Iron Aardvark group - Closed (Page 11)

So follow up question:

I've got a friend that is really encouraging me to do a HIM with him in september. I'm considering it. I'd like to try/do it but got some other factors that I have to consider (pregnant wife with a dislocate pelvis, new kid in May, we're broke anyways blah blah blah excuse excuse excuse etc.).
The only equipment I have is my wife's road bike, 2 piece trisuit, goggles, a gym membership and my Iphone.

What are something y'all would consider must haves in order to be prepared for a HIM? (body glide? Perfect Shoes?)
What items/gear helps a lot and would be good to have if I can swing it? (Speedos? Swim cap? Clips for the bike or will a cage do? Dignity?

He's also encouraging me to do a IM with him next year in Pensacola which I'm also thinking about longer than I need to. I'm nervous about committing considering I haven't even done a sprint yet.

Poley, while I encourage everyone to push themselves and do believe in the the whole "you don't know what you can do until you try" thing there are boundaries.  It is starting to sound as if you are putting way to much into this way to fast (decision wise / pressure).  What I mean is that you first need to see if this is something you are even going to enjoy doing.  I doubt you are pursuing a career in triathlon, so there is no need to treat it as such.  You also have a lot on your plate and a lot of it will and should consume a large portion of your time.  Half Ironman training may be workable in this schedule, but Full Ironman might not, or neither.  You can do it, but remember our children have but one childhood, and a marriage can only take so much.  I'm not trying to discourage you but instead trying to get you to enter the sport and stay with it becuase you enjoy it.  You do not have to do a Half or Full Ironman during this year or any other to validate yourself as an triathlete or Ironman.  You may chose to get healthy, stay healthy, enjoy the sport, get your family and others involved, and be an Ironman to your family.  I remind myself all the time that I should not do or purchase anything that puts my family at a lose.  I guess my point is that if you are only capable time / money / family / equipment wise to do two sprints this year, then do those two sprints to the best of your ability and enjoy them.  Don't try to force the square peg through the round hole.  

To answer your main question - shoes that are comfortable, a bike, clothing, and your desire are all you have to have.  The fancy bikes, tri suits, HR monitors, expensive shoes, high dollar helmets, and so fourth are things we desire but do not have to have. 

If you need a helmet I would be more than happy to send you the Bell one size fits all helmet that I had before purchasing a new one.  I also have a size large cycling jersey that I would be more than happy to give you.

Ok so let's recap my events from yesterday.  Woke up and got everything together for the Bluebonnet Express Bike Ride.  I had made up my mind that I would drop down to the 25 Mile route to put less on my back for the day.  Drove to the location and it was extremely wind, steady 20 mph gusting to over 30 mph.  I thought about it and debated not doing it becuase I knew the wind would make it more difficult and add more strain on my back.  I decided I would go sign in and think about it for the hour I had until the 8:30 start.  I got out my truck and had to fight just to push the door open, well it slammed shut behind me.  To my suprise I had hit the lock and now my phone, keys, and bicycle were all locked inside the truck.  I went to check in, used someones phone, and got my brother-in-law on his way to me with a key.  I got my key around 9:05 a.m. and made the decision that to start now with no one around was not the best decision for me / my back.  I headed home thinking how it just really seemed that the good Lord did not want me to do this race.  I pull into the driveway and see my cycling shoes on the driveway (set them down when I was loading the bike).  I took this as another sign that this ride was not meant to be because even if all the other stuff had not happened I still could not have done the ride without my shoes.  I guess I'll never know why all this happened, but I am sure it happened for a reason. Things that make you go HUM

I was hoping to get an idea of how much of a money commitment this would be to see if it's realistic.

I don't know, the more I read the more this feels like it's a silly dream to move ahead with. Maybe it was the rough night with the kid but not feeling as committed to the idea.

Sorry your race didn't go as planned. But I like your outlook that perhaps there are reasons so many factors preventing you from moving forward on it. God works in mysterious ways. At least thats how I see it.

My first HIM was in my second yr of tri - after 4 or 5 sprints and 2 oly races - my HIM was while my wife was pregnant and the race was 7wks before due date - saying that it was our first child. I'm now training for a full distance with an 18mth old so both can be done. You definately need your wife to agree to it as I see it as a team event. You'll sacrifice some of your free time but what else would you be doing?!!

In terms of time I'd say I averaged about 6hrs/wk of training for my HIM over a 7mth period to finish in 6hrs - just trained on feel and not to a plan - wish I had worked to a plan for it now!

Cost wise it can get as expensive as you want! Essentials in my eyes:

Swim - a wetsuit (I race in Ireland where all races are wetsuit essential!) Swim cap and goggles.

Bike -  If your wife's bike is a good fit then there's no reson you can't use that. Helmet is obligatory in all races.  You have a tri suit. I think bike shoes are a good investment long term but you can get away without them easily. Some sort of bike compute is useful and can be picked up for about €20-30

Run - a good pair of trainers.

Thats it - the rest are luxuries and can be added to as your addiction grows!.

The key is balancing everything and a supportive family.

Just from my pesonal experience!

Stay with the group, and keep logging your workouts even if you are not running, please.

You know this made we think of what I always tell myself before and after and event.  I want to do / did my best for the conditions and my current physical condition on this day.