Ironman stats

Maybe they decided to do a different Ironman this year? I mean, I've never done one, but from what I gather, it's quite a time commitment. Perhaps they wanted to try a different IM, or take some time off from IMing, or they only do one every few years, etc. I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that they're out of IM or triathlon altogether.

As as for new IM'ers being a good thing? Wouldn't you be excited about your first one? Wouldn't you hope that others are excited for you? I know that there are plenty of idiots who sign up for an Ironman without knowing what to expect or not having trained properly. But I also sense that the majority HAVE put in the training - their first one has to happen SOMETIME.

I have done 2 so far, including CDA yesterday.  I plan on doing several more, but my wife and I make vacations out of them.  We want to do different ones each year to see different parts of the country or different countries.  IMCDA was unbelievable, but I highly doubt I'll ever do it again.  Next year it may be Arizona, Brazil, or one in Europe.  I know several of my buddies do the same thing. 

I think it's the time commitment for one. I for one plan on not leaving the lifestyle. But if your only goal is to complete an Ironman what else is there?

There's more to it than that for me.

but i do believe that the triathlon movement as a whole is growing at an eponential rate.

I have heard the 50% statistic at other IM events and never really thought too much about it. Leave it to Fred to come up with a good topic for discussion that ends up with people slingin' mud.

I actually believe that over 1/2 of the participants in an IM are first timers. For those 1st timers, whether they are athletes or shoe salesmen (or women), it is a goal to shoot for. Anyone that can commit to the time it takes to train for an IM and has the discipline to follow a plan or coach CAN finish an IM. Look at how many people are volunteering at an IM just to sign up for a race the next year. I would bet that most of them are first timers.

This is my third year at the IM distance and I love it. I was in the best shape for the first one in 2007, probably because of the huge weight I put on myself for the race. I was also in the best shape because of the selfish nature of trying to be competitive at the IM level. I did 2 IM races last year and am doing 2 IM races this year and have a much more relaxed attitude about the races and training.

Life happens when you have a wife, kids, farm, work, etc. Training is not everything, family IS everything. When your family knows that training is important to you, more often than not SOME training will happen. A sheduled 6 hour ride might end up as a 3 hr ride to a kids softball game and a drive to ice cream after the game but at least something happened.

Triathlon has been a means to meet some great people, lose a lot of weight and get into the best shape of my life. With more and more IM races that are filling up as fast as they are. I wouldn't be surprised to see 75% 1st timers, for those that have families and carreers the 70.3 races are a lot more manageable to train for AFTER they finish their FIRST IM.

Just my $.02.

meh.  never mind

Good discussion item!

I don't know if it is good or bad for the sport but I do think it is the nature of ironman.  For many, it's a bucket list item. 

Ironman does take a lot of money, time and committment.  My guess is you'll find comparable percentages of marathoners at any given marathon.

If someone does it simply for "the challange" and not for love of the sport then after they have done one, the challange is mostly gone.

If new people are being added to the sport at say about 5% per year, and about that percent is leaving the sport, then yes, statistically speaking, 1/2 of the people that did it last year will never do another IM. 

I thought it was cool that Arron's list of CDA participants included several doing their 5th IM.  That is awesome!  I hope to be there some day...God willing and the crick don't rise.

~mr

The thing that turns me off on doing IM's every year is the fact that if I want to race one well it takes me out of doing a lot of the local races or even others that I like to do. Maybe others feel the same?

jkholden - 2009-06-22 7:34 PM So who has voted in the poll on the BT home page and what did you answer?  Apparently we don't follow the statistics.
I voted that I started doing IM knowing that I would do more than one.  I did one last year and am signed up for two this year.  I've often wondered about this question myself and thought maybe the announcers were taking some liberty with the numbers.

I had planned to do ONLY ONE, and that's what I did.	13 Votes - [8.39%]
I had planned to do only one, but I couldn't stop and I KEEP DOING MORE.	51 Votes - [32.9%]
I started racing Ironman knowing that I would be doing more than one.	91 Votes - [58.71%]

I have to think though that BTers are not a representative statistical random sample!  What I mean is, for many of us here, triathloning is a social event as well a physical event/sport.  I look forward to socializing/exchanging ideas/fighting with you fine folk thoughout the year and then meeting up at some of you at some IM event.  So maybe BTers are more prone to be IM repeat offenders than the average joe loner?  Just a thought.

~Mike