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2008-10-08 4:32 PM

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Subject: New to Triathlon

Hey guys,

I'm training very hard for next summer. I want to do a few oly and sprint races early on the next season to be ready for my "A" race, in september 09. It will be my first year as a triathlete and I'm wondering whas I should do : HIM or IM. 

My goal is to do an IM, if it's not next year I'll do it in two years. But, is it too early to try an IM being so inexperienced. 

I'm only 19 and have lots of time to train, I just wanted to have BT's opinions.

Thanks.



2008-10-08 5:30 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Elite
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Subject: RE: New to Triathlon
Part of it depends on your biking, running and swimming fitness. The vast majority of new folks to triathlons take a minimum of 2 years to train for an Full Ironman. Can it be done in 1 year? Yes by some. It partially depends on how much time you have to train and how fast your body responds to the increased workload. For an Ironman preparation you can expect to be biking 60 to 125 miles per week, running 25 to 35 miles per week and swimming 3 to 5 miles per week. (less in the beginning more as you get closer to your main event). Your total time commitment for getting to a full IM would probably be in the neighborhood of 15 hours a week or so.

You are young so you can probably bounce back quickly. I went from no bike, swim or run background to Half IM in 1 year. That is what most folks can expect to do if they are dedicated, injury free, not more than 50 pounds over their ideal weight and can workout 10 hours or more a week. I may be able to get to a full IM by the end of next year, but that means no injuries and straight build for two straight years. I am also 41 years old, so less bounce back. I tend to workout 10 to 15 hours per week.

There are many more knowledgable folks than myself here. If I were you I would start a plan do a sprint, build to an oly and complete a HIM before setting a solid timeline for a full IM.

Also, if it is a IRONMAN (R) you may need to vollenteer at one this year (IMAZ) for next year or next year to get into one for the following year. Other non (R) ironman competitions can be easier to get into, but something to keep in the back of your mind if you are going to fast track things.

Anyway, I am sure you will get a lot of good feedback here.
2008-10-08 5:55 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: New to Triathlon

Depends on your conditioning and your time, and dedication.

An I'm can be done in two years (I hope!).  My first season was entirely Oly length races except for my last one, which was an HIM (11 months after I started training).

The next season, I started with an HIM, but signed up for a IM this fall.  If I complete it, I will have a IM under my belt 23 months after starting my training.

There is nothing special about that, there are MANY people that have done it.  It rare to do one in one year.  I'm sure they are out there, but I haven't heard from any.

I would plan for an HIM at the mid to end of your first season, and see how it goes.  Then you could do an IM early the second season and do it in about 18 months.

Be warned, it's hard to find an IM race that's not sold out at least a year in advance.  So the earliest race you most likely can get into is in 1010 anyway since most of the 2009 M-Dot races are sold out.

2008-10-08 9:25 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Subject: RE: New to Triathlon

I live in Québec, Canada, it is harder for me to find an ironman close to where I live. I'll need to plan a trip to Lake Placid for my first Ironman, which mean it will need to be in 2010. You guys  said pretty much what I was thinking of doing at first, HIM in 09 and IM the year after. It will allow me to learn and be in the best shape possible.

I'll stay around, BT is a great place to learn and get the motivation we all need.

Thanks again. 

 

 

 

2008-10-09 2:30 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Subject: RE: New to Triathlon

Let's talk a littel bit about my training. I plan of doing the montreal's HIM in september 09. I have 11 months left and am in a good shape right now. No weight to lose, but want to go under 10% of fat. I'm currently doing 4hours of strenght and 6hours of aerobie per week until january. January up to may I'll focus on aerobie for about 8-10 hours per week and than it will be the beginning of my HIM training (10-15hours) with some "B" and "C" races of oly and sprint.

How does that sound? 

PS : There's no race between november/march because of the winter. 



Edited by EleK 2008-10-09 2:31 PM
2008-10-09 3:27 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: New to Triathlon
I can't weight train, bike 100 miles a week, run 25-30 miles a week and swim 3-5 miles a week and work and see my family at all 8). So I dropped the weight training. You don't really need non-race relavent muscle development much so shrug. If I find that I have too much energy lol I just run a little faster/farther.

Are you following a tri plan? Sounds like your time commitment is about right for your goals. It would be great to be able to see your workouts on the web here, get a better idea of where you are at currently.


2008-10-09 9:38 PM
in reply to: #1728462

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Subject: RE: New to Triathlon

Basically, my plan is :

September 15 to December 15 - Building stenght and beginning of my aerobie. [4H strength/4-6H aerobie.]

December 16 to january 4 - First transition : Strenght still but more aerobie. [4H stength/6-8H aerobie.]

January 4 to May 13 - 2nd transition : Less strength and much more aerobie. [2H strength/8-10H aerobie]

May 14 to September 13 - HIM training plan from BT + 2H of stenght and some "B"/"C" races. [2H strength/10-14H aerobie]

September 13 : HIM Montreal.

Summer 2010 : IM Lake Placid.

That's my plan! 

I want to do strength because it is important for me to keep an overall fitness and it is known to be good for every athlete. 

Thanks. 

 

 



Edited by EleK 2008-10-09 9:40 PM
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