Ironman question?

Have another beer ... you've earned it

How Sub 10 do youhave to go to be in the hunt?  I don't have a coach but it might be the way to go to get the most out of your performance

I think this is the first post I've read about IMs in any form including RR that someone was surprised by how fast they were..most are surprised the other way how slow they were to what they think or dream they would be.

What I find most interesting is you knew what you normally did in your training and compared it to your race and in ever part of your IM you were faster significantly than in your training.  Did you train on similar terrain for bike/run as the race?

Maybe you tapered really well.

Impressive and I agree with Chris above maybe with a coach you could reach your potential faster.

Kathy, I beat my goal time last year by 1:09.  It was unreal.  Like nccgrap I had faster paces than expected and felt good doing it.  I need to drop another two hours to get to Kona and given that my 11:51 last year was way faster than expected I'm not planning to attend role down next year. Or ever... 

Dropping weight and having a coach are two big ways of going faster.  Nothing wrong with an "entry level" bike.  But race wheels are said to be worth 10 minutes, and isn't an aero helmet about the same?  Sounds like you may be able to drop some serious time.  But, will it be enough?  Do you want it bad enough?
 

Obviously you haven't drank enough yet, your spelling stills seems okay

First off, congrats on a great day.

Now this is something I can totally understand where you are coming from. I can't explain it nor put a finger on how or why these things can happen. I haven't had this experience at the IM level but at HIM and at every distance in run only races I have seen this time and time again.

I remember getting tips from a coach on trying to race a faster 5k and the tempo workouts he suggested had for example 4 x 6:00 mi and I couldn't hold the pace. But then on that Sat. I would go out and run a 17:305k no problem.

At both my HIM's last year my bike splits were 21.9mph yet I never once had a ride of any distance that averaged over 20mph.

So I am with you on this one. And as far as your goals of Kona,

GO FOR IT!!!

Don't let anything stand in your way. Best of luck!

Not THAT drunk and crazy.  I have notions of the same level of success myself.  IMKY was my first and all of my predictions told me sub-12 was the downhill with the wind behind you perfect weather kind of day.  I ended up going 11:23 and that was with a fairly conservative bike 5:42 (QRoo Seduza/Zipp 808s) and a 4:20 marathon!  I ran walked it, but that was my plan to begin with as I didnt do any training runs over 18 miles. 

In order to KQ for M30-34 at IMKY I would have needed to break 10:24.  I know it always depends on race day, who shows up, if Im having an ON day, but can I shave an extra 5 minutes off my swim, yes ... can I work with a coach to improve my bike and drop another 25 mins, yes ... can I run the whole marathon, or take fewer breaks and shave 30 minutes off ... probably.  I mean its all possible.

Congrats on your time ... that was a heck of a race!

I think the biggest thing for a Kona qualifier is having the perfect day. Can you shave 5 min here, 30 there....etc.. yeah probably. Its just being able to have that day where it all comes together and works like a dream.

I'm in a similar boat with you.  I was unbelievably surprised at IMOO this year too, beating my Ironman PR by over one hour and that previous PR was on a flatter course and I just did another Ironman 156 hours prior to IMOO.  There must have been something in the water.  (ha ha ha)  

I would definately continue to train consistently and see where it takes you.  I might suggest to not set your sights on "kona" but rather set your sights on surprising yourself once again and kona could be icing on the cake (less pressure on yourself usually ends up allowing for better performance).

Understand that for most people going from 12:45 to 11:00 is less difficult than going from 11:00 to 9:45.

First of all congrat's on your perfromance  well done I did a 11:33 at 2008 Moo in my first IM and my second season in the sport like you I was thinking I am not a million miles from  a Kona slot.

At this years MOO race if I had of a cut my tranistions from 16mins to 10 mins. Not got stung by a bee and known how to race a marathon and the IM swim on the same fitness I could have been around 11:10.

So here is the rub in My AG M35-39 last year 2007 last Kona Slot went to 10:13hrs. In 2008 in the same weather conditions last mens 35-39 slot went 9:53hrs.  

It seems every year the qualification std gets harder. I have resigned myself to the fact I will never qualify for Kona which is I guess the way it should be it is the olympics of our sports. 9 slots out of 340 people in my AG That is the top 3%.

My advice is enjoy the sport lose the weight and take it easy!!! 

x2.

well said.

i would have never survived in this sport for 12 years if I put a ton of pressure on myself and my opinion is shooting for kona is a lot of pressure.  FWIW