How did you decide you were ready?

For me personally, I just went for it in my 2nd year of racing.  I figured there was no time like the present and signed up for Louisville, trained for 6 months and had a blast.  This may not be for everyone, but worked for me.  I loved the journey and see myself doing more in the future.

I did my first triathlon way back in 1986 or 87.  I did my first iron race last month.  I never had any desire to do an IM event until a couple years ago.  For me I think when I was younger everything I did I was shooting to go faster and get a PR.  I haven't PR'd  for at least 10-years...not even close! That is until this year when I did an IM...I PR'd there!  Anyway, I wasn't affraid of the distance...I figured I could do it but I really enjoyed the burn more than the LSD type training.  But seems that's all I my body wants to do anymore is long-steady efforts and figured it was time.  And I enjoyed the experience...all of it!

Similar to what Jorge said, I had no particular draw to the iron distance.  (Actually, I never had a draw to triathlon at all...I was a runner and former swimmer who got talked into signing up for a sprint by his wife and realized it was something I'd probably be okay at.)  In my case, I'd done an HIM and it went well and the opportunity to do an independent IM for very little money came up on my radar.  Hard to say "no" to $220 registration and $0 lodging for race within driving distance...hardest part was committing to the training.

(Which, IMO, should be true for most people...the race is always going to be no more than 17 hours out of one day of your life--training is a different matter.)

Race day is kind of a deadline  

How did I know I was ready to sign up?  We'd discussed it as a family and agreed that I could spend a year training for an IM.  It's pretty scary when you finally click *submit* but then train, train, train to make it the best day possible. 

Signing up for your fist IM is kinda like buying your first house or having your first child - you will never find the perfect time....eventually you just have to jump in.  It was not until I did couple of marathon that I could even get my head around an IM.

~Mike

I decided to try it sometime after my first HIM (and at end of my second full tri season).  Have done a couple of marathons, so know this will be a long, slow, rollercoaster of a day.  Also, saw lots of tri friends (many of whom are bigger, slower than me) train and successfully (and happily!) complete various IM events.

My first is IM Florida in 3 weeks.  In their book, Going Long, Friel and Bryn say you are never truly 'ready' for an Ironman - 'you commit, train and pray.'  My wife and I did the cost/benefit of doing this year vs. 2010 or 2011, and we both decided this was the best year vis-a-vis work, family, travel, etc.  So, here I am...hopefully just about ready to take the plunge!

Cheers,

Mark