How did YOU know when you were ready to take the plunge?

I started tri's in '96 but never got the ironman bug. it was something I wanted to try but nothing I wanted to do any time in the near future. I never thought I was all that good and did have the time to devote to training with family/work obligations. But suddenly last year I got the bug not sure what it was maybe I read a friends race report about a average joe with a full family and work schedule who did it or watching the blind guy finish IMH but I decided heck if they can find a way I can too. I did a little research and actuallly read finks book and that sealed the deal for me the 'just finish' plan is a little lighter than bernhardts 13 hr plan but it looked doable. I let you know how it ends up.

just my .02 but if you got the fire to do and the time to train then go for it.

I think there are many considerations to make. Lot of folks push to do an Ironman quickly after they start doing triathlons. I often see those folks do one and their done. They might hang around BT a year or two after but soon they disappear and tris are not part of their life. Ironmans will always be there so don't rush it. Your first occurs just once. I was on the go longer each year programs..sprints year 1, oly year 2 & 3, HIM year 4 and IM year 5. In some ways I would have been better off waiting another year or two.

1. Do you have the time to do the training and still maintain healthy relationships, work, family ect.? Do you like doing 4-8 hour bike rides, 2 hour swims, and lots of 2+ hour runs? Will the training be fun for you?

2. How is your fitness? Have you done enough training in the past that your body can handle the volume? Hard to really know that. If you have been an athlete in another sport for years probably easier to handle the training than if you were on the couch for 10 years and started training yesterday.

3. Practical: Given your paces are you likely to make the swim cut off in 2:20 and swim/bike cut off in 10:30? If not work on getting faster and more endurance all the way around.

4. Know why you want to do an Ironman.  How bad do you want it? You need to want to do an Ironman deep in your soul otherwise when the training gets tough or long and you are always tired you might want to skip it or cut it short. There are no short cuts or faking an Ironman. You need to respect the distance and be prepared.

5. Set up a budget for IM as they are expensive races to do for the most part. Location plays a big part in cost as some locations have inexpensive housing and others limited housing and it is very expensive like Lake Placid with long minimun night stays required.

I suggest going to volunteer and watch an IM. I know lots of folks that go and get fired up and can't wait to sign up. When I went to my first IM to support a friend and volunteer, it scared me. The reality of how hard it was right there. I came back saying nope I'm not ready and waited another year to sign up.

It is a big event, takes a lot of your time, attention and money for a year. Be sure you are ready for the committment.

Good question.  (Not sure I actually am ready, but I'll find out on Aug. 1.)

I wasn't really ever planning to do an IM...I've got some pretty significant issues with my left foot and ankle that have always had me a little paranoid about how they would hold up on the marathon after all that biking.  (I'm still concerned about that, actually, even though I'm signed up for two IMs.)

For me, the decision was largely about opportunity.  My wife had decided to do her first half iron and settled on a women-only event at the Vineman races in Sonoma County.  At some point, it occured to me that the Vineman iron distance race that day doesn't sell out and offers a "buy two, get one free" registration deal.  So there was the opportunity to make a fairly late decision about going for it (not really an option with M-Dot races) and not break the bank...between the discount and the fact that we were already going to the Vineman site for my wife to race.

The only real issue, oddly enough, wasn't whether I could get ready, it was whether it was fair to my wife to "steal her thunder" from her first HIM by doing my first IM that day and also not be there at the finish line for her.  I pressed her on that and she insisted--multiple times--that she was fine with the idea.  So I hooked up with two other guys to do the multi-reg discount (thanks, BT) and so here I am, 6 1/2 weeks from the race in the middle of a 170 mile training week.

As far as feeling like actually doing an IM was a reasonable goal, in 2008 I'd done a sub-4 marathon and my first HIM in 5:36.  I don't know that either of those mean anything as far as being up to an IM, but I sort of felt like I'd knocked out most of the pre-iron distances comfortably, so what the heck.

When are you ready?

Assuming you have a decent base... if you have the will, the motivation and the drive... and you can put in the hours to train for it... then you are ready.

For everyone it's different. But if your heart is not in it... then you won't train properly and you might DNF race day.




Isn't that the truth! Unfortunately, I was already signed up for my IM... but when I went to go spectate IM Arizona in April 2008... it scared the heck out of me! I was left wondering what was I thinking signing up for an IM? My cousin, who is 10x's the athlete I am... barely made it across the finish line. If I hadn't already been signed up for Kentucky in August... I wouldn't have been doing an IM in 2008.


Edited by KSH 2009-06-17 10:13 AM

I can share my journey.  9/07 couch, no fitness, 1 mile jog = winded 40 pounds heavier than today.  12/07 first sprint tri, 3/08 10 mile run, 5/08 half mary, 7/08 first Oly, 9/08 first HIM, 10/08 30k trail run, 1/09 first full mary, 6/09 2nd HIM much stronger (1 hour pr over first one) and here comes first IM 8/09.  I am 42 years old, so slower recovery than if I were 20 and no history in any of the events.  The past nearly 2 years has been constant and I have 15-20 hours per week to train.  I haven't taken any time off that wasn't travel, taper or recovery.  I will post how it goes.  

You probably want your long rides 50 + to be 16 mph +, your runs to be 9:30 min mile pace for 13 + miles and your swim well 2:30 /100 for 2 miles would do it.   Then it is just building the distance.  For IM training you will be doing 5-6 hour bike rides.  It will take a while to build up to that. 

2 years is a decent window, if you have the time and can devote yourself to it.  Ya if you are uber, have a history in any of the events and are young you can crank it out in 10 months, but that is not me 8).  It was only after I had completed my first HIM and a stand alone 2.4 mile swim that I felt it was time to amp up for the full.   

For the first 4 years of doing triathlons (sprints and olys) I never even considered doing an IM. I felt that only 2 types of people did them; incredibly gifted athetes and people that overcame some tragic event. Then 2 years ago I became one of those tragic event people. Not as tragic as some, but testicular cancer changed my mindset. I haven't signed up yet (planning to sign up for IMOO 2010) but I now have a desire, and the confidence, to complete an IM.


I wouldn't recommend following my path, yours sounds like a much better plan. Other than that, your body and mind will tell you when you are ready.

The questions above should be written up as an article on this site. I think they hit it right on the head.

I'm training for one now and for me, it came down to perfect timing.

1. 5th season that I've done at least 1 tri\training

2. Kids are a perfect age where they can do a lot of things for themselves, but too young to be really competitive in sports. When they are having 3-5 games/practices a week i want to be there.

3. My company offered (after some begging) to pay the community fund charge

4. My job allows me to workout during lunch (we have a gym and showers).

As long as you have not been sitting on the couch for the past few years and have been swimming/biking/running....I think a lot of it comes down to your mindset.  Can you mentally push your body to new limits?  I learned SO many things in training for IM, but one of the biggest was how much of a mental game training/racing IM really is.  What your mind believes, the body can achieve....just read some IM race reports.  

On days when the smell of the pool makes you want to vomit, can you will your body to swim?  When you are out on that 5 hour ride alone and you ask yourself, "Why the f-ck am I out here?"  Do you have an answer?  When the people around you say "you can't finish a Ironman?" does that inspire you even more to prove them wrong?

When you think of it, completing 140.6 miles on your own ability may seem crazy, but crossing that finish line is one of the most amazing feelings you can experience!!

Kind of OT, but a huge congrats on the weight loss ! that's awesome and definitely something to be proud of

Joe - Best of luck! I look forward to seeing the race report. I'm not sure if I'm going to follow one of his plans or not I might just join a local training group, but it's one of my options. I'm doing lots of research right now.

Kathy - Some great points for me to think about... thank you... For me the ironman isn't about the title. It's more of a symbolic thing. It's about the journey. You probably understand this better then most having come from a similar situation of being overweight.

tcovert - Best of luck to you as well! It's very nice of you to be so considerate about the wife's feelings while deciding on doing it or not. How cool that you get to share that experience together.

KSH - Yeah maybe I should stop by and Volunteer for IMOO this year. The difference is I already know to be scared silly. I know how hard it is for even the most fit of people... but I guess seeing it in action is more striking then knowing in mentally.

T - Sure hope one knows by race morning... Hard to fake it at that point. Heh.

Ba0 - wow such a quick journey! Ironically I was about there for Biking Speed/Distance last summer (40+ miles at about 16mph and likely could have rode longer if I was inclined) In the Oly I did I was 18+mph but I pushed it a bit too hard... which is a big no-no for these longer races. My swim and Run on the other hand? Lets not talk about it. Ask me next year!

gibboweiser - I'm sorry about your scare, but I'm glad it lead you to a place where you felt strong enough to be brave enough to take on training. I'm also considering IMOO. Overcoming something I guess I fall into that category as well.

stchase34 - Hope the training is going well. I agree it would make a fabulous article. She always has great things to say.

trishie - Thanks. I have a hard time accepting praise right now because I was more ahead of the game last year... but I keep reminding myself I've kept off a good portion of it and these processes are never a straight line. Good luck with your IM!

Abbie - Ah I expect some of those feelings. I know it won't be easy. 2 years is a loooooooong time to stay focused isn't it? But if you want it bad enough...

Thanks for taking the time everyone to chime in. It's interesting how we all approach it differently. Love to hear from more people what was their trigger to set off on the journey.

Good advice. I've been toying with the idea of an IM in 2010 so this year I set out to do my first marathon and first century ride so I'd know what they felt like stand-alone.
 

When you know the answer to these questions, then you will know when you are ready to take the plunge. These could not be stated any better.






As Abbie stated, you will learn so many things about yourself DURING training. Your body can do it, only if your mind can will it. IMHO you mind can only will it if you want it deep in your soul.

The main thing that I have learned so far during IM training is that it truly IS the TRAINING that makes you an Ironman. The race is the exclimation point on the end of it. It is when you are out there alone, suffering (blood, sweat, & tears), and continue to push on that makes you. As long as you have an answer to this question after a long training day, e.g. 6+ hour bike, 17+ mile run, "why do I do this to myself?", and that answer satisfies the pain. Then, you are ready.

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I love this thread. i really wish more of you would chime in.

I've kind of have the same plan that Kathy G had. Except I'm on adding 1 more year to the sprints.

It's awe inspring. I know I've only recently a. been consistent with training b. pushed through the training when i don't want to do it.

I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there.

Edited by latrina 2009-06-18 2:08 PM

I too probably would have had more benefit from sticking to sprints for few years, but I really need some sort of challenge to keep my focused, which is why I choose to slip right up to the Oly distance last year. While I know Tris aren't great for weight loss in general for me Tri training has been the most excellent way to keep myself exercising which IS/WILLBE a big key to my long term success.

This year since my progress is a little farther behind then last year I probably should have stuck to sprints, but my coach seemed to think 12 weeks was enough time to get me to a place where I could do the Oly again. (finishing being my only expectation) Since my goal is to hopefully be doing the halfs next year (mary/iron) I want to keep myself challenged without overly pushing myself.

I suppose my performance next year will be a big sign and indicator if my body is ready to go beyond those limits so I'll just be patient and not make any big decisions until late next year.

So the key will be to get my body to a place where it's doing speed/paces enough where i'll be able to dial back on those speeds/paces for endurance. Is that about correct? The fact that I could go 18+mph in a sprint last summer means nothing if I have to dial back to 10mph just to maintain the HR where I could finish a endurance race right? 5mph running in a 5k would probably = a slow crawl on my knees in the 1/2

How did I know that I was ready?

1. I want to push my body beyond where it has ever been.
2. I have the time to train, recover and catch up on sleep.
3. I don't have many major distractions in my life (I'm newly married, no children and back in  
    school full time).
4. My SO supports me and is 100% behind my training and racing
5. I like long rides, runs and still can convince myself to swim when the pool smell makes me sick
    to my stomach or run on dead legs after a hard ride the day before.
6. I've been training (running or tri's) for 4 years and it hasn't gotten old, I still love getting out
    there and giving it a shot
7.  I know that I'm going to have to give things up to do IM (no late night parties, weekends focused on training rather than general fun and staying away from the wine).
8. I don't hit the snooze button at 5:00am.
9. I love how mental this sport is. IM is really mental (yeah okay ... it's physicial too).
10. I respect the distance and "I prepare myself to suffer, to suffer more than I've suffered all year." Belinda Granger

"8. I don't hit the snooze button at 5:00am. "

If that's a requirement.... I'm doomed! Heh.