General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 1/2 Ironman in 8 months. Rss Feed  
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2008-10-13 2:48 PM

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Regular
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Denver Colorado
Subject: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

So I did my very first ever tri-sprint event on Sept. 20th of this year @ the Cresent Moon here in Colorado and I loved it! Since July of this year I have been traing for Triathlon and was thinking of now trying for the the Kansas Half Ironman in June of 2009!

Do any of you think this is possible for me to achieve or maybe just a bad idea?  Let me know your thoughts and advice on this. I am in pretty good shape and I know I'll have to change my training plan to prepare for this event but I feel like I could do this...

Does anyone have any suggestions on a training plan I should be doing to prepare for this? Let me know... Thanks!

Sean-



Edited by Triathlon Sean 2008-10-13 2:50 PM


2008-10-13 3:48 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Master
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PA
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

I did my first tri in March and just did a HIM in Sept.  Didn't follow a training plan as i didn't have time (meaning, decision to do the HIM wasn't made with enough time to train via any sort of training plan).  Lots of people follow the BT training plans.

2008-10-13 3:50 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Master
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Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

well there are certainly plans out there that will get you ready in less than 8 months...

 

I am personally doing a HIM in April...I decided to focus on my weakness (running) and kick in a balanced HIM plan after several months of run focused training and a marathon in January.

 

If your motivated for it why not go for it...lots of us hear doing the same.

 

Good luck!

 

 

2008-10-13 4:06 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

Not sure where you live but it is hard to do an early season HIM to get enough training in depending where you live. I live in MA and it is suggested doing a late season HIM is easier to train for than one in May or early June. We often have weird weather in May it can make training long tough. Back a couple years ago it rained every weekend for 4-5 weekends in a row.

You could probably do a HIM next year in a general sense but somewhat depends the background you came from. Were you an athlete in another sport is makes transitioning to tri'ing easier than if you came off the couch for last 10 years.

HIM is tough long race you need to train smart, work on nutrition/hydration so you fuel yourself well, and learn to pace. It is a wonderful distance and nice and challenging. 

Maybe consider a later one if you are not sure you can train outside April and May.

 

2008-10-13 4:20 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Expert
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

It looks like you did fairly well in your sprint race. Others have mentioned the plans on this site you can check out. It looks like maybe the swim is your weak area. Maybe you can get into a masters program and work on improvement in that area. You may not gets lots of open water training in before a June race, but if you can get in a few swims you should be OK.

Your basic fitness should make this very doable. Follow a decent plan, improve your weak areas, build your strengths, have a great race!

2008-10-13 4:24 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Champion
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Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
If I can do it you can do it. I did my first sprint in August 2007 and my first half in June 2008. And I was (and am) no where near your fitness leval. My biggest thing was preventing injury due to little experience or base training. Just tried to put the hours requested in the plans, worked out for me.


2008-10-13 4:45 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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2008-10-13 4:53 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Master
2009
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
Absolutely.  I did my first tri, a sprint, in August and am planning a HIM in May.  I think it's just a matter of having a strong base, which I do, and putting in the time consistently between now and then. 
2008-10-13 7:36 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Champion
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Calgary
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
You definitely do not need a strong base.
2008-10-13 7:42 PM
in reply to: #1740090

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Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

BigDH - 2008-10-13 5:36 PM You definitely do not need a strong base.

 

I think Darren means you don't need a base to start the plan.  You will certainly have the base by the end of it.

2008-10-13 7:45 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Elite
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

d00d, plenty of time to build a base and complete the race safely...

i started tri's this year (april) and am planning my first HIM in September 09 and don't foresee any conditioning probs

i'd say going from a sprint to a him can be done safely in 4-6 months, if you train right...

good luck!



2008-10-13 7:50 PM
in reply to: #1740100

Champion
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Calgary
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
sax - 2008-10-13 6:42 PM

BigDH - 2008-10-13 5:36 PM You definitely do not need a strong base.

 

I think Darren means you don't need a base to start the plan.  You will certainly have the base by the end of it.




Ah yes, that is what I mean. And, for some (like me), it may take 8 months or more to build a base so that you can actually start training like the plans call for. However, if you put the time in as the plans ask for, even if is just at an easy pace, I really think that quite a few people could finish the race and feel good about it.

That being said, I sense that the OP has a good base anyways, just my 2 cents on whether or not you need a strong base to start training for a HIM.
2008-10-13 8:06 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Extreme Veteran
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Charlotte,NC
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
What are your goals?
If like most people around here just to finish, you don't even need 8 months to prepare. Most of the Half Ironmans have very generous time limits to allow even the walkers to finish and feel good about themselves.
Go for it.
2008-10-13 8:58 PM
in reply to: #1739192

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Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.

 Definately go for it! You have plenty of time to get ready. I think setting goals that "at the time" are "pie in the sky" and then growing and acheiving them is a great way to grow as a person.

There are lots of great plans on the internet some on BT.  Even if you don't follow one exactly, I would keep an eye on some so that your training volume and distances grow and peak/taper at the right times.

Good luck, we'll look for the race report!

2008-10-14 12:54 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Expert
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Olney, MD
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
There's a pretty good 16 week Half Iron training plan in the latest Triathlete Mag. Definitely doable. Good luck!
2008-10-14 10:49 PM
in reply to: #1740161

Master
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Boynton Beach, FL
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
doubleplay - 2008-10-13 9:06 PM

What are your goals?
If like most people around here just to finish, you don't even need 8 months to prepare. Most of the Half Ironmans have very generous time limits to allow even the walkers to finish and feel good about themselves.
Go for it.


Best point yet... Setting the right expectations will make the difference in your training and outlook come race day.

2 cents...


2008-10-16 10:12 PM
in reply to: #1739192

Regular
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Denver Colorado
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
Thanks everyone for the GREAT advice! I'm GOING FOR IT!!!! I've selected a great plan and I feel confident I'll be more than ready come June! You guys are all so wonderful and awesome! Thanks again!
2008-10-17 10:12 AM
in reply to: #1739192

Member
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Nampa, Idaho
Subject: RE: 1/2 Ironman in 8 months.
I'm doing my first HIM in June and I have only a couple of sprints under my belt. I say go for it.

I'm working on building my base now and the end of Jan is when I will start my training plan. It should be fun!
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