Beginner 1/2 Ironman Plan Group (Page 55)

Great swim.  I would love to get even close to that kind of pace.  My goal right now is to get down to 17:30 for a 1000m.

10 days to go....yikes!

Question: Due to the CRAZY wind when I was in Vegas last weekend, I didn't get the 3hr bike workout in.  Should I do it this week?  I am so worried about not getting it in because at this point the longest bike I have done is around 48 miles.  I have heard that the bike course for the California HIM is tough.

I would try to get it in just based on my own experience. Just leave enough days to fully recover before your race. When I did the 1/2 IM aqua/bike last year my longest ride ever was 50 miles. I thought eh- close enough. I was out of water on that ride, by myself, and the route I'd chosen just came up those few miles short so I went  home.

In the race my legs went completely dead at mile 52. I remember being at mile 45 and thinking how great it was, I was going to make it with no problems. Then we turned into a slight headwind for the last 5 mile stretch. Ugh, 5 miles has never been so long. My sit bones ached causing a lot of discomfort and fatigue. I could barely pedal. I was so totally happy that I did not sign up to run because I could barely walk when I got off that bike! Now, I'm sure I probably did not pace myself well since I knew I was not going to run BUT since I had never completed that distance I really did not know how to pace it either.

Like I said, just my opinion from my experience.

I knew the plan was working for me, but in Week 12 ( the SWIM Week from hell), I am almost shocked at the results I am seeing in the pool.  Pre-plan, I did a 1000 yd TT in 20 minutes, which I was pretty happy with since I view myself as a very average swimmer.  In the last week, I did that same TT at 17:03 and today held that exact same pace (1:42/100) for 1750 yards - which I completed in 30:03 and felt strong throughout.  I've benefited as much from the endurance/speed work as I have on just keeping my form together.  I guess it pays to work smarter and not always harder.

I started with the week 12 and it is kicking my butt in the pool.  I wish I had started using this plan sooner.  The 1750m took me 38:00.

Great job with your swims! I start the swim focus week next week. Can't wait! Just wish I lived closer to the pool.

Doing my first swim with a wetsuit tomorrow, trying for a 1 hour OWS in the same water that my tri is in in 3 weeks.  Then on Sunday am riding the 56mi course of the HIM.  

Akrenik- I don't know the answer to your question but assume that unless at a very high RPE it wont kill you.  Amazing how close this is getting, you're gonna be great!

I'm 3 weeks away.  If I'm not ready now, there's no getting ready by then! 

Is your HIM on the 16th?  Mine's on that day and I'm quite anxious.  Both of us should aim to break 6 hours or faster!

Sounds like music to my ears., although my HIM is on rolling hills and on gravel run...  I guess its time to HTFU!!!! 

You're quite the inspiration around here pops!

Ugh! Hills and gravel - that sounds awful. Good luck to everyone. I'm getting excited for you! It is reminding how much work I still have left though

Mine is on the 17th.  What's the name of yours?  I would love to break 6 hours...PS you're the man pops! 

Tell me about it...  That's why I'm gonna do mostly hills this coming two weeks to get ready for the gravel and I'm always pushing my threshold on the bike trainer.  KEEP ON WORKING!  You're gonna be alright though.  You're already a fish and that's a big advantage.

Mine's on the 16th.  It's Rage in the Sage in Lake Mead in Las Vegas.  I think 6 hours is remotely possible.  I'm just talking from my personal experience but if I base it out of the international distance that I did not too long ago I think it might be possible.  On that race, the swim was 1200m and I did it in 30mins so 400m more shouldn't be more than 40mins.  I had to stop 5 times on that one too since I couldn't sight hehehe...  I did the 24mi bike in 1hr 8mins so 56 should be about 3hours. I did the 6mi run in 48 mins so 13.1 should be about 2 hours.  If my math is right that's about 5 hours 40 mins plus 10 mins of transition so about 5 hours 50 mins.  So yeah I think its doable.  I also just got my tri bike so hopefully I'm 3mph faster like what I read hahaha!

I think for a moderately fit individual with a good base on the 3 disciplines, the plan let's us finish in 6 hours maybe a little bit faster.

I'm pulling hard for you, but you may want to double check your math.  Assuming the HIM is a 1.2 mile swim, here's the metric conversion - 1.2 mi. = 1931.212 m (not 1600M).  Even with the extra 300M, you should be pretty darn close!  Best of luck.

Looks cool, but yes your math is not right! 1600M is just one mile.  I think about 6 hours is where I'm aiming for and hoping to end up.  I'm hoping to get out of the water in 37-40 mins, about a 3 hour bike ride, and about 1:50-1:55 on the run (this is going of my HM last month at 1:41).  

So, everything going perfectly, I could hit something like 5:30.  Since I'm not expecting everything to go perfectly, and my bricks arent great, I'd be thrilled with 6.  To be honest I was trying to avoid playing this game entirely...i can't believe I just gave in.  I started this just wanting to finish, and I think I'm the same way now.

That's why I;m not engineer... No wonder   I guess 6 hours is pushing it.  I would actually be happy with 6:15 but who am I kidding.  I'd be ecstatic if I finish in under 6 hours.  I think I'm capable of under 6 hours.  But then again I don't want to blow up on the run.  Let's all wait and see on our HIMs. 

@DV1: That's quite a long lay off.  Good luck getting back in the saddle.

I am expecting some very thorough race reports when you all are finished!