Swinford half ironman (training for Galway?)

AndyC80

Folks,

I've signed up for the Galway 70.3 half iron man and my training is not going well. This is the event im looking forward to the most this year and its the one I want to "peak" in. This will be first half ironman. I blame my lack of training on the weather mostly but my motivation is really up and down. I really find it hard to get out there in the evenings. I have only managed three or four 50k plus cycles so far this year and one Olympic distance triathlon. I finished that in a time of 2:54, which I was happy with, but it made me realise how unfit I was for the 70.3. I was close to collapsing on the run and I was exausted when I crossed the finish line.


The Swinford half ironman looks like a very well organised race!

1. Would it be worth my while competing in that to test and improve my fitness levels?
2. Would it be a worthwhile boost to my training and bring me along nicely for the 70.3 or is it too close to the main event?
3. Is there a danger of overdoing it? i.e competing in two half ironman distance events within six weeks of each other?

Your expertise on this on this will be much appreciated..

Thks
Andy

catweazle

Hi Andy

I am no expert but i know 2 or 3 guys from my club using Swinford as a training race for Galway. More than likely you will learn a few lessons from the Swinford one as in

did you get your nutrition strategy right (swinford was my first race last year and I realised after I didn't eat enough on the bike)

did you pace the bike right to allow you to run off it - its a fast bike in Swi nford if the wind is right and I went too hard and paid for it on the run

Confidence of getting the swim distance in, the lake is sheltered so its more than likely going to be a calm, easy swim

The bike profile is similar at both races you will get long straights where you will be down on the aero bars for long periods.

It may be the motivation you need short term to start getting the work done

I don't know the pros and cons of two Ironman distance races in 6 weeks but if Swinford is kept as a C priority race and make sure you dont go too deep i would think 6 weeks should be enough of a time gap

pgibbo

Hi Andy,
Personally I'd be of the opposite opinion to CW. If you were nearly collapsing at the end of the run on the OLY, why would you do the Swinford event if things haven't improved? Unless you've increased your cycle distances and frequency of them then you'd be better off putting in a good training day rather than risking injury or a blow to your confidence by doing Swinford. The recovery from a HIM over an OLY is quite significant, especially if you have only done a handful of 50k plus cycles.
How often do you bike and run each week and what's the plan for these in the lead up to Galway? My 2c.

P.

catweazle

Good point Gibbo

Another option would be to drop an email into the organisers and see if they can fix you up with a relay team. I know last year they had loads of teams looking for either a swimmer or a cyclist and I am sure its the same this year

macinalli

AndyC80 wrote: »

I blame my lack of training on the weather mostly but my motivation is really up and down.

I could be wrong, but isn't the whole ironman thing about being tough as f*ck and not staying in because it's raining. I'm sure that someone will be along shortly with an appropriate 4 letter acronym!

Seriously though, if you can't get yourself going for your main race this year, what makes you think that Swinford will be any different?

Bambaata

Id be of the opinion that Swinford might not be a good idea if you haven’t the training in. You're going to have to address the motivation issues. Weather isn’t an excuse that can be used unless its 100km/hr winds and you've a bike planned but then you could swim or run ;-) If you are struggling to get out on your own check if there are any others you could join with for some sessions, or would before work be easier. I suffer myself a fair bit with the couch syndrome, its hard to get off it after a long day at work. 1 way around it for me is to cycle into work and cycle from work rather than going home and then cycling. Running - i try to get in at lunchtime and swimming i do before work as i don’t wake up til i hit the water and by then it’s too late to back out :P Weekends are easier when not working but the long sessions are important.

Maybe go back to why you want to do Galway, why do you want to do triathlon at all, go back to the route of the motivation issue, register for some sprint races if you think they might help and see where that takes you. Races can inspire motivation but they won’t hold it up if in your heart you're really not that interested. And by all means you could still do Galway if the motivation and training isn’t there but you won’t be giving yourself a fair crack at it and you’ll be in for a hard day!

AndyC80

Thanks for the advice folks. I think I like Catweazles guidance. It makes sense! If im to compete in my first half ironman and do as well as I possibly can, I need to test the water first and I think Swinford would be ideal. I still have a bit of time to seriously up the training volume and Swinford will give me the impetus to do that! However, I will try calm my competiveness and not push myself too hard as i dont want to risk injury. Ill treat it as a glorified, but highly beneficial training swim, cycle, run and hopefully finish with renewed confidence.

Thanks again lads

catweazle

AndyC80 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice folks. I think I like Catweazles guidance.

Jaysus don't be taking my advice ahead of some of those heavy hitters below me

RedB

AndyC80 wrote: »

Folks,

I've signed up for the Galway 70.3 half iron man and my training is not going well. .... I was close to collapsing on the run and I was exausted when I crossed the finish line.

This looks like one for me given my vast experience of undertraining and overstretching in this regard . I'd concentrate on training for Galway as you've got a decent amount of time left to build on what you've got to date. Its a different level again at HIM and you'd be better getting in the longer quality sessions rather than trying to wedge Swinford into that block. If you haven't got the training done, then Swinford will be messy and what's the point of that apart from maybe as a motivational tool. IMO you'd be far better focusing your motivating on cleanly hitting Galway as best you can and maybe fitting in a fast Olympic Tri instead as a training event.
My 2c.