IRON Distance

it can be done.. It is just a matter of how fast you want to finish...
Check this link out...

http://triathletemag.safeserver.com/training/ironman/index.shtml

What race are you doing?

AWESOME! Thats great-my goal-FINISH.

I am thinking about the Blue Devil in NC on October 8th.

In my opinion - you may able to finish but you will be risking injury, perhaps severe and chronic, to attempt that distance prematurely. I would suggest that the plan you have laid out is premature, very much so in fact.

Everyone's first time goal is to just finish - but most folks wind up planning (and, um..training) for at least a year before their first IM, and they have several seasons of triathlon behind them before that.

Why put yourself at risk? Are you planning on dying this year, which might admittedly preclude you from a proper training regimen? If not, why not use that year to train yourself properly so you'll not only finish next year, but finish faster, healthier, and happier.

You may not even make it to race day this year - aggressively ramping up a training plan in such fashion can (and likely may) lead up to injury as tendons and ligaments take a long time to adjust to extreme training that is needed for iron distance. You'd then not only fail to meet your goal, but might rule out next year, too if its a chronic injury.

I know folks who have done IMs for their very first triathlon, but none that would recommend it.

Whats the hurry?

That's not one of the easier IM courses for your first.  Make sure you do plenty of hill training if you decide to go for it.

Take it easy... Baby steps. I've done a marathon, some half marathons... Tri's are a whole different animal. My first tri was an Oly yesterday. I used to say "I can do half Iron". I still think I can do it but I now know It will require double the training I once thougt.
Start by racing some Oly and half Iron distances.... I am reading a book, be Iron Fit, It recommends a 30 month training schedule including base training....


Edited by clflgrl 2005-06-06 4:02 PM

If you do already have a solid base and have been training consistently for 8+ hours a week, only then, I think you should be able to finish an IM after following a solid 18-week plan.

I followed a modified (by me) 20-week plan (Bernardt's 26-week program) and finished injury free. In fact, I was injured when I began the plan (ITBS) and the gradual approach and periodization of Bernhardt's program helped me recover. The last 8 weeks of the plan, life got in the way and I couldn't stick to all the weekly sessions but always did the long weekend stuff. I finished my race--about 2hrs later than expected--but finished nonetheless.

For next year's race, I plan to continue training about 10-15 hrs per week and then follow the 13-week plan (the above link) before my race.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Félix

Edited by dragoman 2005-06-06 5:44 PM

Whoa!  A 2.5 year training plan?