cycle timing - Endurance/ironman

[alex18]

alright fella's im racking my brains together trying to figure out how to plan the timing of my cycle(s).

The usual back ground... 29, 6ft 3, 225, 15% bf... currently on 3.6iu HGH (5/2)and will be staying on this throughout.

Ok all that jazz aside my question is really based around when i should time my cycles. I would prefer a response from someone with experience with endurance training, no offence to the big guys but its a very different side of the coin. I always read every endurance thread...and they are always around 'what should i take'....nothing about the timing...hence this thread

In 20 weeks time i will be racing a 70.3 ironman...two weeks after i will be racing another 70.3. I signed up for the second one but then got roped into the first for charity and couldnt really back out. Providing i stay injury free I should be able to recover in time to put in a good showing at the second race too. I had a good off season, lifted heavy throughout and got some good gains in strength and i have a solid endurance level to build upon over the next 20 weeks. (ive been doing these races for a few years). I have successfully used low dose test E and EQ in the past and liked it but used it mostly as a recovery aid and LBM loss minimiser throughout a the summer which included shorter distance tri's. The goals this year will be the same in that i want to try and retain LBM and aid recovery throughout the countless hours of training i will be putting in. I am not too concerned with any weight gain... im already a big guy so im not going to win anything... the ability to recover and train longer and harder is more important to me.

So i have 20 weeks until race 1...22 weeks until race two... my training will really start to ramp up time wise in february, and i want to be able to recover well during the 2 weeks between races and the 2 weeks post race 2.

one option i had thought of was maybe starting out with a shorter cycle of low dose Test prop EOD for maybe 6- 8 weeks - taking 4 weeks off with PCT and then jumping back in with low dose TEST E or C and EQ for 14 weeks... i have 0 experience with test Prop....

another option to stay on low dose test (e or c) for 24 weeks - but i dont want a major shut down and dont fancy injections for life...

another option to just wait nearer the time and run test and eq with an aim to move onto PCT a week or so after the last race.

so.... if you have any ideas of how to plan my 24 weeks..let me know.. i'm all ears.

[alex18]

fyi...my gut tells me to go option 3 and wait.... but i would like a way to not wait...

[Alinjr]

You could try either. I wouldn't wait to long. Good luck.

[alex18]

thanks Bro....

maybe some MMA fighters out there have thoughts as preparing for a race is probably similar to preparing for a fight..

[alex18]

Nobody? :-( don't make me cry boys...

[warmouth]

Eeesh man. The 24 weeker at "a low dose of test as to not cause a major shutdown" is a horrible idea. It is going to shut you down and is WAY too long of a duration. Just stick with a good dose of test, your choice of ester, and go with it. I like test P, and I like it for 8 weeks. That should be all you need. Goodluck!

[t-dogg]

mma and iron man are no way the same. Your cycle options are really up to you and what you are willing to risk.

[alex18]

mma and iron man are no way the same. Your cycle options are really up to you and what you are willing to risk.

I was referring to the timing aspect - not the cycle contents...... timing a cycle for optimum performance on a specific day/week.

and yeah - agree that 24 week run is foolish (i even put that in the post 'dont want inj for life) but wanted to see peoples thoughts all the same...

[t-dogg]

The biggest thing that I feel is the blood work after a cycle. If you rebound back fast then you "can" start up again. Most would say PCT plus cycle time is how long you stay off.

[alex18]

The biggest thing that I feel is the blood work after a cycle. If you rebound back fast then you "can" start up again. Most would say PCT plus cycle time is how long you stay off.

Yeah I figured that... Ah decision decisions....

[t-dogg]

Personally I dont think its worth it unless there is big money involved.