Half-Ironman as your first tri (Page 2)

Paced correctly, a HIM isn't really a big deal to finish if you are somewhat in athletic shape.  I did my first HIM with about  2 weeks of preparation (but I had done 3 sprints and an Oly last year) a little over a week ago. As long as you know you're just trying to finish and take it easy on the swim and bike, you'll be fine.

I find the sprints quite a bit more painful - but I try to race sprints, and I didn't race my first HIM - just comfortably finished it. 

You'll have enough time to figure out nutrition and then learn T1/T2. You don't need to be fast, just need to figure out what you need to do.

Go for it!

Probably more like 3 hrs...., it's double an Oly for bike and run, and 400m on the swim.

Go big or go home.  My first tri WAS going to be the Mucnie 70.3 in July, bu tmy wife is making me do a local sprint here. LOL

As far as I'm concerned, I just want to finish under 7:59:59. 

Only you know what kind of fitness you possess and what you are capable of.  

I know everyone is saying that you should just race to "finish" your first one, but I really think that depends on you, and if you think you are capable of a certain finish time and have put in the training, and spend time understanding your nutrition needs then there is no reason to not "race" it.

My first triathlon ever was a HIM and I went out there to do as well as I could.  I managed a 5:01 (would've been sub 5hr if not for a mechanical on the bike).  I had a blast and although it hurt at times on the run, I really felt great.

All I'm really getting at is that you, and only you, really know what you're capable of.  So while it's good to ask for advice, and I would certainly listen to much of the advice that you receive on this board, when it comes down to what you can/should do, well that is all up to you.

Good luck and train hard.

Such great feedback. Thanks to everyone who has responded. My biggest concern is the hip. In the next couple of weeks I'm going to do a longer brick like gvey and TriAya said and make a determination from there. If it's too soon my body will tell me and I'll listen.

I'm in pretty good shape, but I know it will be a suffer-fest. I'm not fooled into thinking it's easy by any means. Part of the allure for me is that it is hard and finishing is not something that just anyone can do. 

Glad to see there are some out there who did a HIM as their first tri. That gives me hope. My masters swimming group is going to start OWS in two weeks, so at least I'll have some time in the wetsuit on the open water. Pretty excited about it.

Well, I have made the decision to go for it and have signed up. I did a longer brick of 40/8 and got through it just fine. No adverse effects, except big hunger 

As several have recommended, I am going to do a tri prior to IMKS - the Kansas City Tri, which is an OLY.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Cool. I just read the whole thread and see that after some thought and some training you have decided to do it. With your fitness and personality it could be a good match.

My concern is your hip. (A little background: I am a poor runner.) At the end of all this you'll be far more tired than when you successfully ran your half-marathon. Don't let yourself slip into poor form and cause any damage. You are probably already keeping that in mind, I know.

That, and get the OWS practice you are planning on. 

Good luck!

Just wanted to follow up on this thread since I got such good advice. I completed the HIM (IMKS) on Sunday with no ill effects on my hip. My quads and calves are absolutely killing me, though.

Total time was 5:58. (:59/2:52/1:57). I'm a poor swimmer anyway, but the conditions of the swim were absolutely brutal. Most said it was the choppiest swim they have ever raced in. Bike and run went fairly well, although the bike was windy. Great course and unreal fan support.

I was able to get in an Oly Tri in 3 weeks before this race and it made all the difference in the world. So glad I listened to the advice on here. Thanks again to all!

If my calves return to normal I'm going to start training for Branson HIM. I posted a race report for those willing to read a novel.

Just saw your reply...glad you decided to do it and congrats!

Edited:  Didn't realize this was a follow up.  NM!

X2

Congratulations!  You even broke the 6 hr mark!