My 2c on race planning

Last year, I refused to do City 2 Surf as it was too close to (one month before) my first marathon and despite being the same discipline (running), it was two completely different distances (42.2 vs 14 KMs) and didn’t think I could focus on two races at a time. This year, I’ve already done a (sprint) triathlon, two Duathlons , two half marathons and a marathon. I’ve still got many more races planned for the year..

This does look like a busy race calendar and (understandably) I’ve been told by many concerned friends that I’m doing too many races and I should just focus on one or two for the year or I’ll lose interest.. I thought I’ll try to explain my logic..

Thanks to tips from many triathletes I’ve met and info from various articles, I’ve used a grading technique to grade my races. The grading scales for my races is A to D (A being top priority).

Grading is my guide for the following:

· Amount of race specific training I’ll be doing in the leadup

· Tapering (Relaxing and cutting down on volume in the lead up to the race)

· Mental race planning in the leadup

· Pre-race diet

· How fast/hard I hope to push myself at the race*

· Recovery time after the race

*I usually try to push myself as hard as possible (within my abilities) on race day.. but the end result would vary depending on the preparation.

As a guide,
Grade D race will be more or less a tough training run with minimal preparation. I did the race 2 of the Duathlon series a week before my Marathon and with no cycling training. I also had a big night before the race but my sole aim was to simply have some fun and get one last tough training session prior to tapering for the marathon. I also wanted to get out early in the morning on a chilly winter day to get myself prepared for similar weather at the marathon..

Grade A race will be the key race for the year. This will be the Sydney marathon for me this year.

Based on the above, my race plan / calendar is as follows :


(may need to click on it to view it more clearly - HTML is not my strength!)

Entering races are usually not too cheap either.. but I still think I 'profit' mainly phyisically and financially by racing and not having a big night (or two) in town :)

I would have to change my plans if I was injured and/or have any other commitments.

This is my 2 cents on Race planning. Hopefully this will assist someone with their race plans! :)

"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. "
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)