Week of race routines

First off: if you have never worn a wetsuit you are going to want to do a little swim with it (pool is fine) just to get used to it and make sure it fits. Cardinal Rule: Nothing new on race day. So I would at least plan on doing a light swim workout somewhere.

Second: Although I believe in tapering before a race, and I generally "go light" the week before a big race, I would typically take Thursday completely off, but do a light 20-30min spin on Friday. It accomplishes two things: (1) I think my legs are fresher and more ready to race on Saturday and you avoid "coming out flat" on race day and (2) its a good check ride on the bike. Better to find out something is wrong on Friday than Saturday in transition.

Edited by JohnAgs3 2009-09-02 12:38 PM

Great advice, thanks!

I just browsed one of the plans on this site to see what they had going on for the week of an Olympic distance race.

The particular plan I looked at had short distance of all three sports on Monday, short swim on Tuesday, short run on Thursday, and short distances of all three again on Friday.

I like the idea of running through all three sports one or two days before the race - just short distances. I've done this before a few HIMs and it gives me that little boost of confidence that I still know how to S/B/R the day before the race
It also is a good chance to check over all bike mechanics and such to make sure everything is working properly.

 

Edited by lisac957 2009-09-02 2:13 PM

Its one of those big debate questions: Take the day off before a race or take off the day two days before. Its really personal preference. I used to take off the day before, but once I switched to my "check ride" approach that day, my legs felt better on race day, but your results might vary.

Regardless...get that swim in so you are comfortable with the wetsuit..that is the most important thing.
Good luck!

Picked up my wetsuit today, hope the pool is open tomorrow with the long weekend coming...thanks for
the advice! I trained hard and am looking forward to a very good race. Hoping to smash 2:59 in my first oly!!!