Back to Back Events?

bstamps12

My first sprint tri for the year is June 9th. My second sprint tri is June 24th. There is a century ride on June 23rd that also has a 35 mile option. Would it be crazy to do the 35 miler on June 23rd and the sprint tri on June 24th?

Background on me: cycling is my weak leg. Swimming is my strongest leg and I'll have done 2 half marathons by that point, so running isn't bad and I know I've got it in me to "finish" the tri's strong. The 35 miler is pretty flat but the sprint tri is nothing but hills. BUT the sprint tri is in my backyard, where I have plenty of time to train on the hills and I've done 2 tri's on this course last year. This particular sprint is 450yd swim, 13.5 mi bike, 3 mi run. My longest ride to this point is 22 miles, but I live in a very hilly area whereas the 35 miler is flat which makes a big difference in my endurance. I'm doing a tri series and I'm okay with not PR'ing in this one, I just need to compete in it to get my points for the series.

Has anyone done something like this before? With my background, would you do both events? Pros/cons? Thanks!

Athena413

I have crazy friends who do stuff like that - last year my friend Louis did a century ride on Saturday and a half marathon the next day - but he's conditioned to do things like that. I think you'd probably be fine, especially if the 35 miles is flat like you say. I personally wouldn't do it, but that's just because I know my body's limits and know I need extra time to recover from longer distances. With your racing background, I think you could handle it, especially with still having 3 months to train.

rob_v

You know your body best, if you think you can handle it, then go for it. Personally, 35 is light enough that I wouldnt worry about it. However, I would not push it at all. Just a nice steady below race pace.

I think everyone has some of those crazy *kitten* friends. Last year we did an olympic tri together, (which she won), the next day she did a sprint (which she won) then the following week did another olympic (which she took 2nd) . For me, the olympic was enough. I was a hurting unit the next day! Back then my body was not meant to go that hard!

trijoe

My two cents:

The best way to know how you'll do on back to back events is to train and gauge back to back events. Take a weekend, where you long ride Saturday, then brick workout Sunday. How do you feel on Sunday? How is your endurance? Your muscles? Your ability to pull yourself to the Sunday starting line?

Last year some friends and I did the Savageman True Savage 100. 30mile hill race Saturday, 70mile hill race Sunday. I trained through the summer to do two long high intensity interval days back to back. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary.

My guess is, your neighborhood hill ride will be a good starting point. Try getting that up to 35 miles, then bike/run the next day. I know the bike ride is flat, but you'll probably be pushing pretty hard as you'll be all pumping with adrenaline, and will wear yourself out more than you think.

So my two cents is, work up to 35 miles of hills, then do a 35mile Saturday ride followed by a 2 hour Sunday bike/run brick. If you're still walking by Sunday afternoon? You're in like flint!

My best guess - which is not advice, just a gut feeling - is that you'll do just fine.

trijoe

YIKES! I forgot to add: Nutrition is huge. You want to make sure when you're done with your ride to quick replace your calories. If you don't, your body will feel undernourished on race day, and oooh, that's bad... It's not easy finding that sweet spot between eating back hard workout calories and pigging out.

But it is important.

Good luck!

coronalime

Ok 1st ? Why do the 35 miler ride? Are you training for something bigger later? Are you on a track to do a Olympic or 1/2 IM in the near/ distance future.

Are you "seasoned"?

I am by no means a great athlete..However Sprint tris I use as "training" runs for my 1/2 IM's..So doing a sprint doesnt hurt me by any means. But I dont "race".. I do my best but its not like I cant walk the next day. I have alot of weekends where I have to bike huge and then do a small sprint the next day. I know in July I'm biking 80 and the next day is a Sprint..

scott091501

I'd do it, but I'm crazy like that. I have a Houston to Austin charity ride the weekend before my first race of the year. Let's hope my legs recover or that damn bridge at the end of the run is going to hurt.

cliffdc

What's the worst that could happen? Usually once a year I race bikes and do a triathlon in the same weekend; once in the same day!

You just feel the fatigue and lose any "snap" the legs may have had.

The Sprint is SHORT, you'll be fine!

bstamps12

The 35 mile ride is part of a charity ride. They have the 35, 50, and 100 mile rides. My dad is doing the 100 mile ride and wants me to do part of it with him, so that's why I'm contemplating the 35 mile ride.

Also, if I push myself to train for the 35 mile ride, I might, *MIGHT* consider doing an Olympic tri later in the summer since it 's only the bike leg that's held me back from that anyways.

The hard training weekends sound like the best way to gage my true ability for this. Thanks for all of the feedback. Keep it coming

scott091501

If you can ride 15 you can ride 35. Now can you ride them fast? Or after a mile swim and before a 10k? IDK, but if you have the stamina for a sprint then a 35 mile charity ride is cake. Anywho just realize if this is your first time riding 35 miles you are going to wake up the next day sore and won't be at your best for the tri.

carolinagirl7

I think you could do it. You are doing great with your training. I liked the idea of trying a long ride on Sat and a brick workout on Sunday. If you can handle it, or work your way up to it, all should be good. The sprint tri on Sun is short.