Training Load/ Fatigue

It's subjective.  How well do you want to do in your Oly?  11 hrs sounds like a decent amount but I have found plans with more, and found some with less.  If you just want to finish, you could do less....

As for me, I have been averaging 12-13 hours per week for the last couple months for my HIM and it's an average plan.   A balance between time and desired results (which is to better my last HIM time).  It's been a little tough to keep that up - but I have managed.

I want to tackle an IM plan next.  Again, I have found IM plans that have the exact amount of time that I currently spend on my HIM but I have also found IM plans that have 20+ hours per week....

I am 46 don't work but have 5 kids so I train while they are in school and time is limited. I found for me that doing 2 build weeks then 1 recovery week works best for me otherwise I was getting sick 5-6 times a year. Most folks do 3/1 build/rest weeks, but after doing 2/1 for an off season my coach and I saw how it worked better for me and I no longer got sick all the time.

How much you train is so variable. When you are slower doing a 50 mile ride or 14 mile run takes longer than fast young guys.

I basically do 3 swims & runs and 4 bikes a week with strength training and yoga. I have shoulder issues on and off so sometimes I can't swim.

You need to find what works for you and your family..good luck with that!

This is why many eliminate, or reduce, weight lifting during the race season. Something's gotta give. Your choice.  

I really agree with that statement.  My 3 hour ride on Sunday was only 41 miles, and a 14 mile run takes me well over 2 hours.  I log my swims in yards, my runs in miles and my biking in hours (as a lot is on the trainer and I don't believe the speed/distance it says I'm doing).  I think training  'hours' can't be compared from person to person.

 If you count the prep, travel, planning, reading,  training time and add the hours I waste here on BT I'd be well over 20 hours week and haven't even started my HIM training plan yet.

I'm just starting my 3rd season.  I'm over 40.  I'm tired.  Currently just finished a huge build week and started a recovery week.  Last year while training for an Oly I did drop my weight training in favor of longer ride and run times.  I'm not sure I'm real happy with that, but I did relatively well in the oly - finished and didn't hurt myself. 

I recommend that you listen to your body.  It's tricky because you want to push yourself some, but not so much that you get hurt or sick.  I think that if you don't feel good after a rest day, or a recovery week, that you need to take more recovery time.  How many rest days do you have each week?

It is all relative.

3 years ago I struggled with 5 or 6 hours a week for sprint distance. This year I am tackling IM distance.

Sometimes I am tired and sometimes it is a challenge to make time. I work 45+ hours a week. Have a wife and 2 teenage girls. Play drums in a rock and roll band most Friday and Saturday nights. Havew band rehearsal once a week most weeks and still make it to my girls softball games.

Making every hour count is important. Fueling for the days training load keeps from feeling to tired. If I under eat I die.

FWIW I am 37, so no spring chicken.

Hey, we are on the same week of the Oly 12 week plan! I'm definitely feeling some fatigue facing this big week too. I'm under 40, no kids, working full time and going to grad school part time, and I've been surprised at how regimented I have to keep my schedule just to get it all in. "weary but compulsive" totally describes it. The scheduling and managing of the schedule is exhausting in its own way.

I agree with the posters above who say listen to your body, and make sure to make time for the rest days. I also think there are times when it's better to sacrifice training for sleep rather than vice versa.

Anyway, just want to say that I sympathize, and best of luck to you! For what it's worth, I almost always cut out the strength training, and on the bright side this is the peak volume week for the plan. Looking forward to a more manageable 7-ish hours next week.