IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart

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2006-05-04 11:05 PM

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Subject: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart
Okay, so the quick backstory...I'm 42 years old, and in my second year of triathlon. I raced in the California 70.3 event in March and during the rolldown, took a slot for both the 70.3 Championships AND IM Florida, thinking I wanted to do one or the other, but couldn't make a decision at the time, so I paid for both and figured I'd apply for a partial refund for whichever one I dropped out of.
For a variety of reasons, not in the least of which is not wanting to throw away $300 (IM Florida only offers $150 refund if you drop out), I've decided to race in both.
Mind you, I have never biked over 60 miles or run over 14 miles, and have completed two half IM's, middle of the pack in my AG. The thought of going for my first IM, and then turning around and doing a half IM 7 days later is both scary and exciting, but I think it can be done if I go in with a strategy.
Anyone ever attempted something like this? Other than Joe Bonness that is?


2006-05-05 7:02 AM
in reply to: #415392

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Giver
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Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart

TriBodyboarder - 2006-05-05 12:05 AM  Anyone ever attempted something like this? Other than Joe Bonness that is?

Yeah...It happens all the time. In fact, the Xterra World Championships is the weekend after Kona, and lots and lots of people do both races (Xterra, with that long, hard MTB leg is probably pretty close in effort required to a HIM).

 

2006-05-05 8:24 AM
in reply to: #415493

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Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart

Yeah...It happens all the time.

 



Maybe in some other universe or spacial/time continuum...lol

(/sarcasm)

Edited by brain_bliss 2006-05-05 8:29 AM
2006-05-05 8:56 AM
in reply to: #415392

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Regular
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Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart
TriBodyboarder - 2006-05-05 12:05 AM

The thought of going for my first IM, and then turning around and doing a half IM 7 days later is both scary and exciting, but I think it can be done if I go in with a strategy.


What's the strategy? Don't die?
2006-05-05 10:36 AM
in reply to: #415392

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Master
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Newbury Park, CA
Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart

You can definitely do it.  The swim and the bike will be alright, the run might suck (well, more than usual).  Are you traveling back and forth or staying down in Florida?  The travel might really hurt you - sitting around getting stiff, lack of normal eating routine, sleep issues, extra stress....

If you aren't traveling you need to do some really light workouts to get the parts moving but also allow your legs to heal a little.  The hardest part is going to be staying in the game mentally.  Those are two big efforts and you are going to hurt.  Getting the brain to get through one is hard, getting through two may be brutal.

Good luck, and I would suggest you get training!

2006-05-05 1:09 PM
in reply to: #415392

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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart
Thanks everyone! The plan is to stay in Florida for the entire time. Fly in for IMFL on a Thursday, do the race that weekend, then spend the week making our way down the coast to Clearwater while my shelled body and aching knees recover from my first marathon (IMFL run). My idea for the marathon would be to run 4 miles, walk the 5th mile and continue that for 26.2, depending on how I feel. My guess for time is going to be somewhere in the 12 1/2 to 13-hour range. The plan is to keep stretching and walking to avoid stiffening up too much during that week. Maybe a couple of light swims or spins on the bike to stay loose, but no running that entire week.
Then, I should be ready for the 70.3 the following weekend.
Have to look into how to do that entire trip as cheaply as possible.
Anyway, it's an unknown how I'll be after IMFL, but I believe I can recover enough in a week's time to put in a decent 1/2 iron effort the next weekend. I've been doing 1/2 iron training non-stop since December, and will just maintain that through summer and start ramping up the mileage in late August for a slow build to IMFL.
I have no coach, no heart rate monitor, and perhaps no sense, but I should have a great story to tell my grandkids someday and will capture it all on video/photos. Anyone have good tips on cheap places to stay for IMFL?

Edited by TriBodyboarder 2006-05-05 1:12 PM

2006-05-05 1:25 PM
in reply to: #415986

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Master
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Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart

TriBodyboarder - 2006-05-05 10:09 AM I have no coach, no heart rate monitor, and perhaps no sense...

Ah, the only way to go.  Should be a wild ride.  Full speed ahead!!!!

2006-05-05 1:29 PM
in reply to: #415392

Extreme Veteran
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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: IM Florida and the 70.3 Championships a week apart
Yeah, I've done two half IM's and about 15 other races so far in the year I've been in this sport, and yeah, maybe I'd do better with that stuff, but honestly, it's just another thing to have to deal with, and I like to keep it simple. So far, my training plan has worked out fine. Woo hoo!
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