50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!

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2012-12-26 10:34 AM

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Subject: 50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!

So I registered for a 50 miler ultra a few months back that takes place at the end of March (Grasslands 50). However, I really would like to get a full 140.6 under my belt this year. My options are limited since I really don't want to have to travel that far to get this done (live in Dallas). So I was thinking of doing the RedMan 140.6 event in OKC which is in September.

Last year I completed 3 full marathons and a 70.3 mixed in with a few half marathons for fun. I've all but abandoned my swimming and am only riding on the trainer a few days a week while I built my base for the events I just completed and the 50 in front of me. 

My question is.... Will it be ok to try and complete both these events within the same year, or am I pushing it too hard? How should I schedule it with training? Should I focus on swimming/riding at all while working on this ultra?

2012-12-26 10:40 AM
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Subject: RE: 50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!
ElMatadorBorracho - 2012-12-26 10:34 AM

So I registered for a 50 miler ultra a few months back that takes place at the end of March (Grasslands 50). However, I really would like to get a full 140.6 under my belt this year. My options are limited since I really don't want to have to travel that far to get this done (live in Dallas). So I was thinking of doing the RedMan 140.6 event in OKC which is in September.

Last year I completed 3 full marathons and a 70.3 mixed in with a few half marathons for fun. I've all but abandoned my swimming and am only riding on the trainer a few days a week while I built my base for the events I just completed and the 50 in front of me. 

My question is.... Will it be ok to try and complete both these events within the same year, or am I pushing it too hard? How should I schedule it with training? Should I focus on swimming/riding at all while working on this ultra?



That's six months between races. After the ultra I'd start in on the swimming, first, because that's low impact on the legs, thus giving them time to recover, then find a nice four- or five-month IM training plan, and start in April or May. Sounds like you'll have the run fitness down, so just maintain that, and hit the swim and bike hard and you should be OK, as long as you follow the plan. BT has a nice beginner ironman plan for performance members.
2012-12-26 10:42 AM
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Subject: RE: 50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!

Considering your massive aerobic running base you won't have any problems finishing the cycling part, you're definitely fit enough to do it (especially since you've already got experience in long distance rides). Then once you're done with your 50, transition your training to include swim/bike. You're your own judge! Good luck!

Thats 6 months to get swimming and biking back and run maintenance, which should be plenty of time. If you hop in the pool once or twice a week even during your 50-miler training it might loosen up your legs a bit and be a nice change of pace. Plus you'll remember how to swim when it comes to that 5 to 6 month block in tackling that 140.6.



Edited by odpaul7 2012-12-26 10:44 AM
2012-12-26 5:43 PM
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Subject: RE: 50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!

I did my first 50-miler 10 weeks prior to my first Ironman back in 2009.  I treated the 50 as a long training day and a chance to build some mental toughness figuring if I could still run 10 hours into a day running, I could still run 10 hours into a day swimming and cycling.  Having said that, I was fully prepared to DNF the 50 if it was jeopardizing my IM (blisters, or muscle fatigue that left me at risk of pulling a muscle). 

2012-12-26 7:32 PM
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Subject: RE: 50 Miler or Full IM training schedule help!
You should be fine. When I was building to my first 50 miler I still swam once a week simply because it felt good to stretch out. Same with the bike, if for no other reason except I wanted to do something other than run. One of the biggest reasons for me doing the ultra was filling the space between an IM in early May 2012 and a HIM in mid-July followed by IMLT in mid-September. Its a great tool to build patience, for me it was anyway.
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