JohnnyKay and Fred Doucette's HIM/IM focused Mentor group-CLOSED (Page 54)

I tossed up my RR from my past 2 weekends of racing on my blog, you can read them here...

http://chasingkona.blogspot.com/2011/06/triathlon-season-is-underway.html

I will be returning to IMWI next year, too hard of a race to pass up that is in my hometown. I am also thinking about doing either an early season IM or Arizona, but I am most leaning towards just IMWI as of now. I saw New York sold out fast, I am very interested to see how this race unfolds logistically.

I've biked across it a couple of times.  I don't particularly enjoy it, although running would be more fun, and the pedestrian side is more picturesque.  You might consider planning a one way run into Sausalito, do lunch and then take the ferry back to the city.  I'm all about the "experience."  If you do run into Sausalito, be sure to take the back road from the parking lot at the end of the bridge...it runs thru an old military base and then into town.  Have fun.

I am toying with the idea of IMTX.  I also have been thinking of IMWI.  Wisconsin makes sense because I live in Chicago and it's designed to fit our training season.  Plus it's close and I can ride the course, etc.  However, this year has been a dry run for the express purpose of finding out what it's like to train for an IM (I'm actually using an IM plan to train for Racine...just taking it to week 22 where the HIM race falls in the plan).  

I am starting to think that training thru the winter for an early season destination IM would be actually easier for me and my family.  My husband wanted to do one at the same time, but he is not ready swim-wise, and so I am also trying to decide if I should wait for him or just do it on my own, and then be the support person when/if he decides to do one.  I almost want to do it separately because it is hard enough for one person to train for an IM...with two of us, it's almost impossible.  

I understand that I would have to be creative training in winter time, and heat acclimation is going to be a problem, but the fact is, I think I have more trouble staying focused in the summer here...there's so much going on and so much I don't want to miss...it's like we have to cram a year's worth of outdoor activity into 3 months, and then to pile training on top of that, ugh!  I think it would be nice to just race sprints and olys, do some bike racing and enjoy summer instead of stressing about monster bike rides and long runs, etc.

Anyway, I am really kind of spinning my wheels.  Still kind of can't decide.  I am hoping Racine helps me figure it out and IMTX isn't sold out by then.

No IM plans next year.  I think the only way I do an IM in the next 2 years is if my training group decides to do one.  Other than that, I don't really feel the need to just yet.  I'm still feel like I'm very new to the sport, and I'm still seeing lots of progress in shorter races.  So I guess you could say I'm still enjoying picking off the "low hanging fruit".

x2 what Jason said except I don't realistically think I will ever do an IM.

I know I said that about a HIM but REALLY - I mean it .

Those are common problems to have during a taper...everyone thinks they need to do more, have not done enough...trust me I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night

So what do you all tell yourselves when the going gets tough? Weather forecast is calling for 93 degrees, no shade on the run. I think this might get ugly.

Any last minute words of wisdom for a first timer at this distance?

I don't have any experience doing HIM or IM in hot conditions.  However, I do have running race experience in extreme heat.  I think the universal truth for all endurance events is to SLOW down.  Obviously easier said than done, especially early in the race when everything feels good.  If you are like me and not quite sure of your bike pace in good conditions in HIM, then that definitely makes things even tougher.  I think as first timers we need to go by feel and make it feel easy early on in the bike.  That may be accepting a pace that we are unhappy with, but it will pay off in the end. 

Other things I have found helpful in the heat are salt tablets especially if you are a salty sweater like me.  In addition, the salt also helps with bloating/stomach issues you may have from increased liquid intake.  I will be in the same boat as you when I do Racine HIM next month because there is a good chance it will be very hot.  I'm going to keep a close eye on my HR & RPE and try to keep things under control to the best of my ability.  If it's ridiculously hot, I will be okay with throwing out all my time goals and simply be happy with finishing.

Good luck to you this weekend.  What's your BIB so we can monitor?