OctoberBlue

Here's the deal. Since riding my MS 150 nearly a month ago, I've only managed 2 bike rides: one on the roadie and one on the MTB, about 13 miles each.

What have I been doing instead? Well, I took the time to concentrate on my running and ran a 5k race on Saturday. (Reached a new Personal Best time of 27:25. YAY!)

Meanwhile, I'm considering doing a run/bike biathlon Oct. 19th. Am I nuts to think I'd be ready for that by then? :confused: It would be a 5k run followed by a 16 mile bike ride. I've never done one of these before.

The kicker is... I'm going on a backpacking trip for a week this month. Will these 1 or 2 week-long 'holes' in my training time affect me adversely? I don't expect to finish first, but I don't want to be last to cross the line either.

Thoughts? :confused: Essentially, I have a month to get my act together.

L J Horton

There is no reason you can't finish the biathlon. You've still been active with your running and hiking and so your body hasn't started shutting down yet. All you really need is a positive attitude to get you through it. Neither distance is very daunting, but you shouldn't allow your ego and fear of a poor performance intimidate you. Do it! And have fun! Because that's what makes it worthwhile. Let us know how it goes.

deliriou5

uh... i spent a whole month off of the bike and i was 90% back to where i was before within 2 weeks

you have NOTHING to worry about

kiingfinny

Im sure youll do well as long as you keep moving and smiling...after all, fun is the point of competing in these events. let us know how it goes

OctoberBlue

Ok, after much mental debate and such, I've decided not to do it... YET. My training, especially on bike has really gone to heck. The hiking trip (Smoky Mtns. of Tennessee) was so awesome that we're doing another one in Kentucky (shorter this time) the same weekend as the Biathlon. I've come to the conclusion that there isn't enough time for me to train and be comfortable doing a Biathlon so soon anyway, with the days growing shorter. (Darn work thing always gets in the way.)

So... my new and improved goal is to race a Duathlon in the Spring. By then, I'll have a better mental focus. I think that I've been suffering a slight case of burnout lately. Meanwhile, I'm ramping up my running and will do the Race for the Cure 5k this weekend.

Thanks for the support and advice though. It will surely come in handy in a few months.