If this make me sounds like a whiner, forgive me. But training wisely is important to me.... I'm 95% certain I know the answer to the question I pose below, and I know exactly what I'd tell someone else to do in this case. But sometimes, with myself, it's not so easy. (A good argument on why it's not always smart to be your own coach.)
The issue...
I'm signed up for the Gran Fondo Century in San Diego on Sunday, but now I'm wondering if doing a 101-mile bike ride is the right thing to do in the middle of a big 70.3 training block. I'm NOT doing an Ironman this year, and swimming+running are a bigger priority than cycling in my training. The longest ride I've ever done is 80-something miles, so I don't want to be wrecked from a huge long hilly (5500'+) bike ride--something my body's never experienced--going into my 3rd and final build week before Oceanside half-IM. However, I love cycling and doing GF sounds exciting and challenging.
I was just looking at the GF website, and I can transfer to the 53-mile course no problem (with that, a t-run could work out well). Also looks like I'd still be able to the first 30ish miles with the century riders... so I'll get to be with friends, one of the main reasons I'm doing this event in the first place.
Lastly, not that this matters so much, but I see there's a chance of rain in the forecast for this weekend. Again?! C'mon El Nino... lame. GF webiste says event happens "rain or shine." Riding 101 miles in icky weather doesn't sound fun.
Thoughts? Opinions? I need 'em!
Thanks.
PS - Ron, I'm going to mention something about sweet potatoes vs. yams in my next post, as that's often been a big topic of debate with some people, haha.
Ride it. The mileage can't hurt you and will only help you in the long run. The important thing to focus on will be your recovery to make sure you are ready for 70.3 in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteSome would say just HTFU. I would say it is good for your training to get that type of mileage.
I air on the side of the 53. Doesn't seem like the 101 would hurt you but why risk it. Take the time you'd spend recovering and focus on the heart of your training and honing those run and swim skills during the final weeks before your taper.
ReplyDeleteWith that said though, the Gran Fondo would be incredible and what's life if everything you do is calculated?
I am with the 53. No point doubling the milage and risking an injury past mile 53
ReplyDeleteI would do the 53 and err on the side of more recovery this far out from O'side, especially with the forecast of rain and how early in the season it is. It'll provide a nice HIM cycling simulation data piece at this point in the game.
ReplyDeleteYour decision sounds like its made.
ReplyDeleteBut, food for thought: http://chuckiev.blogspot.com/2009/08/extending-yourself-by-7-kilometers.html
http://chuckiev.blogspot.com/2010/02/overly-aggressive-progressive-overload.html
btw, I have had the sweet potatoes/yams conversation with others myself! I cant wait to hear your .02. Maybe I'll respond to your post (like you said you'd do about mine, slacker! kidding...)
ReplyDeleteI would say if you REALLY wanted to do it to do it but to manage the rest of your schedule accordingly. A big jump in running miles or swimming puts undo force on your musculoskeletal system but the bike you can get away with more. You can always recover from the bike with swimming and running. Manage the schedule accordingly or play it safe and dont do it, either way have fun doing it!
ReplyDeleteps looking forward to yam discussion...by chance have nutritional information too?
Why risk physical impact and potential extended recovery from the 101? Make Herbie the Love Bug proud by paying homage to his number 53. Trade distance for intensity if you need to.
ReplyDeleteTack on a transition run for a perfect day.
i would go for the century, but i would bail if the conditions were nasty and sit on my trainer, and get a run in after. i always try to get a longer ride in about this far out from a 70.3.
ReplyDeleteIf you are healthy and otherwise mentally and physically ok AND its more than 2 weeks out from the race, do it. Its not a race, just get the miles in.
ReplyDeleteBut really i wouldnt fret it. But the devils advocate says...Go with your gut, the fact that you wrote the post makes me think you are thinking NO. So go with it:) It will be there next year:)
I think you know what you need to do. It's obvious.
ReplyDeleteI just can't wait for the sweet potato vs yam post :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, and do the 53. Ride easy with your friends, then hammer the last 20 HARD.
I would go with the 53. And I would hammer it, make those 53 miles count and then run off the bike.
ReplyDeleteI would do the 53 but that is me.
ReplyDeleteIf your gonna drive down for it, I would go ahead and do the 100. Riding for 5 hours isn't going to tear your body down that hard. That said, whenever I plan an event or race, I look at travel time included with it. Remember that the amount of time you spent away from home, how will it affect your recovery? And to always make sure that if your taking extra time to travel to do a training day, that you can still get quality recovery in. You can do all the training you want, but if you don't get good recovery in after, it was all for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a coach (duh) but I can give you countless examples of how I've undermined an event by taking on too much in too short of a time. Case in point, I completed the Vineman 70.3 the week before the San Francisco Marathon and ended up with a DNF (hip exploded at 16).
ReplyDeleteI would take on the shorter ride and stay the course with your training. You'll need your energy for some of those hills on the Oceanside bike course anyway.
All the best,
Ron
53. Anyone who tells you to go longer is a mileage junkie and must be stopped. Maggs' advice is solid.
ReplyDeleteYou know what the right answer is already anyways ;)
I'd say do what you think will be most FUN :)
ReplyDelete53, a run and a Corona Coach!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to hear which you choose. I'd be just as torn...which is why I can't offer a recommendation.
ReplyDelete