging out a bit at the weather, but I told her she can draft off my substantially more "ample" frame in the wind.  

Also wanted to post up a pic of my new ride!  Should help with the run off the bike.  I've been riding it the last week and just absolutely LOVE this thing ('09 P2C and a bunch of nice wheels - bought from Brian Richards, SYR44 on BT, who did a great job finding just what I was looking for, as he just started a biz selling bikes).  Super excited and just want to ride my tail off!

Which, I think, I'm going to have to, given the races I just inked and my "experience" level.  

Matt

(bikes.jpg)

My advice? Suck it up. OK not really. Even though the current is tough and making you more nervous, I still think it's helpful to be out in the water. Think how easy it will be when you have a race in easier conditions.

Now as far as feeling comfortable in the water I'm not sure I can help much. The one and only natural ability I have for triathlon is I am completely at ease in the water. One thing I try to do race morning to calm my pre-race jitters is get in the water and completely submerge myself. Just go completely under, close my eyes, get in my own little world, and really relax. Maybe it's like going back to the womb or something, but whatever it is, I find it gets me completely calm. Maybe you could try something like that. Just get in the water, feel the water, be one with the water. Well that last bit is a little much, but I hope I am somewhat helpful.

Also, you've been doing a lot of good training in the pool, so that will help you as well.

Nice bike! Now, get out there and ride Riding more now will help both your ride and run at your HIM. Timberman was my first half, and it's a great race.

39 degrees is perfect run race temp, but that breeze is a bit much. Good luck and have fun!

Great ride! Nothing like a nice bike to inspire the miles.

I do think the massage helps with muscle soreness and fatigue.  I try to do monthly massages and usually schedule them at the end of the weekend after my two long days (in fact, it just happens that I have one for tomorrow!).

I'm also going to try to schedule one for after Vineman.  A friend of mine just did IMTX last weekend and had a massage scheduled for the following day -- she said it hurt like hell during the massage, but that her legs felt surprisingly good in the following days, instead of trashed like she usually feels after races. 

Looks like 35.4 was the distance to go today as that's what I ended up doing as well.  I was riding with a friend of mine who is a really good cyclist and knows a lot of good routes to ride  Today he decided would be a hill day so the ride included an 8 mile stretch with a 2200' climb.  THAT was a solid workout as it was an unending 45 minute grind from bottom to top, and I was very pleased to see my biking fitness has really come along and I was not completely toasted upon reaching the summit. The downhill was exhilarating with a great smooth surface and turn after turn.  I'm still gaining confidence on the downhill, but was able to average 31 mph over the 14 minute run. 

I've only been riding for about a year now and have gone from just getting the rides done to really anticipating them and welcoming the challenging ones like today's.  Now if I could only do that in the swim . . .