Post Ironman Blues

It hit me too. I need a goal to chase and right now I'm in limbo. I would love to keep this fitness level up and I can sense that it's about to start slipping away.

I'm a victim myself. But it wasn't right after as the IM I did (IMKY 08) was fairly close to the end of the season. My goal this year was to get faster overall and compete in some Oly's. Got my training plan all written out, and then just didn't do a thing. Have done zero races this year, but my wife and I are doing a sprint Du on the 12th of Sept and I'm finally kicking into gear. Hopefully I can use my new found motivation to get ramped up for my first stand alone mary.

I started out my fitness quest with goal of completing half marathon.  Felt same let down when it was done.  A good friend was training for IMLOU 2009, which peaked my interest, and got has got me involved in triathlon.

If your looking for a new challenge, check out the Pikes Peak Marathon - 13.1 miles with over a mile ascend to 14,000', then back down.  It's on my list of events I must attempt.

I gotta admit I thought was going to be either a Jazz or R&B thread.

Ooooops my bad

So why take a break?

It sounds like a good year to work on getting faster.  And with the 3 HIM's you can test out your speed and be gtg for that IM in 2011.  I may drop to just HIM's in 2011 to try to amp up my um marginal speed for 2012, but I am already signed up for a 2010 IM and have a mary to amp up for now.  It is really wierd only having 5-6 hours of workouts while I am recouping, but I have other projects to occupy my time.  I could totaly see getting down though IM takes up sooo much of your life all year. 

yeah...i hear ya. 2010. no freakin' idea what I'll be doing. I have NYC marathon coming up - perhaps it's the cooler temps, but I'm starting to finally feel a little bit motivated. I know exactly that feeling of having achieved a great level of fitness and then feeling it slowly (slow...how about quickly) fade away.

This might not be helpful, but I confess I was worried about being depressed or unmotivated after my IM -- I spent the past year+ thinking of little else (training-wise).  But it didn't happen.  Instead, all I can think about is how to be faster for the next one.  I mean, to the point where it's borderline unhealthy -- I lost about 2 hours at work today because I was thinking about how to train over the next year in order to maximize my IM performance in (probably) 2 years.

I can really relate.  Although I have not done an IM I felt the same depression after my 1st marathon.  It was a year of building base and then building miles in preparation and an IM is this to the tenth degree.  I agree with the poster that said this is a good time to work on speed with your 3 1/2 IM scheduled. You could also look into something else ...maybe a destination marathon or century ...Big sur is supposed to be great.  I think a combination of events, some that really challenge you and  and a few that allow you to just have fun.

I saw this article, maybe some of it can help.  I found it informational

http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/your-ironman-is-over-what-about-life-as-you-know-it

I definitely was after CDA in june.  I signed up for augusta to keep myself going.  I think finding goals outside of triathlon helps while still being involved in the sport and having some triathlon goals.  Its just a huge change of focus but think about the time you'll get to spend with spouse/family etc.  Its definitely going to take time to refocus but you will find your way into the different lifestyle in time. 

Last year I was after Lake Placid. I felt I was fit and wanted to be able to use my fitness but my body was not in agreement with my head. I fought it for awhile kept trying to train and did a couple races, was a did not start to a few, raced cyclocross.

IM Canada was Sunday, didn't go exactly like I expected and I'm sure I'm fitter than I ever have and now I'm taking a month off with no s/b/r and will lose that fitness. I know it will be good for both my mind and body but it is sad to see some of my fitness go.

This year going long has changed from a goal to complete an Ironman to more enjoying the lifestyle so I'm more okay with being done for the year as I know I will do another.