General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM Training Plan for Slow Person Rss Feed  
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2009-09-07 2:48 PM

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Subject: IM Training Plan for Slow Person
I'm training for an Ironman next year and looked at the programs.  The beginner program has a maximum bike of 6 hr and a run at 3 hour.  I am a large guy and do not run/bike real fast.  Should I be concerned that the don't bike/run the race distance before the race?  I'm sure the program assumes you can bike/run at a certain rate.  Should I be training a longer time to account for my slowness? 


2009-09-07 3:03 PM
in reply to: #2393438

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person
How slow?

I am a former 250 guy who worked my way into the 190's.  I have been training for an Ironman for the past year so I have some experience with this.  Are you coming off the couch or do you have some sort of base fitness level?  Yes, if you are really slow those plans are not going to do quite what they are intended to do.  However, slow is kind of relative to your goals.

So can you give us some more info? 
2009-09-07 4:38 PM
in reply to: #2393438

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person
Well, I'm current 288 lbs.  I did a HIM last year (7:15) and just finished a marathon in January.  I have been doing triathlons for 15 year (mainly sprints).  I current run about 11-12 min/mile pace and bike around 14-15 mph.  I'm hoping to lose weight during the process.
2009-09-08 8:50 AM
in reply to: #2393438

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person

A 6-hour ride should get you pretty close to 100 miles (you can expect to get a little faster with focused, consistent, training).  A 3-hour run will be 15-17 miles at the paces you're quoting.  You can do OK at an IM with those kinds of numbers.  There is a psychological advantage to covering 112 miles in a training ride (and also a risk), but not usually a good reason to punish your body with a 26-mile training run (although you could do a stand-alone marathon for the experience). 

2009-09-09 1:08 PM
in reply to: #2394283

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person

I would go by distance on the bike since you will be on the course longer.  On the run I'd stick to the time.

I think personally, with the IM that far out, I would do a Bike / Swim focus and just hold serve on the run.  Probably a 4/4/2 ratio for the S/B/R, with no long runs untill about 4 months out.  

The reason is at your weight the Swim and Bike are the lowest impact, and running gives you the greatest chance of injury.  At about 6 months out I would balance it out more, but right now you want to really focus on low impact, high calorie exercises and try to drop some pounds and still build a decent base. 

 



Edited by furiousferret 2009-09-09 1:11 PM
2009-09-16 2:50 PM
in reply to: #2393438

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person

It sounds like going by the time is fine for you.  I share concerns for longer runs, but hopefully you are going to drop 20 pounds or so by the time you are into the 13 + mile runs.  It is a journey.  Welcome to it.   



2009-09-16 3:42 PM
in reply to: #2393438

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Subject: RE: IM Training Plan for Slow Person
Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm signed-up for Ironman Wisconsin 2010!  I have dropped 8lbs for far.  A long time to go....
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