For IM and HIM training I average 500 TSS across swimming biking and running, I peak at 680. That is all I can recover, even with good sleep and a fresh and balanced diet. I average between 60 and 70 TSS per hour. My plan consists of TR LV plans, 2-3 runs (1 hard, one long, occasionally a short brick) and two swims per week.
Thank you guys for your support - with the time passing, I’m pretty happy with the race actually.
But this ‘Unfinished business’ feeling didn’t go away entirely. And I hate unfinished business, so I did the only rational thing I could do.
I registered for Nice 2020 
To quote Arnold - I’ll be back !
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Boom! That’s the attitude 
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Thanks and appreciate it. I guess I was thinking it was low but maybe not based on the responses. I am doing HV 1/2 base starting tonight with my running.
I honestly like the 4 days of riding on the tri plans as it works for mt scheudle. As much as I would like to do 5-6 or cycling and running it does not work out with me work travel scheudle. The 4 at least I can move things around to accomodate. Swimming will come in a few months.
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and @JoeX: I checked out Vitoria Gasteiz. Looks like a great event! Unfortunately the timing doesn’t work out for me due to my job.
I am now considering Lanza and Nice, I think both could be epic. Hamburg would be another alternative, I’ve lived there before and it should be fun to be back.
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I’ve just looked in TP and Im doing between 500 and 600 following the Long Distance Low volume plan (currently 3rd week of speciality) without much running due to a calf niggle and 2 swims per week. Manageable with at least 8hrs sleep and a sneaky 10 if the kids behave. Eating too much and the scales have gone up a touch but focused on proper recovery.
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Thanks. I moved the TR 1/2 HV down to MV for base to see what happens. I can always add another ride or just add time into the long ride which will probably work better. Did Chatty 70.3 in 2018 and had a good time and looking forward to at least 2 more 70.3’s in 2020.
A bit late to this, and I know @joex said outright “no,” but I’ll open the door… On whether to run the Marathon du Mont Blanc a month before an IM, it depends on your running fitness and goals, along with nature of the IM’s run. If you are trail endurance trained and your IM run is hilly, then, yes, go for it. If your IM run is flat on road and if you want to do well on the run, or “well enough,” then it’s likely to be detrimental to your goal. The trail run will help develop power and endurance but not “speed endurance” you’ll need for a flat that doesn’t give you a “recovery window” of a downhill (which if technical can be mentally, not just physically) or an uphill walk, which is expected in trail marathons and ultras, especially one with 2800m of ascent.
If the Outlaw run, which I could look up but haven’t, is hilly with steep climbs (not just rollers), and if you’re not looking to PR at Outlaw, and if you have a strong trail base (and some experience running trail at this distance and beyond), then go for it.
I haven’t run the Marathon du Mont Blanc, but having run ultras in the general region (including accumulating points for a 2018 lottery for the CCC, the 101km with 6100m of ascent event that’s part of the UTMB festival, I passed on the lottery to return to IM with IM Wales last year), those hills are mean and steep and beautiful, and will trash you if you’re not prepared. The aid stations, however, will be wonderful! Meats, cheeses, fresh fruit… volunteers that will fill your bottles for you (because you’ll be carrying your own hydration, adding weight).
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They could almost not be any more different. The run at outlaw goes around a boating lake (tarmac path) then out along a riverside path (chalk then tarmac) and is almost as flat as can possibly be 
So if I did both I’d be plodding in at Outlaw, my time out the window. I think I could maybe live with that if I smash the bike. As for the trail marathon, I live near to the South Downs which are not very big (max 200m) but can be reasonably steep for training. The alternative is to target an early season IM then focus on the run afterwards or skip 2020 and come back for an IM attempt in 2021.
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If you don’t have the power and endurance for trail marathon (or longer), including the experience with this length, or longer, it’s likely your bike will suffer, too, because your legs (and cardio) will be pounded more than you expect. A trail race with that climbing is nothing like a road marathon, even if it had similar ascent: your IF is vastly different, your power output is greater though your speed is much lower across the terrain you’ll encounter. And, for an event like this, you must carry 1-1.5 l of liquid (plus carbs and some required kit, which is generally is a charged phone, emergency blanket, rain jacket, cup because aid stations won’t have, or will have limited numbers of, paper cups, plus you’ll probably have a GoPro), depending on your needs and aid station placement, which are much fewer in number and thus farther apart than a road event (in this race, I’d guess there will be 5 stations, but I’ve been in races where stations are 7-12 miles apart, and they aren’t as regularly placed as road stations).
South Downs does have some climbs, some steep, but you’ll have to do repeats on those hills. I’ve only run a few times around South Downs (just the eastern reaches) so I’m sure you can find great stretches and even some small climbs (which you’ll need to do repeats on). If you’re around Surrey, there are some brutal steep, technical-ish hiking/walking trails to run up around Box Hill.
There’s also the point of whether you might use, or be allowed to use as some events don’t permit them, trekking poles. If you do intend to, make sure you practice with them. There is a technique to their use and it enables recruiting your upper body to help move you along, up, “flat,” and even down (though that’s generally not recommended, it’s not like skiing 
) They can help a lot, but you need to practice with them (and be careful how you carry them and don’t stab anyone when in a bunch, including on single track 
)
So, it’s up to you and your goals. If you’re looking to complete and “just” enjoy the opportunity, well, then factor that in. Trail marathons like this one, and ultras, are great for off-season, early-season endurance and power development and to change up your training and scenery, though they tend to be less family-as-spectator friendly… in general, they can be a fun distraction. Trail running races tend to be far more friendly affairs than triathlons, by the way.
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I know a bunch of guys who raced at hamburg the other week, there wasn’t a great deal of love for the course. In particular the bike course and road quality was a common complaint.
Has anyone tried Maarten?
Is it better than tailwind? Can you really ingest more calories? I currently can take about 400 cal per hour of tailwind and cliff bars combined, so 80-100 grams sugar.
Also does the lack of electrolytes bother anyone? Do you take skratch or something along with it?
There is very little flavour fatigue with Maurten, I don’t like the drink anywhere near as much as the gels, they are much firmer than the normal sugar syrup gels and much less messy.
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It’s race week here and I am getting the taper crazies. Send help.
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Taper crazies are just building motivation for race day!
I’m at the end of three days shuffling around Disneyland, my body is aching to run…
I guess that means you’re recovered from Zurich! What’s next on your plan?
It’s a horrible time.
Glass half full? Believe in what you’ve already done. It’s enough.
Glass half empty? It’s too late to add any fitness anyway you and would only add unnecessary fatigue.
Look forward to getting it all out there on race day
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Thanks for the laugh. 
I’m at the stage where every step/crack in the sidewalk/whatever is out to get me.
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With you completely, first week of taper, next will be worse. Don’t anybody sneeze, what sessions I do have are the worst ones ever…
The taper does me in every time.
All the best for your race.
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