Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas 2012 : Official Thread (Page 7)

Just looked at the website and they have an updated participants list as of Sept 9. Using some very rough math of about 40 names per sheet and 55 full pages + a few on page 56, I think we are around 2250 people signed up right now. I maybe off a little in my calculation but that number surprised me a bit being that close to a sell out.

Shermbelle - 2011-09-27 8:27 AM I know we are still over 7 and a half months out but has anyone picked a training plan they will use or when they plan on starting it? I am very much still undecided on what my training will look like this winter and other races I will throw in.

Right now I'm loosely using one of the BT custom IM plans for my winter maintenance while substituting with more runs in prep for an early December marathon.  I'm also sub'ing in Jorge's winter program during the weekly bikes.  When I say loosely, I mean I'm using it more as a guide.

We'll be moving back to the U.S. in January so I'll have a good base to move right into a new BT custom IM plan as soon as I'm done eating all the crap I haven't had in a while   Planned start date is second week in January, of course the cold is gonna be a real shock to my system, winter in Japan is nothing.

I'm in. I think I am crazy. Just finished my first half last Sunday, August 70.3, and loved every minute of it. Every minute I tell you.  I was looking at New Orleans 70.3, then Texas half.  I stayed clear of the fulls in my mind due to the long training.  I then noticed almost all the plans had 14 hour weeks.  I did 14 hours a lot of weeks for the half.  I'm 34 headed to 35 before the race, so I grabbed a credit card and signed up for the full.

I'm kinda nervous already.  Only have a marathon in December left on my schedule so I have nothing to hinder my progress.  Wish me luck.  I hope to get to know you guys a lot more over the upcoming months.

WELCOME to the crew!! If you loved every minute of the half, I'd say you're ready to take on the full!! Enjoy the recovery and marathon and then we'll all have a grand time growing together!

Hey, welcome to the party. As a first timer ask all the questions you have. Don't be afraid of asking a "Dumb" question. Usually spawns good discussion and helps more people in the end.

Going on a limb that you might be running the St Judes Marathon seeing your from Memphis? Was looking at that one myself.

You would be correct about the St. Jude Marathon.  It sold out pretty quick this year.

No questions for now.  I have some time for the reality of my stupidity to sink in before I get to that point.  Looking at training plans.  I think I might just do a BT gold plan.  I've looked at the numbers it's spitting out and they seem to make sense.  I'm not too concerned about doing speed work for the swim or run.  I would like to gain a MPH on the bike though.  Thinking about doing Jorge's to help with the bike.

Thanks for all the welcome messages.  I'm sure the training will be way worse than the race.

Shermbelle - 2011-09-27 7:27 AM I know we are still over 7 and a half months out but has anyone picked a training plan they will use or when they plan on starting it? I am very much still undecided on what my training will look like this winter and other races I will throw in.

I'm using the IronGuides 20-week program with some modifications.  I used it "loosely" for another race with great results, so following it a little closer should be good.  Modifications to my plan and winter training for the bike is mostly going to be Computrainer based.

Ironman70.3 San Juan is my planned tune up race for IMTX

Computrainer would be great but I'm in a situation where the trainer would cost the same as my bike if I bought one. That's not to say I haven't looked at them all day.  If they had the Texas real course I would perhaps have to pull the trigger.

Shermbelle - 2011-09-26 6:27 PM I know we are still over 7 and a half months out but has anyone picked a training plan they will use or when they plan on starting it? I am very much still undecided on what my training will look like this winter and other races I will throw in.

I am starting my training for the Woodlands marathon (march 3rd) this fall winter.  I am training with my wife so the long miles will be much slower than normal wich I think will save my legs a little, but I will be training for speed during this time.  I plan on starting Jorges winter plan, but just riding 5-6 hours a week will make me happy.  I am off much off lots in December because I am a teacher so I plan on training like a swimmer that month.  I loosely used Be iron fit competitive for IMTX (first full) last year and finished in 10:42.  Although my bike split was much better than I expected my run was slower than expected and I think it is due to missing some bike rides (and heat?).   First goal is to get under 200...

Has anyone heard any more on when it will be available? I talked to the rep in Couer d alene this year and he said in late June that it was filmed but first they were going to get there new software suite out and then we should see more courses. But he thought the software suite would be out early July.

Looking at the Real Courses page they have a list of filmed courses awaiting processing.  IMTX is not on the list.

The majority of those races have been on that list for 3+ years. Talking with them, they generally try to get the IM's out as soon as possible because they are by far their best sellers. They got St. George out right away and same with IM LOU a few years back after the first race.

FYI peeps,

Tribike Transport has their schedule up for 2012 and there is an ad in the new triathlete magazine offering a $30 discount if you book by Dec. 31. Also it will enter you into a contest for a bike, wheels, shoes, sunglasses and more but no worries on that, I plan on taking that one home

That's what they all say.  You know you have a goal.

Welcome to BT

Haha, I would say A LOT of people come up with goal "times" for the first IM.  BUT, if it was possible to solely say "finishing" is the goal, I think it's wise for those that can do so.  I know I had some ambitious ideas for my first attempt in in '09, and thankfully had a near perfect day.  But, I had totally mentally prepared myself that SUCCESS was finishing, regardless of time (well, less than 17 hours of course!).  You NEVER know what race day is going throw at you. You might surprise yourself and go much faster than you thought was even possible, or you might find that putting those 3 legs of that great a distance together in the humid Texas sun was a tad tougher than you imagined.  Expectation management is HUGE, ESPECIALLY for your first IM!  I had a near perfect race my first time out the gate. It was awesome.  My 2nd time, at IMCdA this year, I did not have anything near a prefect race.  BUT, I have learned to race with this as a motto "Give 100% of what you have on that day and race with no other expectations."  100% may result in a perfect and fast race, or it may result in overcoming massive and mysterious lower back pain and mild delirium to still push on as hard as you are able to at that moment, on that day, and cross the finish line as an Ironman (as was my CdA'11 experience) on that day.

My advice to everyone--start your mental training NOW! Part of that is expectation management!

X2

[random babbling on]

just some random things that went through my head, read on if you'd like, I was bored and the baby is asleep.

Mental training is huge.  Tx will be my 5th IM and the "mental" game has been huge.  Race #1 went near perfect no worries, race #2 wasn't bad but nutritionally a disaster and I had to refocus and re-strategize continuously (mostly while in port -o- potties), race #3 I had a blunder and mid bike had to readjust my focus and goals based on what I had left, race #4 I was 7 months out from a major injury and I spent those 7 months preparing for the Pain.  Race 4 wasn't my fastest but it showed me a lot about myself.  Be a boy/girl scout and be prepared for anything that might come your way.

Expectation management, good one, I know I'm not going to Kona, not a shot.  I'm still setting lofty expectations for Texas.  In order to hit my goals I'm already training to better myself.  Gone is the long luxurious eating ...offseason, I haven't gone completely crazy but close. 

I tell my students, my kids, and myself, "Do the work and earn your results." It's not one of those races that you can fake into a great finish.

[random babbling off]

Goals Goals Goals

Yep I got plenty. First off, this will be IM #7 for me and I want to actually "train" for one of these. Sure I have done a bunch of long rides, runs and swims over the years but I have not had more than two straight weeks of solid training for any one of my 6 IM's. In fact everyone I have had at least 4 week gaps of no training at all 6 of my IM's.

So first goal is consistency.

#2 is weight loss. I am not sure where these extra 40 pounds came from or who's they are but I would like to return them.

#3 Get my run back. Sub 18 min 5k's and just over 3hr marathons were a constant for about 10 years for me, now running a sub 8 min mile sounds like a stretch.

So those are my top 3, that should keep me plenty busy for a while.