Ironman USA Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 74)

Mike hit it on the head:  Listening to your body.  Everyone's body handles training loads differently; and training loads for each specific discipline differently .  

A friend on my tri team who is also doing Lake Placid, and it's his first Ironman, is coached by one of the fastest Triathletes on Long Island -- and he had my friend doing a 4-hour bike this weekend.  So according to one of the best coaches and triathletes in my neck of the woods, it is not to long for a 4-hour bike ; granted it's Saddle Time and Zone 2 work.  We're not hammering for 4 hours!!  

If we define intensity in the training load equation  (load = volume + intensity) i.e. using lactate threshold and define training levels/zones which are nothing but percentages of that threshold power/pace, then working a bit more on long rides for both beginners or experienced athlete is going to allow them maximize their training adaptations = greater fitness gains.

Also the strain on the body is going to be roughly similar for both athlete because as I said, they'll both be working based on percentages of intensity; and if you account that one will be faster vs. the other you can manipulate the load by controlling the duration. For that reason I don't see why someone would automatically dismiss or limit including more intensity to long rides for beginner athletes.

In terms of volume (distance/duration) there is not a set rule defining how much/long an athlete should be riding 'x' weeks out of their main event. If you are following a general plan, trust it and stick to it and just adjust it to fit your needs, not just because you read something on here or the new tri magazine. It is nice to talk tri on BT and other forums but it shouldn't become a distraction to the point you mistrust your plan/coach.

General plans are just that general hence some adjustments should happen to fit your needs. Some athletes might already be doing 4+ hr rides, others 2-3 hrs and yet others less than that even though we are around 17 weeks off LP. As long as the plan progresses for the athlete to handle the distance in particular over the last 8 weeks it work out fine.

Finally one can’t give much a sound opinion over another athlete’s plan (re: 50+ mpw running) without knowing the reasoning behind it and the specifics of the plan. Some athletes might have been working more on their run fitness right now and devoting less time riding and then he/she will progress into maintaining that run fitness with less volume and adding more load for cycling.

Andy Potts runs 50 miles a week and he finishestop 10 at Kona.  So unless you are going for a Kona spot   You're probably better served putting time in on the bike as most of the day at LP will be on the bike (hopefully!) and Biking is non-impact compared to running.  

We go to sleep over here on the island and you guys get all crazy.  I love getting to my inbox and seeing IM USA filling it up.  I'm sure it's been said on this thread before but I'll say it again.  Don't get caught up in what someone else's logs look like.  It can be intimidating looking at some of these monster's logs.  You have to stick to your plan, trust it, believe in it, but don't be afraid to question it.  If you work without a coach you can find some help on this site you just have to trust the person you are getting your info from.  Luckily this thread is full of knowledgeable people who are full of experience, and seem to be very willing and able to help a BT'er out.  This thread is full of fasties and smarties, use them while you've got them.

I just wanted to let anyone using a BT plan for the first time not to stress out.  I've used them twice and will be using it this year again.  I was well prepared for both of my races and faired pretty well.  Like others have mentioned, you have to adjust it to you and your life.