How should you rest and recover in between triathlons?

By Heather Fuhr

I am doing my first sprint triathlon in May (1/4 mi,12mi,5K). I am doing my 2nd triathlon 6 weeks later. The only difference is the bike is 18 miles vs. 12. How should I rest/train between the two events. Should I train as if the 1st triathlon is an 18 mile bike? or is there enough time between the two to cover the increased distance? Thank you.

Answer: I would suggest that you train for your first race keeping in mind that you have your longer race afterwards. There is plenty of time between the races to get in some additional training, but it is always better to build a strong base of training early in the year. So, train knowing that if you had to, you could complete 18 miles on the bike for the first race. This will allow you to get the majority of your training prior to the first race. For the 6 weeks between the races: you will want to make sure that you take a week easy after your first race before you resume any sort of hard training for the second race. While it is fine to do some workouts, just keep them short and easy. This will then give you 4 weeks of training to get ready for the second race, which is more that enough time to add some more fitness. Then the week of the 2nd race, taper your workouts down again, so that you are rested and ready to race!!! Enjoy!!!

Heather has been racing in the sport of triathlon for the past 17 years. Throughout her career she has specialized in Ironman distance racing. With 15 Ironman victories to her credit she is second only to the great Paula Newby Fraser on the all time Ironman Win List. Included in those 15 Ironman victories is a World Championship title at the 1997 Ironman World Triathlon Championships in Kona, Hawaii.