Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Decisions, decsions ... help me make one!

Ok, tri friends, I need your help again.

IMTX is 10 weeks away (yikes!) and IMTX 70.3 is 6 weeks before IMTX, making it 4 weeks from now. I did this race last year and had a great day, even PRing the race in my goal time (sub 5:45)

I have not registered for the 70.3 yet and I am on the fence on whether I should race it ...

I only did two races last year, one in the Spring - IMTX 70.3 in April and one in the Fall - Rev3 Cedar Point in September. So while technically my 140.6 was not my first race of the year, I clearly did not do one as a part of my build or peak leading up to my iron distance race.

Part of me wants to do the race so IMTX won't be my first race of the year, but I also have a whole list of reasons not to do it ...

- Save the money (two big vacations this year, fall races?)
- Not necessary
- Don't feel ready to race (would a poor race affect me confidence for IMTX?)
- Closer than I would like to IMTX

If this was my first IM distance race, I think I would definitely go for it, but since IMTX will be number 3, I need help deciding if I "need" to do a tune up race.

If I am being perfectly honest with myself, it also has something to do with the fact that I don't feel like I am in as good of shape as I was last year (e.g. If given similar race conditions and I felt the same, could I beat last year's time?).

My training doesn't feel like it has been as good and consistent as last year, mainly due to my travel schedule. Although, looking back, my training volume is similar, if not higher (since I was not training for an IM at this point last year, my hours were lower).

I can easily talk myself into or out of the race - I have twice while writing this blog post. So, give it to me ... should I race the 70.3 or skip it this year?

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Maybe you could do the race, but use more for a pacing/training day for IM, especially since you are feeling a little underprepared. That way you wouldn't feel bad if you didn't PR, but you would still get the cobwebs out and have a race before the big one.

Kacie Darden said...

If you CAN do it without racing, but as a great workout and a tune up (and can afford it), it would be very very fun. But--if you don't think you can hold back enough, don't do it and risk the big race! Let us know what you decide!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Later this year, I will face the same delimna, so I asked a couple of friends, they all said, based on the training to that point, might as well race, because the last peak phase volume is larger then a 70.3 (80 miles rides followed my 20 mile runs) Racing it will help you work on race specific items in competion and will start your taper while you recover.

Caratunk Girl said...

Huh. I am different than everyone else. I say if you are not into that race, then don't sign up for it.

I mean, sure it would be a great tune up, yadda yadda, but if you don't really want to do it and you're are not into it then how great of a tune up is it going to be really?

Go with your gut I say.

Josh Scobey said...

I tend to agree with Caratunk Girl. You have done the distance before and know what it takes to be ready. If you want to save money and aren't that into the race, I wouldn't do it.

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

You are a "seasoned" pro and don't need the experience. Skip the race and save the money

Unknown said...

I am doing it but going to use it as a training day (65% FTP) and not a race. This will be hard as I am usually a meathead. Really the only thing I am going to do super easy is the run as I don't want to be trashed the following week.

Hope to see ya there!

Ironman By Thirty said...

I think that because it is your second IM race, then you are safe skipping it. If it were your first IM, I could see it being more important as it would give you some race experience.

If you don't have your heart set on it, skip it.

Velma said...

I would ask your awesome coach :)

Hollywood said...

If you're not 100% into it I wouldn't; being out there for 5.5-6hours when you're not mentally into it isn't going to be any fun. But; with what Jeff and the ladies said, it would be a good training (if you go easy-er), and a test of fitness and show where you are. and need to work on for IMTX. You can recover and be ready for IMTX with time to spare

Unknown said...

What does your training for that weekend look like? If the distances are similar, then I would do it as a catered training day. Don't necessarily race it, but get the miles in, get the race experience and just enjoy the time out there with the other racers. But if you're heart just isn't into it, don't waste the money! :) Good luck!

Jamie said...

I vote for doing the 70.3, but use it as a training day. No taper, no chasing down people in your age group, and no extensive recovery after the race. Just incorporate it into your regular training schedule.

Hopefully it'll help give you that mental boost you need.

Unknown said...

I'm in the 'if you aren't totally into it don't do it'... but if you can't resist TRY REALLY hard not to race it. I know that can be easier said than done.

rhino said...

You'll get tons of different ideas, and here are mine: too much money for a race, not to RACE. If you're going to use it as a training day, then save the money and go train. Maybe look into a 1/2 marathon that is close by and race it (cheaper) and you'll build some good fitness. Then later that same day, go for a 2-3 hour aerobic ride with some TT sustained efforts thrown in and maybe some motor pacing.

Psychologically--if you don't preform well at the 70.3, then you'll attribute it to factors (not fit, didn't "race", etc), but if you do well, will this build confidence for your IM? What do you consider doing well-- a PR? Surviving? Following a nutrition plan?

Just a few things to consider. The experience you get from racing is great, but you can also push your self in other events that will benefit your build to your IM.

Happy training sista!