Longer SBR's or do bricks and/or weights?

The answer as always is, "it depends" - my thoughts would be to start training by time, not distance, so if you can bike for two hours and run for 1:15 (not neccessarily) back to back, then I would say you can do an OLY distance race. Adding ten minutes to a run is much easier mentally then saying you have to add 1 mile each week - at least in my experience. On your 'should you stop bricks and go longer' - well if you use one of the plans on this site, you may get more structure and the guesswork is taken out of the equation for you but my answer would be to alternate - one week go longer, one week do the brick and the weights. Whatever your limiter is though, deserves the most attention or you won't get better at that discipline. Hope this helps!

Good work there, you've been doing some good volumes 

I did an Oly each of my first two years and had a hard time with the runs.  However your steady training is light years ahead of where I was back then.  I see you use a HR monitor.  Have you performed the LT tests to determine your proper HR training zones?  If not, I recommend doing them and then you can start to train longer with the right information.  Basically in 7 months last year I went from barely Oly shape to confident HIM shape using HR/RPE and time training.  When I went longer I  limited the lifting and I don't do any leg workouts.  I mostly limit bricks until about 4 weeks before an event, that's when I get the game face on! 

I say register for the Oly, do the LT tests, download a training plan and get to work to rock it!

thanks Mike and Donpett -

I guess I've been trying to cram in as much as possible given my time and ability (in terms of distance and speed or lack of). Yeah, I know about the limiter dealeo. I spent lots of time on swimming in December and it paid off in terms of comfortability (if that's a word) in the water .. maybe some speed and endurance too. But I actually like swimming now!

Thanks Donto -

Ya know, that LT training eludes me! I usually train in my mid-to high HR range and know that that may not be a good thing at least for longer distances. I can't figure out how to do the tests myself...looks mighty complicated. I do know that for me to 'go slow' on the run would mean practically walking! lol!

6 miles running would have sounded like a full marathon to me a year ago...now, hmmmm.. not so far. But the longer swim - .75 mile, plus 50 some odd bike miles....THEN 6... oh brother...I'd better get training

You can't figure out a LT test?

Warm up.  Go as hard as you can for 30 minutes.  Hit lap on your HRM at 10 minutes and take your average HR for the last 20.  There's a rough approximation of your LT.

Doing it is far harder than figuring out how to do it.

My suggestion is to pick a training plan here on BT and follow it. They are designed well and you can choose the one that addresses your limitor as you say swimming and fits into your life with time constraints.

Also I'd encourage you to start running outside instead of always on the treadmill. Running outside is far different than the treadmill. You'll need to invest in some clothes if you don't have any and if my guess you live in WI is right. 

I'd suggest plan on doing the Oly pick a Oly training plan but do your first sprint and see how it goes and after you'll have more insight if that distance feels right to you.

No reason to do 2 bricks a week. I do one long of each thing most weeks which is pretty common...after my long ride I normally run (not now recovering from running injury).

Yeah, I am a dweeb. But main problem is---don't have a lap button on my HRM. Any other way to do it?

Yeah, that would be a problem. 

Can you just run with your finger on your carotid artery for 30 minutes? 

thanks KathyG - yep, in WI. We are due to see some warmer weather soon. The cold aint so bad but its the ice that freaks me out a bit...

I'm off to FL Saturday for a few days so will get out and run there.