General Discussion Triathlon Talk » First Half Iron Man Rss Feed  
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2008-09-22 1:57 PM

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New user
21

Palm Bay FL
Subject: First Half Iron Man

Im about to do my 5th Tri in a few weeks. Doing Health First in Melbourne FL.

I am setting my sights on my first Half Marathon May in Orlando http://www.floridahalfironman.com/

Im a pretty big guy 245lbs. (used to be 300) so I will probably stride the 13 miles rather then run. I kill myself to run a 10.5 min mile and I can walk at 11.5 without shin splints for sore knees.

I'm planning to use the beginner half Iron man 20 week program here on the site. Any advise for a first timer?



2008-09-22 2:10 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Champion
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Menomonee Falls, WI
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Follow your plan.

Build your base. When you think you're there, keep building.

Listen to your body. Pull back when you need to.

Don't underestimate the value of nutrition-- in your training and on race day.


2008-09-22 7:01 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Master
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Boynton Beach, FL
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Good plan to get you from start to finish. I have 7 weeks left on the paln now, but found I really needed to bump up a few of the distances and times in order to feel confident I would be semi-competitive as well. Other feedback I have heard is the same. I showed plan to a few coaches (granted they may have anther agenda), but they all said it was too light to do anything more than get you across the finish line. I guess it just depends on your personal goals/expectations... I will know more after 1st 1/2 Iron come November.

Good luck in your race and congrats on weight loss, impressive.
2008-09-23 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1688640

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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
The HIM plan here looked a bit lite to me also, so I used a different plan that had some longer distances in it. I am able to get in 10 to 15 hours a week, so I took advantage of that time. First HIM on Sunday, we see how it worked.

With the BT HIM plan I would anticipate you would cross the finish line in about 8 hours depending on your God given speed etc.
2008-09-23 12:23 PM
in reply to: #1690527

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New user
21

Palm Bay FL
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Thanks Everyone. God gave me a lot of guts but not much speed. As long as I finish Im ok with that
2008-09-23 8:20 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Congratulations on making a commitment! Good luck in your training.


2008-09-23 8:42 PM
in reply to: #1690808

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Fishers, IN
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
When it comes to running, every 10lbs of fat you carry is equivalent to 20seconds per mile.  You are heading in the right direction but don't count yourself out yet.  I don't know if you are at your goal weight yet but you have already taken approximately 2 minutes per mile just by losing the weight you have so far.  I took off 76 lbs over the last eight years (mostly by running).  The times dropped accordingly. 
2008-09-23 8:57 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Regular
102
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Auckland, New Zealand
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Wow...don't all tell me that the beginner HIM plan is light! I am 8 weeks into it and thought I was progressing well. I want to finish under 6 hours...and now I hear I will struggle for 8 hours? Doh! Back to the drawing board.
2008-09-23 9:56 PM
in reply to: #1692028

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Master
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Boynton Beach, FL
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
8 might be a bit high, but unless you are feeling good with pace times, under 6 on this plan is tough. My goal is 5:30:00 and the HIM plan was not making me confident to hit that goal. Big variances here though. I am sure someone with good fitness level prior to plan and followed it perfectly could get to your goal. Couldn't tell from your logs, but if you can average 20mph on the bike, don't sink like a rock on the swim and run close to 9:00 mile pace, you will be close...

Good Luck...
2008-09-24 12:26 AM
in reply to: #1692162

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Regular
102
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Auckland, New Zealand
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Yeah, sorry, I dont fill out the logs on here. I just dont understand them to do it.
2008-09-24 9:40 AM
in reply to: #1688640

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Expert
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Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
I used the same plan and completed my first HIM this summer. I extended some of the long workouts, especially during the last month before taper. I'd reccomend switching from the perscribed time to getting between 50-60 miles in on the bike rides. I did about 4 rides of 50+ in that last month and it made as huge difference in the confidence level and the race.

Florida is a great race from what I've heard, I would go do it this year but the Army has said otherwise. Stick to your plan, train hard and you're be fine. Good luck!!


2008-09-24 1:02 PM
in reply to: #1690808

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Champion
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Lost in the Luminiferous Aether
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man

Badger99 - 2008-09-23 1:23 PM Thanks Everyone. God gave me a lot of guts but not much speed. As long as I finish Im ok with that

You and me both on the not much speed.  You and I can be slow together as I will be doing the race as well.

2008-09-24 2:07 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Elite
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Evergreen, CO
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
I downloaded that plan, but can't say I followed it that well since I took most of July off for vacation and home improvement.  My HIM was in Sept and I was satisfied w/ 6:06 (my swim is REALLY slow).  Had only run 2x/week because of knee and hip issues.  You'll be fine if you follow the plan.
2008-09-24 2:24 PM
in reply to: #1690808

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Veteran
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Golden, CO
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Looking at your logs Badger, your yearly Totals look similar to my last month before Kansas 70.3. I am a big guy as well and was looking at a 7 hour HIM before the lightening struck and ruined 6 months of work halfway through my run. But that should give you an idea of what kind of work you will need to put in.
2008-09-24 4:48 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Regular
102
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Auckland, New Zealand
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
Appreciate all these comments, and just got some advice on using the logs via a PM - cheers for that. I'll give it a go.

Without wanting to hijack the OP, in the absence of my logs here is a bit about my current speed and fitness level:
SWIM: I swim at about 1min 50 for 100m (did some 2.8km races in flat water last year at about 57minutes).
BIKE: Nothing to judge it on really, other than my average speed over 2 hour rides varies between 25-28km/hr, over rolling hills etc. Similar to the planned HIM course.
RUN: I run at about 6 min/km, that's apce I can keep up for 60 to 90 minutes currently with my HR at 144-150 beats per min.

I'm in my second year of training and recovery from being a former fat man glued to couch (down from 127kg to 108kg - aiming for 100kg by race day December 13th). Note to self: stop eating Quarter Pounders.

I think I will take the advice from posters above and look to increase my distances in the last month before taper...but as long as I finish, I too will be happy! It will show my kids what determination can do!
2008-09-24 6:38 PM
in reply to: #1688640

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Regular
102
100
Auckland, New Zealand
Subject: RE: First Half Iron Man
...further to that people, I have now figured out the logs and update them for the last few weeks! I FEEL GOOD! (sings and dances to conseternation of girls in the Interior Design Company downstairs...)

Also I emailed Scott Herrick, author of the HIM plan on this site and he is gave me some advice on my training - and essentially his feedback on the plan is that most people who have followed it have finished between 4:40 (!) and 6:30. Bring it on!


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