To all the 140.6ers...

I agree it is amazing.  Just remember YOU just finished what you set a goal for and TRAINED for.   Longer training swim, bike and runs are the only difference.  I swear the race was just one piece of the puzzle come race day you just knock it out.  I couldn't walk without wincing (ms?) for four days.

Someday you may or may not decide to torture yourself a little more.  It doesn't make you any more or less an accomplished triathlete. 

Congrats on your race.

A HIM is an awesome accomplishment!!!!

I have to say after finishing my first 70.3 I wondered how the heck could I do an IM yet I had already signed up for IMLP.

After finishing my IM I made the observation that my race day my IM felt much easier than my HIM. 

Why? I think I was better trained and tapered for my IM.

Congrats on your 70.3!

To the OP..  Congrats!!  Good job!

I feel the same way you do.  I got done with all my HIM's wondering how I could do TWICE that distance.  But foolishly, I signed up for an IM anyway!

I STILL have doubts when I finish a long bike or run, and I'm SO tired and sore, how I'm going to do it...

But that's what makes it a worthwile endeavor, no?

Again, good job!

fuseven...

Congrats, but I think that you would be surprised!  I am more "GASED" after the 1/2's than the full Ironman.... I think it is a matter of pacing, mentality, training, etc.... You probably at one point thought a SPRINT TRI was out of the question!?! I know that I did....

Day 3 since the HIM and my knees, hammies and ankles are still not speaking to me! 

It is by far my biggest athletic accomplishment and i'm proud as can be.  Just thought i'd throw some props towards the hardest of the hardcore!  it's very diserved!

Take care all!

Thank you.

Congrats on your HIM and just remember that the pain will dissipate, but your great accomplishment will never go away!

You'll be signing up for an IM distance race soon, don't worry .... that's just how it works!!

Congrats on YOUR accomplishment, that is more than even a lot of triathletes will ever attempt.

As far as leg soreness my body felt much better after my first IM than after my first HIM. I did sleep almost a full day the Tuesday after the IM race though.

Congrats on your race!! I hope you enjoyed it!

I felt exactly the same way after my first HIM last May. I did Gulf Coast, and my friend, who also did Gulf Coast, was training for IMFL. Much the same course, only twice. I looked at her and said, "I can't believe you're going to do that twice."

After my second half about 5 months later, even though it was harder and took me longer than the first one, I started to think, "well, maybe..."

Went down to Panama City Beach to cheer on friends and my coach last November, got in line the next morning. In 2 more weeks, I'll be on this side of crazy, but as tough and challenging as that first HIM, I believe I can do it twice.

That's not to say that you will eventually want to do a full IM. You may not. Doesn't matter. You're a pretty darn impressive athlete and an HIM is nothing to sneeze at.

So, congrats on your first HIM and a job exceptionally well done.

Ditto.

I'll wager you'll be researching and looking to register for '09 IM's by mid-November.  If you're an Ironman-branded kind of guy, hope you like Louisville. LOL!