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How much time/experience is enough?
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 2009-06-24 9:45 AM |
Member  63  Milwaukee, WI |  Subject: How much time/experience is enough?Hey everyone, How much time (months/years) and experience would you recommend as a bare minimum to train for an Ironman? I think a little background info about my entry into this sport might help. I didn't really know triathlons existed until I was 17 or 18 years old, and even then didn't know what it was all about. I have watched portions of IMWI the last three years since it cuts right through the UW campus. I thought it was the coolest thing, but never imagined I could do anything like it. Fast forward to early spring. I found an overwhelming drive to start competing in triathlons since I've been running for the last several years of my life, but wanted the additional challenge that triathlons brought. I completed my first sprint tri (Cap View) a few weeks ago and have been hopelessly addicted to the sport. I eat, breathe, and sleep with triathlons and training on my mind. My ultimate goal when I started training for my sprint was to do Ironman races, but I imagined I wouldn't be able to do my first one for at least 2 or 3 more years. Now that I have finished my sprint, I don't want to stop and I want to get an Ironman under my belt as fast as possible. Right now, two friends and I plan on signing up for the 2010 IMWI. Back to the original question... is 14 or 15 months sufficient time to springboard from only doing a sprint to doing a full IM? I currently put in 15 to 18 hours a week training, but this isn't represented by my logs and I don't currently follow a training plan. Once classes start again, I know I won't have as much time to dedicate to the sport. I could just be the overzealous new guy, but I have never felt so much satisfaction from a sport at the finish. I know I want to compete in Ironman races eventually, but I don't know if I'm jumping the gun. I haven't done an Olympic or HIM yet, and likely won't this season. I do plan on starting off next year with an Olympic. Any suggestions/tips would be great! Thanks. |
| 2009-06-24 9:56 AM in reply to: #2239324 |
Not a Coach 11473   Media, PA | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? You could do IM next year if you want and are willing to do the training. BUT, you would be MUCH better off for the long-term (assuming your goals are actually to "race" IM) by focusing on sprint & oly races for several years. Then maybe adding a half or two for a few years. THEN, tackle IM. IM will still be there when you're ready. Note: I realize you are almost sure to ignore that and do IM in the next year or two like most people here would. |
| 2009-06-24 10:16 AM in reply to: #2239324 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? If you currenlty train 15 - 18 hrs a week you won't have any problems traing for and doing an IM. Doing more sprints or olys (or even a HIM) will not do much for you in terms of IM readiness IMO. While they both involve s/b/r, they are different animals. IMWI 2010 is a good goal. ~Mike |
| 2009-06-24 10:22 AM in reply to: #2239324 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Some people can do an IM as their first race and be fine. Others can't. If it were me, I would recommend working your way up over a couple of years to prevent injuries. This will be my 2nd season of 70.3s (4th season overall) and I feel like I am slightly jumping the gun by wanting to sign up for IMMoo 2010. On the other hand, I've been asked if I was training for an IM *this year* as my volume was consistently on the high end for a few months. So knowing I have the discipline to put the time in, and I will have completed 5 or 6 HIMs by the time I do the IM, I feel better about making the decision to sign up. Also wanted to add that for me, moving from Sprint to Oly was 5x as hard. And Oly to HIM was 10x as hard. Your results may vary. |
| 2009-06-24 10:41 AM in reply to: #2239468 |
Champion 8540  the colony texas | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? I usually agree with JohnnyK, ( and this is no exception) could you do it,, sure. Should you do it.. maybe notish. since you are talking about classes,, I'm guessing you a bit younger, which has nothing to do with anything,, I"m just pretending that I'm going to say something insightful by pointing that out..  I'd look at how the training for the race will fit into your schedule. While you could do, there is nothing wrong by focusing on some Oly and 70.3 length races for a couple of years and building up a great training volume, then you will not have to wonder if you are ready for an IM , you will know. the other thing I'm adding is that IMHO it seems that some people suffer from post IM blue's/letdown. Don't build up the IM to more than it is.. a race.. a very cool race yes. But I'd hate to see you decide to jump into then after you are done not continue with tri's since you put too much empasis on the race |
| 2009-06-24 11:18 AM in reply to: #2239324 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? completing an IM is not the hard part. It's completing the training and getting to the starting line uninjured...that's the HARD part. Being in college has it's own "temptations" that could get your off track but it is entirely possible and operating w/o knowledge of your medical and injury history I would say, absolutely yes....IF you get the training done. The key with you is to train smart and NOT hard. you don't need to train 15-18 hours a week for months to complete and Ironman. You can complete one safely, without injury on an average of 8-12 hours per week of working out and peaking at 15-18 for just once in a few 3-4 wk blocks. |
| 2009-06-24 11:22 AM in reply to: #2239443 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Rogillio - 2009-06-24 11:16 AM Doing more sprints or olys (or even a HIM) will not do much for you in terms of IM readiness IMO. It will if you want to race an IM. The training needed to become faster at sprints or olys is not that much different than the training needed for gatting faster at IM. They are all endurance events and they key for performance is mostly the same. |
| 2009-06-24 11:38 AM in reply to: #2239696 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? JohnnyKay - 2009-06-24 11:22 AM Rogillio - 2009-06-24 11:16 AM Doing more sprints or olys (or even a HIM) will not do much for you in terms of IM readiness IMO. It will if you want to race an IM. The training needed to become faster at sprints or olys is not that much different than the training needed for gatting faster at IM. They are all endurance events and they key for performance is mostly the same.
My point was, doing sprint trialhlons will not improve your IM performance, training will. If your goal is IM, then train for an IM. Gary, you cracked me up with profound 'insightfulness'! ~Mike |
| 2009-06-24 12:00 PM in reply to: #2239738 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Rogillio - 2009-06-24 12:38 PM JohnnyKay - 2009-06-24 11:22 AM Rogillio - 2009-06-24 11:16 AM Doing more sprints or olys (or even a HIM) will not do much for you in terms of IM readiness IMO. It will if you want to race an IM. The training needed to become faster at sprints or olys is not that much different than the training needed for gatting faster at IM. They are all endurance events and they key for performance is mostly the same. My point was, doing sprint trialhlons will not improve your IM performance, training will. If your goal is IM, then train for an IM. I'm assuming someone would train for the sprints & olys too. And my point is the training is not very different. Get fast. Then go far. There's a reason this formula works so well, especially for younger athletes like the OP. |
| 2009-06-24 12:09 PM in reply to: #2239825 |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? JohnnyKay - 2009-06-24 2:00 PM I'm assuming someone would train for the sprints & olys too. And my point is the training is not very different. Get fast. Then go far. There's a reason this formula works so well, especially for younger athletes like the OP. As usual JK posts the truth There is a reason that the typical career of an elite athlete looks something like this: 16-19 - Junior Elite (sprints) 19-23 - U23 (Olys) 21-32 - ITU (Olys) 28-35 - 70.3 30-40+ - IM Shane |
| 2009-06-24 12:11 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Master 2021 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? I want to get an Ironman under my belt as fast as possible. My question is why? Why, as fast as possible? |
| 2009-06-24 12:15 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
| Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? X2 on the why as fast as possible? IMs aren't going anywhere. |
| 2009-06-24 12:18 PM in reply to: #2239825 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? JohnnyKay - 2009-06-24 12:00 PM Rogillio - 2009-06-24 12:38 PM JohnnyKay - 2009-06-24 11:22 AM Rogillio - 2009-06-24 11:16 AM Doing more sprints or olys (or even a HIM) will not do much for you in terms of IM readiness IMO. It will if you want to race an IM. The training needed to become faster at sprints or olys is not that much different than the training needed for gatting faster at IM. They are all endurance events and they key for performance is mostly the same. My point was, doing sprint trialhlons will not improve your IM performance, training will. If your goal is IM, then train for an IM. I'm assuming someone would train for the sprints & olys too. And my point is the training is not very different. Get fast. Then go far. There's a reason this formula works so well, especially for younger athletes like the OP.
I'll yield the floor on "getting fast" as me and fast are stragers.
~Mike |
| 2009-06-24 12:23 PM in reply to: #2239890 |
Champion 9407 Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? ChrisM - 2009-06-24 2:15 PM X2 on the why as fast as possible? IMs aren't going anywhere. x3 - this is one of the best pieces of advice I recieve early in my triathlon "career." At the end of my first season I was looking at the IM distance but recieved the why rush advice and decided to wait. Since then I have focused on getting as fast as I can over the sprint and Oly distance and at some point I will probably decide I want to do an IM; for the time being trying to get below 2:10 for the OD is more than enough goal for me Shane |
| 2009-06-24 1:24 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? JRL: FWIW I raced sprint/Oly for the first 6 years of my career. Then moved to HIM and completed my first marathon in 2003. I completed my first IM in 2005, NINE YEARS after I entered the sport. However, that doesn't mean you have to do the same, it's just what I did. Edited by Steve- 2009-06-24 1:24 PM |
| 2009-06-24 1:28 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Elite 5316 Alturas, California | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? I would really recommend 2-3 years. Ya folks can do it in 16 months, but it does take a long time for the body to adjust to the distances. I am 42 and took 2 years, with no days off that were not planned... for 2 years. The first IM looms 5 weeks out. I'll let ya know how it works. I personally could not have done it any faster than 2 years. The distance is long enough that you don't want to go into it undertrained. When you do a HIM, you will get a small taste for how much that takes out of you. It was not until I had completed a HIM that I knew I could train for an IM. |
| 2009-06-24 2:47 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Regular 98 | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Dont do it. Enjoy college. I just graduated a few years ago ad looking back I could not be happier I didn't do an full before now. Unless you have tons of friends that do the sport and are willing to go on 100 mile bike rides/20 mile runs with you it'll get old and get there fast. You have plenty of time and more money when you graduate to enoy the sport. In the mean time train for some 70.3s |
| 2009-06-24 3:16 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Champion 5782 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Ultimately it is just a question of priorities...but, in my experience, most people don't really examine their priorities very deeply. In the case of signing up for an IM, you really need to. It isn't cheap and it requires a lot of commitment and available time. Like Steve- said above, you don't have to do endless months of 15-18 hour weeks, but you do have to do a significant number of those weeks. I'm at the peak period of training for my first IM and have just finished a three week block of 15-16 hour weeks and it definitely can be a challenge to manage even that much, at least while working full time. Getting up at 5:30am on summer Sunday morning to get in a 6 1/2 hour ride before a 2pm wedding reception...after spending most of Saturday on a 1 hour ocean swim and 3+ hour run...was really hard. But that was the only way to get it done and skipping the ride would have left me second-guessing myself to no end. |
| 2009-06-26 3:59 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Pro 4608 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? I'm going to disagree with some of you and say you don't need a base of years in order to adequately train for an IM. I've only been doing tris since June 2008 and have only done 4 thus far - 2 sprints, an Oly and an HIM. I signed up for IMWI just 3 months after learning how to swim and have been training all year for it. But like others said, it's all about your priorities. I only got into triathlon so I could do an Ironman. I don't have much interest in doing sprints and after the HIM, I'm not really interested in Olys either. But we're all different people, I just gravitate to longer distances. While I came from a zero swim background and still need to improve, I had a 9 year running history, 5 marathons completed and 6 years cycling with a handful of 85+ mile rides and some centuries, so I don't think it was a huge leap. The training has gone really well for me but I doubt I could have done this even 4 years ago. You have to be at the right place in your life and only you can really know if that time is now. |
| 2009-06-26 9:18 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Champion 7595 Columbia, South Carolina | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? I'm not going to directly disagree with all the experts -- seriously, they know 100x more than I do. I will say that I wish I had had OP's desire when I was in college, and that I NEVER had as much time to train as when I was an undergrad. (Instead, I drank.) Many of us (myself included) seem to think that we will always have more time at the next stage of our lives, when in fact very often the opposite is the case. |
| 2009-06-26 11:01 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Extreme Veteran 744 Ontario | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? If you love triathlon so much, then why do you want to do an IM as soon as possible and on a bare minimum of training? Stick around and enjoy yourself for a while instead of risking injury and burnout. I did my first IM after 8 years in the sport, and about 35 races including four 70.3 races. I think that I was overly hasty |
| 2009-06-27 1:26 PM in reply to: #2240526 |
Pro 5169 Burbs | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? treiks813 - 2009-06-24 3:47 PM Dont do it. Enjoy college. I just graduated a few years ago ad looking back I could not be happier I didn't do an full before now. Unless you have tons of friends that do the sport and are willing to go on 100 mile bike rides/20 mile runs with you it'll get old and get there fast. You have plenty of time and more money when you graduate to enoy the sport. In the mean time train for some 70.3s x2. College is a blast and although I swam and ran (recreationally, not competitively, and more so to keep off some of the beer weight), I'm glad I waited until after law school to start marathon training ... and then tri/ IM training. Enjoy college and all the dumb things you can do while you're still in school  |
| 2009-06-27 2:39 PM in reply to: #2239324 |
Member 63 Milwaukee, WI | Subject: RE: How much time/experience is enough? Thanks for all the replies! I want to do an Ironman "as fast as possible," because that was the main goal when I first started thinking about triathlons. It doesn't really matter when I do one, but I know that's where I want to get. I feel like I won't have the opportunity to train for one as effectively as I could now once I finish my undergrad next December. That's why I figured IMWI 2010 was a good one to shoot for. I'm still enjoying all the wonderful pleasantries of the college life, and I don't anticipate there to be a huge conflict between the two since I have a really light course load until I graduate that allows plenty of room for extracurricular activities. I might have to skip Tuesday bacon nights once the semester starts... Mmm, bacon. I'm definitely leaning towards pushing things back a year and filling next season with Olympics and one 70.3 to see how things go. Thanks for all the suggestions! Another year to get the engine in tip-top shape certainly won't hurt. Edited by JRL 2009-06-27 2:40 PM |
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