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 2007-08-16 1:46 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Not a Coach  11473     Media, PA |  Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an IronmanI suggest you get your physical & mental rest and when your head clears think seriously about WHY you want to do an IM. List the positives and negatives and evaluate whether it's worth it for you. Because (and, my honest opinion based on what you're saying, not trying to be harsh) it sounds like a mistake for you. |
| 2007-08-16 2:08 PM in reply to: #928462 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman JohnnyKay - 2007-08-16 1:46 PM I suggest you get your physical & mental rest and when your head clears think seriously about WHY you want to do an IM. List the positives and negatives and evaluate whether it's worth it for you. Because (and, my honest opinion based on what you're saying, not trying to be harsh) it sounds like a mistake for you. Thanks for that advice. I have my reasons. I know what they are. But you are right, anyone going into a committment such as completing an IM should know why they are doing it. I appreciate your opinion, but as we know, you might not see the full picture here. Yea, I might not fit the mold of what a typical IM finisher is (is there one?)... so along the way I'm going to make my own mold. |
| 2007-08-16 2:14 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Extreme Veteran 527 Jacksonville, FL | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman 1. I started 5 mos b4 the event ( I had completed a 1/2 IM in the previous months) & wish I had started at least 7 or 8 mos out because I found as my distances got longer it was more difficult to recover & stay on plan. Had I begun the base building process further out I could have built the long workouts sooner & had the body better prepared for recovering. I found myself building in larger chunks because of the compressed time to the race...sometimes that's a recipe for injury but for me it was an issue with recovery that I hadn't expected. 2. I took 1 day a week as a total rest day, that helps both physically but mentally and as someone else said you should to attend to other personal needs for your sanity i.e. family. IMO, rest days are a very important workout, the body rebuilds itself on those days. I also used the 3 weeks hard, 1 week easy approach & that helped stay focused on the plan & broke it into 1 month training blocks. 3. I have a regular day job that allows me more flexibility than most with access to our own gym and the ability to ride at lunch or do a run at any point during the day. I don't know how those with intense 8-5 jobs can train for an IM but my hat is off to their discipline! I finished in 15 hrs, slower than I expected because I didn't get my race day nutrition correct, the training time (avg 13-14 hrs/week) was plenty to compete in an IM. Here's the race report if you're interested http://www.kingdogwood.com/id27.html |
| 2007-08-16 2:33 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Expert 839 Portland, OR | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman KSH - 2007-08-16 7:12 AM OK, I have a questions: 1) How far out did you start training for your IM? I used the BT Beginner Ironman program. It was 20 weeks long and since I had virtually no base I decided to do the first 4 weeks of training 2 times to start re-establishing good training habits. I had knee surgery in 05 so no training or racing that year. I started with a coach in 06 and in spite of a job with 60% travel I trained and finished my 2nd 1/2 IM in July 2006 and then pretty much had a life meltdown. I changed jobs, my coach moved out of town and my marriage had badly suffered from the crazy work/travel/training so I took Aug-Dec off. I ran 2 or 3 times a week and sometimes went to spinning class but I didn't swim or ride my tri bike at all during this time. I had registered for IM CDA in June and knew it was less than a year away but I also knew that "training" for it 8 or 9 months ahead would burn me out. 2) Did you get rest days in your training plan? Was it possible to get in the volume that you needed and get rest days? Absolutely! Check out my logs from Jan-June of this year. I had a rest day almost 1x per week, some weeks I had 2 rest days. I knew training would be tough so to help myself I did the following. I stretched every night for 10-15 minutes before bed. I made sure (with few exceptions) I got 7+ hours of sleep every night even if I had to miss a swim or something to do it. I got regular sports massages and took Emergen-C and Glucosomine daily to keep my joints and immune system happy. But man those rest days were crucial. I would have hated my training without them and definitely would have gotten injured 3) Did you have a regular day job (aka: Basically 7-5 with getting ready, etc.)? Yep. I take the train to work so that adds 30-45 min each way depending on if I missed the train and had to wait for another one. I would catch the train about 8am and return on the train anywhere from 5-6pm. I did my long runs on Thursday after work so that I spent either Sat or Sun with my long bike + t-run and then usually I had a recovery swim or bike the next day or it was a rest day. Every week I'd look at what the plan had for me in terms of workouts and move things around so I got the workouts done but they fit into my schedule ie if I had an evening meeting or a massage or if I had an early work meeting I wouldn't be able to swim or what have you. I also found that organization and planning were critical to balancing the hecticness of regular life. I kept spare GU, GU20 and goggles in my car, at work, in all my various bags. I made sure that I always through workout clothes into the wash when I got home so they would be ready for the next day if needed and I spent an hour on Sunday preparing all my little snacks and food for lunches/breakfasts etc during the week. (My food logs are also avail on BT if you're curious since I don't cook and managed to lose almost 30lbs while IM training). My goal is to start training for my IM about 8 months out (Jan-Aug). So far, my coaches theory is that I train 7 days a week, and this is only for my HIM. I put in around 10-13 hours a week on average. My longest IM training week was 18 hours and that was 1x per week. I trained exactly how I planned to race. I did run/walk intervals for anything over an hour, I tested out all my nutrition and clothing weeks and months in advance so I knew what worked for me but most importantly I had fun! Seriously. IM training is a BIG commitment and if you aren't having fun and enjoying the experience then it will be a long X # of months. Smile, have fun, think of how cool it is that you are preparing for the greatest endurance event. Remind yourself how lucky you are to have the ability to train for something like Ironman and thank those people around you who *hopefully* make your regular life easier while you are in training mode. I really want to know if it will be possible for me to train to FINISH an IM in around 16 hours... with only 5-6 days of training. If I can you can!!!!!! I finished in 16:22 and had the most amazing day. I never had a low moment and can easily say it was the most fun day of my life. I can't wait to do it again  Go for it! This HIM training has shown me that I can't go for months without a rest day. Sure, I love training, but I need a mental and physical rest day. I need to lay on the couch and be lazy at least 1 day a week. So... give me all the gory details! I want to know what is possible! PS- This really appiles to us normal mortals... not you super-start athletes out there. I'm a normal gal who doesn't run or ride very fast. |
| 2007-08-16 2:35 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Master 1967 | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman 1. My intent was to lay down a really good base for a few month and then use the BT 20 week plan. - Note the word intent. (See below) 2. I have to get rest. I need it physically and I need it to deal with "life." 3. I have a job, but it's far from "regular." Right around the time that I was ramping up my training for IM Wisconsin last year my job went insane. I started working 12 to 15 hour days and traveling all over the country for weeksa at a time. I was eating in airports (not good for the nutrition plan) and working out in crappy hotel gyms. Add to that the fact that when I was home I needed (for me and them) to spend time with my kids, and my training plan was pretty much shot to hell. Then on race day I got to race in cold rain and driving wind. But in the end I fininshed in 15:18 - so I think the answer to you question is "yes." You can finish in 16 hours with 5-6 days of training per week. The only advice I can give is to not get too upset when life screws up your training. Its going to happen. Deal with the important stuff, remember that IM training is really just a hobby, and keep moving toward the finish line goal. |
| 2007-08-16 2:40 PM in reply to: #928489 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman KSH - 2007-08-16 2:08 PM JohnnyKay - 2007-08-16 1:46 PM Thanks for that advice. I have my reasons. I know what they are. But you are right, anyone going into a committment such as completing an IM should know why they are doing it. I appreciate your opinion, but as we know, you might not see the full picture here. Yea, I might not fit the mold of what a typical IM finisher is (is there one?)... so along the way I'm going to make my own mold. I suggest you get your physical & mental rest and when your head clears think seriously about WHY you want to do an IM. List the positives and negatives and evaluate whether it's worth it for you. Because (and, my honest opinion based on what you're saying, not trying to be harsh) it sounds like a mistake for you. Alright. Carry on then. |
| 2007-08-16 3:17 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Master 2571 Tiger's Den | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Getting ready to train for my first IM (if I ever get the acceptance email for the CF) but my coach assures me that IM training is not that much more than my HIM training, with exception to the long bike and run. I have peaked for my HIM at about 11-13 hours per week and have had 2 days off over the past 5 weeks, but that is mainly because I'd rather do one of my swims on my typical day off so that I don't have to get up early for a 2fer on one of the days. I expect that IM training will mean I have 2 days of double workouts, and I'm ok with that. I won't start training actively for the IM until about 5-6 months out, but I do have a half mary in month 2 that I will do, and I'm sure something else will come along to thrown in. I work 8-5 and have a 30 min commute each way, so I do understand where you are coming from... |
| 2007-08-16 3:44 PM in reply to: #927999 |
| New user 78 | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Karen, I haven't completed an IM yet, but I will. I recommend you pick up a copy of Don Fink's Be Iron Fit. A couple people I train with completed IM Moo last year and recommended it. They used his competitive plan successfully. The second chapter discusses effective time management. I found the information insightful and I will be putting these strategies to work for me in my training. It also contains three different training plans. Each plan is 7 months long and has a rest day every Monday. I plan on using this as my foundation for my IM next year as well as utilizing a local coach (I can give some recommendations if you like). Good luck! From what I read on here once you set your mind to doing it you'll get it done. |
| 2007-08-17 12:33 AM in reply to: #927999 |
Veteran 252 Chicago and therabouts | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman I am one who has not completed one yet..but IM WI will hopefully be first. Training was supposed to start Dec/Jan..Injury forced things to start April/May I take at least 1 day off (by design) and often more by neccesity secondary to my job and kids (ages 6 and 9) I have a regular job as a physician..work 6:00-6:30 am till work is done (5pm-7pm); weekends 2 in 5..Essentially unable to workout on those weekends. My peak volume has been around 13 hrs.. JT Edited by jtopin 2007-08-17 12:34 AM |
| 2007-08-17 5:31 AM in reply to: #927999 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Rest Day?! Isn't that what you call the day after the IM?! :-) Reading thru this thread it looks like a 'rest day' is the norm. I looked back thru my log and I trained 49 consecutive days without a day off. My plan was this: Mon: easy swim Tues: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Wed: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Thurs: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Fri: swim am/run noon Sat: long bike Sun: long run How come you guys didn't tell me I could take a day off!?? ~Mike Edited by Rogillio 2007-08-17 5:33 AM |
| 2007-08-17 7:05 AM in reply to: #927999 |
| Online or Offline | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman No! Day after IM is a very easy swim and easy spin. You'll be happy you got up to move around that day. |
| 2007-08-17 8:58 AM in reply to: #929064 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Rogillio - 2007-08-17 5:31 AM Rest Day?! Isn't that what you call the day after the IM?! :-) Reading thru this thread it looks like a 'rest day' is the norm. I looked back thru my log and I trained 49 consecutive days without a day off. My plan was this: Mon: easy swim Tues: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Wed: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Thurs: swim am/run noon/trainer pm Fri: swim am/run noon Sat: long bike Sun: long run How come you guys didn't tell me I could take a day off!?? ~Mike OK, uuuummmm... THAT training schedule would make me give up training all together! 3 a days? No thanks! But kudos for you for being able to do it! |
| 2007-08-17 2:36 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Master 1254 Chesapeake, VA | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman My training mantra for IM CdA was "IM training revolves around MY life, not the other way around". Being a single father with my kids part-time and having a job that requires lots of hours and lots of travel, I had a hard time sticking to a real structured training program. Basically, I trained as much as I could when I could. I missed many mid-week sessions and my weekend sessions were a mixed bag depending on my work/kid schedule. My peak week topped at 18+ hours and I had 3 century rides under my belt before the big day. I also came into my training with a decent marathon base. My full-on IM training began in November for a June race. Completing an IM can be done even if you Good luck and if you decide to sign up for an IM be sure to enjoy every minute of the experience, starting from day one of training.
Edited by captantony 2007-08-17 2:38 PM |
| 2007-08-17 4:29 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Elite 3770 | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Hi there! Now having done my one IM, and 3 HIM's...I have some thoughts on this... First of all, I started in January with my plan to do IMLP, and started with very little hours, less than I even expected (only about 5 a week!) I have to undertrain, since my body is much more of a limiter than time. I probably topped about 18 hours (swimming 3x a week, running 3x a week, and biking 4x), but I built up slowly to that. Most of my hours were on the weekend. My long runs only topped around 17 miles, I did LOTS of bricks. Everytime I did a long bike, I made sure to run at least 2 miles after...even after my first 112 mile ride on the course. I was very busy, with teaching full time and tutoring 3 days a week after school, so in May I started doing AM workouts to get it all in. Longer daylight hours and finally not working this summer (I chose my IM solely by the time of year) allowed me to do all my heaviest training a little more easily. But April and May? Those were really rough. Long weekends...that's what it boils down to. Long rides are first priority. and so is doing it on the course. It is amazing the psychological effect of familiarity! Have people to train with, and tell everyone. Just like going on a diet, its good to tell everyone your plan, so that they will stay on you! Have some fun. I did more open water swims the two months leading up b/c I was sick of the pool, and I would reward myself after all my long bikes/runs. Hello, Baskin Robbins! I earned my single scoop of chocolate! I also had my main motivation to finish that damn 17 mile run at Lake Placid b/c I SOO wanted to go on the bobsled ride. It doesn't have to be food, just pick something you really want or want to do. It works! Take your rest day. I ALWAYS took Monday off. I tried to make my doctors' appts. then and went out to dinner with friends on that day. It was an earned mental vacation as well as important for my body to rest and necessary for my time management. finally, my first half freaked me out! This year, I did the same half before my IM, and I could have cared less--I had much bigger fish to fry. It just seemed like a long training! Its amazing the perspective you learn. I need to take at LEAST a year off till my next IM, since the training is the hard part, but getting to do the race and being successful is your reward. You can do it. You can in 10 hours. The good part of more training is it hurts a little less during and after, and your recovery is better if you're better prepared. I finished in 15:01 ( an hour better than I expected) and was finally felt ok by Wednesday. Not a great time, but I wasn't in the hospital and I finished. Its possible!! You'll be great! Amy |
| 2007-08-18 9:42 PM in reply to: #927999 |
Master 1686 Royersford, PA | Subject: RE: For those who have trained for and completed an Ironman Johnny Kay said it best "How long did I train for an Ironman? 3 years". Once I got that goal in my head I never stopped training for it. And once I achieved that goal, I never let up. It certainly shows in my perfromance this year. (HIM, OLY, and Sprint PRs) You get there by taking small steps and building yourself up gradually. Its a lot less stressful, you'll have a great race experience, and you'll probably do better. I alway take a day off per week and then do periodization 2 week on 1 week recovery off season and 3 to 1 on season. If you look at my logs I spend alot more time on the bike and very little time swimming cause for me that gives me the most bang for my training buck. (It works for me, but I certainly wouldn't reccommend it for everyone). I never went crazy with the total training hours getting to about 10-12 hours per week max before IMFL but I had a great race and finished before my kids bed time (13:17:55 or 8:17pm CST). I have a full time (and then some) job with quite a bit of travel and a wife and 2 young boys who demand my time as well. Those are my top priorities not triathlon. I do triathlons and Ironmans because I enjoy it. I enjoy training, enjoy my lunch run, enjoy a simple trainer ride in my basement. Ironman training shouldn't be a chore. You work hard but you get so much more back. Good health, confidence, and the opportunity to make your dreams come true. The feeling you get coming down to the finish line at IMFL was so incredible and I can only imagine what it will be like at Kona. |
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