Subject: A little doubt...should I do more long days? I am following Fink's intermediate training plan but have done more speed on the run and a few longer runs and bikes than are specified in the plan. At this point the training is going great, but as I hear about other first-timers' training I am starting to wonder if I will be doing enough long "brick" type days with this plan. I know this has been discussed many times but was wanting advice specific to me. I have done several 3-4 hour rides, three 5 hour rides, and just did my first 6 hour ride yesterday.
It went well and I was able to run 8 miles and then swim a 3000 this AM without much problem. I also did one 5 hour ride followed by a 4 mile run that went GREAT.
Should I be doing a brick where I swim for 45-60 minutes, bike 80-100 miles, and then run 4-6 miles??? I know many coaches have their athletes do this but I haven't seen this in very many plans. I, however, am wiling to put in this kind of workout if I think that it will be my best bet for a confident finish. I don't, however, want to get injured or burn out. I have three young kids and have a full plate from Friday-Sunday every weekend. Not sure I have enough hours in the day to do something like this without splitting it up- i.e. 45 min swim at 5:00 AM, 5-6 hour bike at 8:30 AM, and then evening run. Is this too much? Would it be better do do a 45 minute swim/ 3 hour bike/ and 3 mile run? I just want some sound advice that is realistic from some of you have been here before. I don't want to fail and would hate to spend 7 months training only to find out I did not do enough! Call it pre-race jitters but I am not someone who goes into ANYTHING ill-prepared. Just want to cover all my bases while I still can. Taper is in 4 weeks or so!!
Thanks for your input! I know I should just trust the training, but without a coach it's so tough to know if you are doing the right thing. Just wasn't in my budget this time around!
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