Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

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2012-06-15 12:29 PM

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Subject: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

My tri group is looking at two different events.  One is in Mid Sept and the other is in Mid Oct.  The Oct race conflicts with another event that some of us want to attend so we are considering doing the Sept race and skipping Oct.  I really, really want to do the Oct event, but I don't want to not go with my group to an event.  My other option is to do both if the group decides against Oct.  Is that a good idea?  The two events are three weeks apart.  This will be my first OLY.  I've completed a couple sprints this year (first season).  I'm not really worried about being prepared, I think with following a plan I will be ready for either, I just don't want to have a bad time (from both a fun and injury standpoint) at the second event if they are too close.

What do you think?

Edit: The dates are Sept 16 and Oct 7.



Edited by Fokker416 2012-06-15 12:34 PM

2012-06-15 12:46 PM
in reply to: #4263630

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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

I'd say if you have the base training, It shouldn't be an issue... maybe "race" the first and "finish" the second.  

I did 2 marathons 2 weekends apart with no real issues... the second one hurt though, because I ran the first with my wife and tried to race the second.  If I did the same thing again I'd reverse my race plan.  In fact I kinda am this year.  I have a HIM and then 2 weeks later I'm running in the Marine Corps Marathon.  Rest assured that the MCM will be at a nice easy pace!

2012-06-15 1:06 PM
in reply to: #4263630

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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?
I have no idea what your conditioning level is, but mine is not nearly optimal for doing an Oly.

That said, two weeks ago, I did my first Oly. In the first couple of days afterward, I didn't think I'd be ready to do another for a while (as in, I scratched a race I had planned for three weeks later).
By the end of the first week, I was still a little tired, but was full-on ready to go again.
This weekend marks two weeks and I wish this weekend wasn't Father's Day - or I'd be racing an Oly.

I say go for it. What's the worst that happens? Maybe you don't do as well as you want to... so, suck it up, train more and do better the next time.

It's just a race.
2012-06-15 2:05 PM
in reply to: #4263630

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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

It's doable for sure.  Take recovery seriously and don't overtrain between the races and you'll be ok. 

My only experience like this was actually in the last 4 weeks or so.  I raced an oly and then raced another oly two weeks later followed by a trail half marathon a week after that.  All in all, 3 races in 4 weekends.  I tried to train somewhat normally the week after the first oly but after a couple sluggish days realized I needed to scale it back and focus on recovery if I wanted to do well.  While I didn't fully realize the short time span when I registered for them all I still feel like I had 3 successful races.  To top it off I actually placed in my AG in the half marathon (small field, but I'll take it). 

Assuming you prepare properly now I see no reason why you can't enjoy both races if you manage your efforts well during the time between them.  Good luck!

2012-06-15 2:12 PM
in reply to: #4263630

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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

If you train well, an Oly shouldn't take that much out of you. 

2012-06-15 2:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

Thanks for the great advice so far.

I'm in the middle of working hard to prepare and I'm very much looking forward to making the next "step" in distance.  I wasn't able to find a lot of information about recovery between races of this distance.  If I choose to do both its only because my friends are doing the first one.  The Oct race has been one of my season goals, looks like a really pretty race.  We're discussing it.

2012-06-15 2:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?
I'm doing Oly's on back to back weekends with the Peachtree Road Race on Wednesday in between.  I'll report back how it goes :D
2012-06-15 2:46 PM
in reply to: #4263872

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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?
Fokker416 - 2012-06-15 9:14 AM

Thanks for the great advice so far.

I'm in the middle of working hard to prepare and I'm very much looking forward to making the next "step" in distance.  I wasn't able to find a lot of information about recovery between races of this distance.  If I choose to do both its only because my friends are doing the first one.  The Oct race has been one of my season goals, looks like a really pretty race.  We're discussing it.

IME, an OLY takes the same amount of recovery as a half marathon.

2012-06-15 3:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?

You'll be fine.  Two-three weeks recovery is more than enough, regardless of base.

With a solid base you can race Sprint/Oly every other week and be fine (for me more often than that and I'll break down after a while).

2012-06-15 4:21 PM
in reply to: #4263630


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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?
I am old and fat and did 2 oly's in 1 day. One in the AM, rested 3-4 hours and did it again. Very doable with 3 weeks in between.
2012-06-15 5:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Is doing 2 OLYs in 3 weeks a bad idea?
I've raced HIMs on consecutive weekends.

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