IM? Too soon?

Since you really don't blog enough information, I can't really assess with what you provided.

But, but time alone, it seems that you could do it.

I would consider getting a plan and/or a coach, and put the time in, if anything.  Get your nutrition down.

Come back with more info and we can probably better assist. 'K?

Yes, but I'm also assuming that most people who've properly trained for an Ironman, have done enough running training where they COULD finish a standalone marathon fairly comfortably, or at least followed an Iron-distance plan that incorporated the required mileage...sounds like this guy has not...

Is your goal to experience the distance and just complete the race?  Sure, knock yourself out.  But, your potential performance could be soooo much better if you trained appropriately for an IM next year.

Assuming that you're all set to complete this IM 10/24/09, than you have almost no time to improve your level of fitness significantly.  Here are three ideas that might help you to prepare. 

1) Bike/Run Bricks.  A short run after all of your bikes is a good idea and you are probably already doing bricks, but just in case you aren't, make sure to incorporate.  Long bike rides (not fast) followed by a few miles run will really help you to train your legs for the transition from bike to run and will help you decide if you are physically fit enough for the IM.  Do many of these. 

2) As someone said, you need to dial in your nutrition so that you do not have problems on race day.  If you have done your 1/2 IM, you have an idea of why this is so important.  How many calories per hour?  What amount of carbs, etc?  You must practice eating/drinking what you intend to use on race day.

3) Pacing.  IMOO last weekend showed really slow run times by AG and proracers who cooked themselves on the bike.  You need to go into the race with a good pacing strategy for both the bike and the run.  This can be complicated and is personal.  Experience really helps here so a coach could prove invaluable.

Good luck.

Why solicit the opinions of others when it comes to doing an IM?  I don't know that I have ever read a response regarding this very question, that was..."Sure, do it.  Have fun with it. It hurts, but you seem fit, so go for it."  Everyone always seems to say... No, not so soon, why rush it, need a coach, train more, etc....    ONLY You truly know where you are in your fitness and readiness.  If you are confident in your fitness, then go out and do it!  You may get injured, the suck level & pain may be higher than that if you trained more... then again, it may not.  You can train for a year, and show up on race day and have a GI issue that causes you to not keep food or water down... and your done!  All essentially for NOT.  I am not advocating doing IM's on a whim... I do believe in training (more for the recovery afterwards and injury prevention than for making it through the actual event)... But there are countless folks who have taken on the IM on much less and had success (and I am not defining success by simply finishing in 16:59:59.... although, that is actually the ultimate goal.)  

So you decide for yourself, and take ALL that is posted here with a grain of sea salt...  Including this post, because none of us have the TRUE answer to this question... only opinions.  And we all know the analogy of those...    Good luck! 

I agree with Trin2bfast comments.

I have a feeling that you had an itch before you even posed the question.  Its ultimately up to you, if you want to scratch it or not.

Let us know what your final decision is.  I hate cliffhangers.

It always amazes me at the number of people who advise against an IM because the person might not be able to turn in the best performance of their life or someone's condition or training might not be optimal.

Good Lord, it's just a race!!!  Sign up, train and do the race!  Do the best you can and have fun.  If you think you can do better, then sign up and do the race again. 

If you are only ever gonna do one IM to punch your ticket and get bragging rights then, yeah, maybe wait until you are at the pinnacle of your triathlon career, have a couple of dozen triathlons and marathon under you belt and take your best shot. 

I can tell you this, the overwhelming majority of IM race reports you read on this site are very positive and people had the times of their lives!  And the majory if IM races on this site are first timers.  Very seldom do you see someone's race report that says, "Boy, that sucked!  I wish I had waited till (whatever) before I tried an IM".

I suppose some people look at and IM as some rite of passage....like loosing your virginity or something, but really, it's just a race.  You aren't goona win.  Just do your best, don't get hurt and have fun.  Repeat as necessary.

~Mike