Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions

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2009-07-17 11:36 AM

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Subject: Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions

For all of you that want re-assurance about doing a race that you are not well prepared for, let me give you a bit of advice. Stay at home and do it next year, train for this distance and then be pre-pared for the unknown.

A little history, I did a HIM several years ago that I was completly trained for; I was ready to kick butt. What I was not pre-pared for was the freakishly hot weather that was not normal for that time of year (98 degrees), I also was not prepared for screwing up my nutrition and ruining my day.

Needless to say I walked 8 miles of a HIM before passing out TWICE, 2 bags of IV in the medical tent, 16 lbs weight loss in a day, 4 busted blood vessels in my left eye (which caused me to have to get glasses), and one year of being scared to death of that distance and lots of self doubt..

I know there are a lot of people that can go out and do a race on little to no training, and some might get away with it. Doing a HIM or IM on a perfect race day is hard enough try throwing in insane weather (ask IM Wisc BTers about 2006) or messing up your nutrition. Throwing in the unknown into the race mix when you are not pre-pared for the distance in the first place is just not very smart. Anything can go wrong in these races, there are several people on BT who have had races go wrong when they were ready to rock and roll these things, sometimes bad things do happen that you are not expecting and if you are properly trained at least you can muscle thru the bad times with some training.

Doing these distances are truely a great accomplishment and yes everyone should experience the thrill of crossing the finish line and hearing "you are a ironman", it puts a huge smile on your face. But the distance can also be one of the worst experiences you have had and can ruin a training year or even do some serious damage to your body.

I guess the point of this post is, if you want to do the race and you are not prepared, do it... just understand that a lot can and usually go wrong out there on the race course. Just barely finishing a HIM or a IM is not the way to go into the race. Take you time and enjoy the training- the races will always be there

I am sure others can tell you the bad stuff, I know of several who have had some monumental suffering during a race and some that have had things pop up that they are not prepared for and had to DNF but they can share those stories...

2009-07-17 11:43 AM
in reply to: #2291912

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions
WOW! What a horrible and miserable experience! Scary stuff!

I know for me, I have to be trained before I go the distance. Even when I have trained properly, I have a long, and physically exhausting day. I can't IMAGINE going into ANY race of ANY distance not trained for THAT distance.

Then again, I met a guy on the plan to Arizona in 2008 who told me that he used the IM as a training day. He would do a 13 hour race with his longest bike ride being 60 miles before the race.

I truly think that some people are physically gifted, while others of us have to work really hard just be mediocre.

Only each person can know what category they fit into.

For example, I'm a good swimmer. I know that I can two days a week and still pull off a decent time (:40) at my HIM. I can do this swimming around 2:00-2:30 a week (3,000-4,000 each session). Sure, it won't be my best effort EVER... but I would rather spend my time focusing on my week areas- running and cycling.

Whereas... and this is a great example... I KNOW I have to train for a running event. I can't half-@ss it like I do with the swimming. Tomorrow I have a 25K I was registered for. Got a stress fracture at my marathon back in May. My run fitness is just NOW coming back. 5 miles are leaving me very sore. I KNOW if I go out there and do that 25K I'll pay for it, for days. So I'm going out and running 6 miles (like my training plan has me scheduled for) and I'm going to DNF after that.

In the end, only each person KNOWS their own body. Listen to it. Too many people think they are super-human and don't listen and they do not respect their limitations.


2009-07-17 11:44 AM
in reply to: #2291912

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Subject: RE: Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions
Can I add to/expand on this?

You do NOT need to do an IM/Half IM to be a "real" triathlete. You need not ever run a marathon to be a runner. These are not things you have to do to prove yourself...nor are they things you should run out and do your first race/second year/third week whathaveyou of training.

I see so many people who feel the first or second thing they NEED to do is run out and do a half or a full (Tri or Running). It has always been an issue in trunning to some extent, but now it's out of control, and has definitely infected tris.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to do one...but give yourself some time. It's a HUGE toll on your body, especially if you've just gotten in to the sport and your base is small. And when you're in your first year of the sport--your base is small.

There's also nothing wrong with NEVER doing one...so don't feel like there's some secret club or society you have to join to be a real triathlete or runner.

An IM is a race. A marathon is a race. So is a 5k or a sprint or an Oly or an 8k or.... they are just different EVENTS. They have unique strategies and challenges, and you are neither more nor less of an athlete if you do some or all of the events. :-)
2009-07-17 12:57 PM
in reply to: #2291912

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2009-07-17 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2291912

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Subject: RE: Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions
Some very wise words here.......well said everyone. 
2009-07-17 3:45 PM
in reply to: #2291912

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Subject: RE: Should I do this race??? under trained, those types of questions
I'm so glad this topic was started, because it has made me feel much better about my decision to bail out of my very first planned (and paid for) HIM this weekend...and transfer my entry to next year's event.   After pondering for several weeks whether or not I felt I was prepared and trained enough for this event...I finally got wise and realized that I definitely WAS NOT.   It bothered me initially, because when I signed up for the race back in October of last year, I was really psyched about doing it...and of course, ran my mouth off telling all of my friends that I was doing my first HIM in July.    But when spring came, I lost my "mojo" and procrastinated with much of my training.  On top of that, I was dealing with nagging injuries and illness that just sucked the energy right out of me.  

I've had lots of inquiries about my "upcoming race" this weekend, from friends and acquaintances at the gym who had heard I was doing an HIM.  Needless to say, it's been a bit of a downer having to explain to everyone, WHY I have decided against doing the race this year.   I would have been disappointed and devasted, if I ended up DNF'ing my first HIM due to being undertrained and unprepared.  So after reading this thread, I do feel that I've made the right decision in waiting until next year. 

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