Stupid Question #524 - Louisville 2009?

 To be fair, I don't think anyone "knows" until they have actually trained for one. 

To the original post:  My question is why Lousiville 2009? 

I think it is hard for us to give you a yes/no answer unless we know more about you.  I would never tell anyone that they cannot do something, but it will be tough, harder than if you waited until 2010. . .and got a solid year of training done in 2009. 

Signing up for your first IM is kinda like buying your first house or having a child.  It is a difficult decision and you're never sure if it's the right time or not.  My recommendation is almost always: do it!   I'm sure there will be lots of people who say "wait" but sometimes we just need to swing for the fence. 

But your question is not whether or not to do it, your question is "is ten months is too short of a time to build up that sort of endurance/base".  The answer, is no.  10 months is plenty of time to get IM ready.

Now get off the computer and go train!  :-)

~Mike

10 months is enough time to train.  I would look at the BT programs and and ask yourself if you are ready to commit to the time and resources to finish.  Also, if you have family are they OK with your time that will be needed to train?  Family support is a big part IMHO of all of this.

Look at having a Half IM distance race some where in the mix to give you an idea of where you stand in your training since you are new.  That will aide you in what needs tweaking if anything.

 I did IM Louisville and it was awesome life changing experience.  So go for it and enjoy the journey.  

Maybe you could do it but it would not be the same as you took it gradually and built up over time unless you have been an endurance athlete of another flavor for a few years. You mention running, have you done lots of long running events over last couple years? Marys or 1/2 Marys? If so I think you may be better off.

You need to learn to love your bike and bike a lot. 

Reality is you get to do your first IM only once. Why rush it? It will always be there. 

My suggestion is take your time, plan a good '09 season and if it feels good doing the training for a HIM sign up for the following year.

I did my first IM in my 5th season racing tris and it was tough training.

It can be done, just don't expect fast times.

 I had a marathon background but went from no cycling/swimming experience to Ironman in 12 months.  My goal was to finish, and I did.

You will have to learn to love training, otherwise it will be the most miserable year of your life. 

If you can manage the training and time commitment, I say go for it.  Good luck! 

I will try to answer the questions....

I ran one marathon and several 1/2 in the past few years.

 I don't time myself swimming but swim 750 meters in 35 min and take breaks after every 50meters.

I just bought a bike and am completely new to cycling.

I have a boyfriend who is supportive but doesn't train with me.

I have three children who I share custody of with my ex...leaving me sufficient time to train.

I normally workout 2-3 hours a day and am currently switching it over to tri specific training as opposed to the weights/cardio/running combo I am used to.  So I don't think the time investment to be any big deal.  I get up every weekday at 4:30 am and put in 1 1/2 hours before I go to work and do something after work as well. 

I work as a school psychologist with summers off to train. 

The safe thing would be to wait until 2010 but I couldn't find a HIM that fit into my schedule but Louisville would fit perfectly.  It just would be so exciting.  Once I decide to do something it is hard for me to hold back.

"Being ready" is all subjective.  Will you be at your fastest?  No.  How long would that take, 7 years?  It's all a matter of what the goals are.  If all you want to do it finish you'll be fine.  Just like in marathoning, you're not likely to post your ideal time in a short amount of time, it takes years.  But no one would say to wait years before doing a marathon.

I always have the attitude of striking while the iron is hot.  You have the motivation, you have the time.  Go do it.  2010?  If you have time to do one in 2010, then do another one in 2010.  But really, we aren't here that long and you do not know what situation you will be in in 2010.  You could have more kids, you could be married, God forbid you could be in a family crisis or having health issues.

You can always find opinions to support what you want to do and people who will advise against it.  It is good that you are asking for opinions but we don't know you.  We don't know the type of person you are or how tenatious you are.  How well you listen and take advice.

There are people that post questions all the time and then totally ignore the advice they get.  Some of them succeed in spite of this and some of them fail with either an DNF or a DNS or end up getting injurred.

If I'd of ask "should I or could I do an IM" (based on my fitness, weight, previous experience etc) the answer from most professional coaches would have been and emphatic "No!  Wait.....build up to it....do a HIM...."   But I'm kinda hard headed and figured if others can do it, so could I.

Frankly I think people who sign up for an IM without as much base and expeience tend to do ok becuase of the fear of DNF or DNS. 

OK, the BOTTOM LINE (to my rambling) is the bottom line - $$.  Put down your $525 and secure a slot in the race....hire a coach or consultant....buy a bike if you don't have one....have your coach lay out a plan or use the BT plan.....and see what happens.  In 6 months you will either throw in the towell and say "gee, that was $500 bucks down the tubes!" or you will be well on your way to becoming an ironman.

~Mike

 I thought my ears were burning.... 

I'm stepping away from this thread before I hijack it.

STOP!  Freeze lady!  Put the keyboard down and back away slowly.....

X2

Can you cross the finish line...probably.  Will you be ready?  I would say no.  Take time to build your endurance base so that IM is not a huge sufferfest that it takes all you can to cross the finish line before Midnight.  Work your way up and learn how to do longer races.  It's a learning process as well as an endurance process.

I find it hard to believe that there is not a HIM that cannot fit nicely into your schedule.  I would suggest looking at some shorter races in 2009 and building your endurance.  Train a lot over the winter and go from there.  And find a plan, coach, friend...something to keep you on track.

Where do you live?  I am sure we can help find a good HIM for you to do in 09.

don't quote me but I believe that there is a 1/2 in the summer that is part of IMKY course. so if Louisville is close enough for you it might work.

www.trifind.com

I appreciate the help.  I live in SE Michigan.  If I can get my ex to switch weekends with me (kids), I may be able to do Tawas or Steelhead.  I have a lot going on this summer so I don't want to travel too far. And I am NOT doing that mountainous thing in Petoskey!! So don't even mention it! lol

As the day goes on, I realize that I need to be patient and wait until 2010 for an IM.  Patience is not my best quality!  

I am learning a lot here.  Thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer questions that may seem basic to you. 

I definitely have the determination and discipline to do an IM.  I just need to train wisely...  

Training for and doing triathlons is a way of life.  Most of us love to swim, bike and run.  The races keep up focused and motivated but even if I never raced again I would still run, bike and swim.

There are tons of races out there and you need not do an IM to enjoy triathlons.  I ran marathon and did only sprint tris for nearly 10 years before I ever decided to try an IM.

~Mike