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Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off

devashish_paul

Mar 18, 04 6:46

Post #1 of 9 (222 views)

Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off	Can't Post

I read with interest Dan's article about how he felt on day 1 of Semicamp after a number of days off....crappy !

Here is the scoop. Since Xmas, I've only taken one day totally off training. Every other day, I train at least a bit, even if it is a 30 min roller ride and I typically feel better than if I take a full day off. On a smaller scale, kind of like a Tour de France rider on race day.

During the summer, before half Ironman races, I take two full days off. I know what typically happens. I feel like crap during the swim and for the first 30 min of the ride, but after that, with all the rest, I can tear up the course. So over 4.5 hours, I am willing to go slower for 60-80 min before really revving it up. I have never been a great swimmer so no big deal if I miss "the train".

Anyway, I have my last XC ski race of the year this weekend. It is 50K, with ~3000ft of climbing, so a tough course, and it will take me around 2:45 - 3 hours. Of crtical importance is to hang in with the "train" out of the chute, since drafting is huger at 15-60 kph on skis then it is on a bike, mainly due to frontal area.

Today was a day off to rest up. But it turns up that tomorrow, I might be forced into another rest day as I have to come to work early, leave at noon and then drive 8 hours to the race site.

If I take two full days off, I know I will feel crappy in the first 60 min and may risk getting on the "train". Should I therefore squeeze in a light 20 min run tomorrow nite when I arrive at the hotel, or do I take two full days off and count on an extra long warmup to shake out the cobwebs (the risk of an extra long warmup is a bonk later in the race though).

Forgetting about the fact that this is an XC ski race. If you were to do a tri of 3 hours in duration, what would you do:

a.) 2 days off and 45-60 min per race warmup, or

b) day off, but do 20 min jog and stretching the nite before and 20 min warmup on race day.

Becca

Mar 18, 04 6:53

Post #2 of 9 (211 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [devashish paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Option B!

devashish_paul

Mar 18, 04 7:30

Post #3 of 9 (172 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [Becca] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, I am impressed...Becca responded to this on topic thread about pre race tapering. I guess most folks are not into race season yet, so don't have much to offer with respect to their usual last 48 hour taper approaches.

Becca, thanks, I think I will aim for option B, unless of course, I have to drive in a snowstorm (unlikely) and my 8 hour drive turns into 10 hours :-(

Becca

Mar 18, 04 7:47

Post #4 of 9 (156 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [devashish paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you hydrate too much unfortunately, that drive could go over due to all the pit stops. :) Good luck in your race BTW!

Herschel34

Mar 18, 04 7:51

Post #5 of 9 (151 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [devashish paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you can go to work early, work, drive 8hrs and then get your ass out for a run, I'll be very impressed. I think you should get the 20 minute run after work but before you get in the car. At least then it won't be hanging over your head all day.

Good luck in the race!

Fluffyjoes

Mar 18, 04 7:51

Post #6 of 9 (148 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [devashish paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The second option, I can't stand taking a complete day off prior to a race. 2 days out, I can do that, but the day before I need a workout.

Good luck

timberwolf

Mar 18, 04 8:17

Post #7 of 9 (132 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [Fluffyjoes] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Option B. Intellectually, I understand tapering, but physically, it doesn't seem to work for me. If you are staying in a hotel, you might even do some good old fashioned calestenics(sp?). The long pre-race warm up tends to mess me up more than anything. What's that saying about an object in motion...

HTH

Brett

smartasscoach

Mar 18, 04 8:22

Post #8 of 9 (124 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [devashish paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Option B. If you can insert some high intensity efforts on that 20min jog, even better. Maybe hills will simulate skiing a bit better.

Also do that jog as soon as you finish yuor drive, provided you're well hydrated and nourished. You'll feel crappy but it will help you recover from the stiffness of the drive.
-
"Yeah, no one likes a smartass, but we all like stars" - Thom Yorke

smartasscoach.tri-oeiras.com

(This post was edited by smartasscoach on Mar 18, 04 8:24)

devashish_paul

Mar 18, 04 8:26

Post #9 of 9 (119 views)

Re: Closed for Remodelling: Advice on Pre Race Days off [smartasscoach] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'll take the advice of all the tri-sages on this forum and go with option B provided that I arrive before 9 pm. To Smartasscoach, the hotel is on the edge of a cliff like hill. All the running there will be pretty well up or downhill ! Thanks all.