A poor month for me
The result of illness and the lack of motivation that comes from uncertainty
| TIME | TSS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIKE | RUN | SWIM | OTHER | TOTAL | BIKE | RUN | SWIM | TOTAL | |
| 02:10 | 01:15 | 00:00 | 02:10 | 05:35 | 372 | 93 | 0 | 465 | |
| 03:15 | 00:55 | 00:00 | 00:40 | 04:50 | 250 | 78 | 0 | 328 | |
| 00:00 | 00:40 | 00:00 | 02:45 | 03:25 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 60 | |
| 02:05 | 02:10 | 00:00 | 00:45 | 05:00 | 109 | 259 | 0 | 368 |
Hmm, plan for the worst - hope for the best?
I’m not expecting any races this year, I’m anticipating getting pretty sick but I don’t know when, I’m also anticipating being out of work for a fair amount of time. So my marathon was postponed to Sept and I deferred it immediately to 2021. If the stars align, Europe recovers and I’m fit and healthy I’ll do Barcelona…but I think we should have a clearer idea of what autumn holds by summer.
My plan this year was sort out my run Q1 (which I think I’ve done). Q2 focus on bike and test myself on olympic courses. Q3 long course focus upto Barca. So even indoors I think I can broadly continue my plan…except I can’t run right now.
If I’m ‘lucky’ I could be healthy all year with nothing but TrainerRoad to do! 
Yeah I hear that. I’m still considering a swim spa now that I’m in isolation…paid over several years…could I really do 95% of my swim training in one? Either way I’m more jealous than ever - you can do a full virtual triathlon! 
Done.
I’m also looking at upping bike volume for two weeks (perhaps daft) at least.
Virtual 40km & 90km bikes might become my thing.
Unlikely. Iirc Ironman have said they will notify postponements a minimum of 50 days out.
I need it to warm up first.
I have a heater - but it needs to reach a set level first as 18,000L of water takes some heating
I’ve just ordered a large polytunnel/greenhouse thing to go round it to help 
Swim spars are easier to heat as they have less water- but still not cheep on electricity
The IMVR1 was basically a self supported half - eminently achievable, especially over two days.
A way to get some support/interaction meant a lot to me. After being spotted by my run club members finishing the event, we’ve all decided to hang out run club shirts in the window so runners can’t get a little boost on the lonely streets.
I still think if we could somehow get a bunch of us virtually racing at the same time it would be a laugh. This weekend is IMVR2 with a 40km bike for example.
Understandable - I’m no authority in the matter but have some thoughts on illness and training in the “Sick House” thread. And some papers on immunity and exercise in the “How does training and competing affect our immune system?” thread.
What Zwift events are interesting you? Now if they had a 180km TT…
Yeah I know what you mean, but if I was going to be in a packed crowd, I think I’d rather be in a crowd of Ironman triathletes…I cant recall ever seeing anyone sick pre-race. Halfway round the run course gel-induced vomiting doesn’t count! 
more madness! 
there used to be a slow twitch run programme knocking about anyone link me up?
That’s Ironman Ireland postponed… At least there is still IMVR
Elsinore is officially cancelled in June. Further details by 30th April on either a reschedule or full cancellation.
My 70.3 in Les Sables, France is technically still on , but i think it’s only a matter of time before all July events are cancelled. Having spent all winter training for the Brighton Marathon then planning to switch to HIM plan which is now in doubt. Like most people i’m in a bit of a limbo. I didn’t swim all winter as i spent all my time running, now i haven’t ran since Brighton was cancelled. So i’m just riding in my shed at the moment, and with no events on the immediate horizon. It’s all about FTP gains! Bring in on!
That’s the spirit!
im scheduled for Outlaw full in July as well, spoke to them on facebook and looks like they are deferring to next year but official comms havent gone out yet. Theyre still keen to put on a race this year so there might be a very late season 70.3 event… not sure yet. Edinburgh Marathon Festival is in September now so looks like there are marathons to look at
Agreed; I am going to stay fit and do whatever I feel like doing. If anything this has shown me that I truly enjoy the sport because I just like to run, bike and swim (well sans swimming right now) regardless of having a race lined up. The catch is doing long rides or long runs and loading volume high day in day our in prep for racing. I had been doing doubles and bricks since February and it was going great, and all I needed was to add 5 hour rides outside and get a bit more long run mileage and I felt I was golden. Now I will just stick to my “off season” strategy of just do whatever and pick up the pieces if a race pops up.
I think wrt the immune system, I am sure being active is great for you and if it is slightly detrimental I don’t care because I will legit go mental if I sit and do nothing for too long. 15-20 hour peak volume weeks? Yeeeah I really don’t think that is good for your immune system and catching anything right now is not really my goal. I barely get sick as it is and I would like to keep it that way as best as I can, for both my own sake and the sake of people who may be more impacted than me (and for all I know I may end up in ICU, no one knows)
180km TT? You are insane my friend lol. I will only do that outside. 3 hours is my limit on the trainer
Not expecting much, but keeping my irons in the fire until I am told to take them out.
First IM for 2020 is Vitoria in July - I cannot see this happening, so will probably cancel accommodation in the next few weeks and wait for the cancelation email after which I will transfer to Vitoria 2021. I am still training for it using DonFink plan, but settled into holding pattern of week16 in the plan, so as not to over stress the body - weekdays are fine, and then doing 3hrs TR +30min run Saturday and 60-90min run Sunday. Once it is cancelled I will revert back to base building for IM Barcelona and again go until I am told to stop.
If Barca 2020 goes ahead, I will see how the land lies with travel and COVID-19, and make a decision based on that. Accommodation is booked, but again can cancel closer to the time.
So, in a nutshell - I will train until each race is cancelled, and will then move to 2021 if needed.
For me, the training is what I enjoy (heavily curtailed for now), and the race is the cream on top with some time in the sun 
Since the May 31th race is almost certainly not happening, I interrupted my build and returned to base. You know what? Having an absolute blast! Normally early April would be the time when pressure piles on, and if I don’t do those over-unders with godly precision, for sure my race will be ruined. I’m still hoping to race in August/September, maybe July if I’m lucky, and I’ve got all this time and all this leeway in how to go about my preparations. It is the first time in my history of structured training that I’m able to ride outside in the Base phase. Today I did Berryessa outside (the one with 8x20" at 200%), for the first time, and tacked on an extra half hour of aerobic enjoyment.
I will probably be a poorer person later in the year, but pretty sure I’ll be able to feed the family and afford racing in places I can drive to, and I wasn’t going to buy any significant gear this season anyway.
Then You’re doing the right thing! Yeah!