Sanity check--training for two events

4boysmom · Mar 19, 2011

On second thought, forget the sanity. It's a lost cause.
 
Here's the deal. For the past several years, I've done either a half or full marathon the first week in April. Then, focus training on TOSRV, the 2-day 210mile bicycle tour. Only problem we've ever had was the year the race was moved to the 2nd week of April, which put us behind on bike training.
 
I had planned on doing the same thing this year. However, training just isn't coming along and I don't feel ready for the HM this year. It's my only HM, so an A race where I really want to break 1:50.
 
I've found another HM that's two weeks later. It's very similar--mostly on a rails to trails--so matches my training. After today's long run, I feel that two extra weeks would be very beneficial. Maybe, just maybe that 1:50 will go down (PR 1:50:52)
 
But... putting the HM off two weeks will affect TOSRV training. Two weeks after the HM, we'd be doing our 85/85 ride. Then the following weekend is TOSRV. I don't see how I can get my long rides in while focusing on HM training. The only thing I can see doing is cutting my swim to 2 days from the current 3.
 
I've done TOSRV 20+ times. It's a tour so I don't take it seriously. I've done it at the peak of fitness. I've done it pregnant. I've done it with less than 500miles training. So I know I can do it. It's just a matter of how much it's gonna hurt. Oh, and it's a given that son1 is gonna leave me in his dust.
 
Any suggestions on how to train for both?

pcsronbo · Mar 20, 2011

I dont really see this as a problem. You've done it friggin pregnant, I mean come on. You have the base. And you SAY you are not taking it seriously.
 
So, focus on the HM training and every non running day needs to be with your butt on the saddle as recovery time maybe? Can you stagger your long runs on Wed and long Rides on weekends - to balance the long stuff out?

juliemboyle · Mar 20, 2011

I don't think it would be an issue either. I'm sure you could get up today and do the ride for pete's sakes. Not maybe at the same pace as you would if you were properly trained, but yes you could do it. If you truly aren't taking the tour seriously I think this is a good plan.

4boysmom · Mar 20, 2011

Thanks guys. It's been a weird start to the season. Had planned on doing the full, then got injured when I fell on the ice. Dropping to the half should have been easy, with all the full training. Not sure what happened, but felt like I was starting from square one with no fitness and no motivation. Then, to realize I've done no bicycling and I can't focus on that for a couple more weeks. OY!!! Panic mode!!!
 
I managed to knock out 12 on the track yesterday morning before work. Another running way before sunrise, and I don't feel safe on the road. Not hte pace I wanted, but not half bad either. In the afternoon son1 and I did a 24m spin that wasn't half bad. I skipped my swim this morning, then in the afternoon did a solo 30m. Pace sucks on the bike, but at least I'm getting some miles in.

jenotter · Mar 21, 2011

I've never trained for a ride like that, but like others have said, it sounds like you could go out and do it today. I think putting the emphasis on the HM is fine right now, then go have fun on your ride after you smash that 1:50.

jroden · Mar 26, 2011

It's just a cycle tour, it should be a fun diversion after the grind of training all winter for a marathon. I've done that thing a bunch of times and it's just a fun training ride except when the weather is bad, then is's a crummy training ride. I would not feel any pressure to "train" for a bike tour, who trains for an event that features 10 snack stops and a sit down lunch half way? It's just for fun.

4boysmom · Mar 26, 2011

Bit of change in plans here... I've had this nagging knee issue, most likely ITBS. Every run was hurting and I was dreading my runs. But, I'd get on the bike and everything would loosen up and I'd be pain free. Okay, I may be daft here, but it finally dawned on me that I needed to--get this--STOP RUNNING and let this thing heal. So, unless my MT can do some serious magic on Tuesday, I will not be racing this spring. I'll have a charity 5K mid-May, and my first tri (Oly) is in early June. Plenty of time to get healthy.
 
jr--"except for when weather is bad". Uh, just what years did you ride it that weather was good?! Headwinds both days and rain are the norm. We only make one stop in Chillicothe and try to make that no more than 20mins. There's church group that has a stop at the light in Waverly and they'll top off water bottles without having to get off the bike. Sunday, we'll again stop in Chillicothe, then maybe in Circleville. Getting back on the bike is what sucks, so I try to avoid that as much as possible!

jroden · Mar 27, 2011

I did it one year in the late 1990's when it was very warm and windy, I got a sunburn even. Most other years it was dreadful. I saw more crashes in than in a fast criterium in the rain, the one year I did it someone was struck by a car and killed

4boysmom · Mar 27, 2011

'85 there was a guy hit by a drunk driver. We went by shortly after it happened. It looked very, very bad. The guy lived and did come back the next year.
 
'09 there was a guy hit, but he wasn't on the official route. He was on 23. Pouring rain, poor visibility. He was riding solo at that point, but the group he was with had been warned in previous years to stay off 23. It was a fatal hit and run. First accident related fatality.
 
Previous to that, the only fatality was on School House hill where a guy died of a heart attack.

jroden · Mar 27, 2011

Yes, i was thinking of the year the man was on route 23, maybe i read it in the paper and it got put in my memory in the wrong place. I moved away from ohio in the early 2000's . I used to do those tours from time to time and my wife and I both did GOBA, but never together, oddly enough. I always wanted to do that fall challenge tour down south in the hills but never made it, I used to train and race down theere in Hocking Hills a lot

Sanity check--training for two events

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