Marmotte - Weekday training only?

Rushie

So look, I know I've missed the entry-only for the Marmotte but there are still companies doing package places. Ignoring the benefits/demerits of entry-only vs. package, if I want to do it this year I have to stump up the cash and book a package as it is my only option - fair enough. But my problem is that after doing last year's Etape and being out riding both days most weekends until the end of the season, I need to put some time back into the missus & kids. So that means weekday training only. I was thinking of a Mon am/Tues pm/Thurs am/Fri pm schedule, Mon and Thurs 3 laps Richmond Park at full tilt, Tues club turbo sesh/ride, Fri maybe 2 hours hard as poss. I should be able to do a long weekend ride once a month or so if I'm good... Has anyone on here done the Marmotte or anything like it with so few long training rides? I was just outside the top third at last years' Etape if that helps.

Thanks.

Steve

ded

Just do it. I too have very limited w/e time and manged it a couple of years ago - see http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12671860&highlight= for my comments on what I did/didn't do in training.

And yes, I am signed up for this years too (which is why I was out at lunchtime today and Tuesday and and and... :shock: )

Rushie

Thanks for the positive words Ded. The thread you mention is useful too - most people seem to be talking about it as a series of climbs linked by rest periods which is kind of what I was thinking, and therefore doing 60-90minute threshold sessions, which is also what I was thinking. Right - decision made - I'm going to the Bike Show to see if there are any bargains. Then I'm going home, and if mission control is still awake, I'm having the discussion. Wish me luck.

richa

+1. Threshold sessions are key for training the Marmotte. Definitely doable on 4 good sessions a week. I am in again this year.

bigmat

Rushie, that sounds a lot more organised than my Marmotte training so far. If you can do that much intense training around Richmond Park and throw in a long ride every few weeks I reckon you should be OK, my training looks like being mainly commuting / turbo until spring and then hopefully I'll have time to do the occasional evening chain gang / race / 3-lap challenge and the odd long weekend ride.

By the way, were you in Morzine for the Tour last summer? I met a couple of guys who post here and the name sounds familiar.

Cheers

Mat

jonginge

Last year my training for the marmotte was shambolic. I did 3 sportives (HOTA, BlackRat and Magnificat) and they were my only rides over a metric century. I did a few 3LCs and a few 6laps of RP sessions but most of my training was the commute and a few after work short sessions. The event hurt but was ok really. So, yes, it's doable but I'm going to make time to train more this year

cjcp

Yep, very do-able on that amount of training, and I'll be very happy if I can get that amount of training in this year!

My training was much like Jon Ginge's - one less sportive, but I have a longer commute.

dragon66

Did the Marmotte in 08 and suffered, but finished with a Silver. Completed again last year and finished with a Gold nearly 2 hours faster.
The big difference for me was for last years event I included some weight training and lots of hill intervals and threshold sessions, and lost a few kg to increase my power to weight ratio. Whereas for 08 I basically just did loads of miles and was heavier.

Also entered this year so see everyone there

AJ