recommended experience and pace before beginning IM Training (Page 2)

Rather than quoting the entire thread in my reply, I want to agree with everyone who has posted already. There is some very good advice from experienced people, and I hope you take it to heart.

You shouldn't do Ironman next year. You're not ready to do Ironman and you very likely won't be ready in 10 months to have a good chance of finishing. You haven't attempted an Olympic triathlon, let alone a half Ironman. I think you should train for a half Ironman next year, and if you finish in 8 hours, then I think you'll be on track to finish an Ironman.

Having time to train and actually going out daily to train and put in the weekly 10-15 hours up to 20+ hours takes discipline and mental toughness, and you haven't challenged yourself yet and shown you can train 10-15 hours a week. The mental aspect of Ironman is something that gets overlooked. It is mentally draining to get out and train six days a week, as well as being mentally strong during the race for when it starts to get very painful (and it will).

I'm not saying you shouldn't race because you're slow, and the cut-offs are a very real possibility. Knowing that you're close to the cut-offs means that you have much less room for error than someone else, and you have to be better with your race execution than someone else. Taking the time to train and ramp up slowly is very important so you don't get a setback you can't afford to have.

I'm not trying to sound rude or dismissive, but I am trying to be blunt and honest. What have you done since your races and since you first posted a month ago? Have you kept your fitness and improved? Since you've had your dream of racing Louisville, have you been training, anticipation signing up? If not, then I really don't think you're ready.

I was an exception to the rule that you should have some triathlon experience before signing up for Ironman. I had never done a triathlon, let alone a running race of any distance before signing up for Ironman. I was a collegiate cyclist for a few years before I signed up, I swam a year in high school and a little at a youth, and I was 23 when I signed up too. I was experienced putting in the training hours for cycling, and I was mentally tough, so I knew I could finish. IMWI 2005 was very hot and I came down with a cold that week, but even though I walked the last 18 miles of the marathon, I still managed to finish in 14:17. It can be done, but it is very rare.

Now that you've had input from many people on this forum, what are your thoughts? If you had to justify to a jury of your peers, why should you be 'allowed' to race Ironman? Hopefully this gives you some food for thought in deciding when is the right time to race.

You don't necessarily need a coach, but it is a big help for a first-timer. If it is cost-prohibitive (or you just don't want to spend $100-300 every month), a good training plan and a local tri club with experienced Iron(wo)men can take the place of a coach too.

I don't know if you've riden in SW Wisconsin or on the loop yet, but I highly recommend it at least one (hopefully often) since you so close. Especially with Ironman Wisconsin, it will make a world of difference. Good luck.


Edited by pnelson 2013-10-11 11:47 AM

There is a lot of advice here, much of it being good. Do I think you could do it, absolutely! Will it hurt? Probably. I am slow. I had done 10 or so sprints with one oly but then took 2 full years off of anything physical aside from a run every few months and some occasional mtn bike rides. After my 2 year hiatus I did a couple sprints and signed up for IMTX 2012. I used the 20wk plan from BT and I will admit that I realistically did 30ish % of the prescribed training. I had a long race. 1:59 swim, 7:56 bike, 6:17 run, throw in transitions and my finish time was 16:36:12. It was a long day and it hurt but it was a ton of fun! I am now considering doing IMTX 2014 and have little base to build on but think that I will actually have time to train properly this year. I will still be slow but know I am capable of <15. I wish you luck with whatever you choose. Just be sure and have fun along the way!

+1 'respect the distance'. It is a very long day. It is very hard.

You don't have to train 15-20 hours a week, but even 10-12 week after week, constantly tired, hungry, hurrying to 'get in a workout' is tough. If you're newto it, the training is very hard.

Finally, running your first marathon well is a 'mountain top experience'. It is not required, but why miss one of the greatest thrills in life. Train properly and finish your first 26.2, then think about starting to run one after an hour and a half swim and seven hours on the bike.

Respect the distance. Prepare sufficiently. Set yourself up to succeed, not to suffer.