Marathon before an IM

Pam- I plan on doing IMOO in 2010...2008 training did not go as well as planned, so I am waiting one more year to build more volume.  That being said, I had the same marathon pre-IM question.

I did the Chicago Marathon this past fall so I would know how one would feel during the IM. The last 6 miles, I just kept on saying "no matter how bad I feel now, it will feel 10x worse during the IM, so just keep going".

My body also needed 1 month of no running post marathon to recover....

My vote--- albeit from someone who has yet to do a IM---is to stick to your gameplan of HM, HIM, then bear down during IMOO. (I wish I would have just signed up for the IM)

Finally--I'll be sure to wave and cheer loud at IMOO for you...I am volunteering at the Cross Plaines bike station again.

Lynn

Thanks Lynn,

I am not exactly sure where that bike station is but when I do find out I will be looking out for any friendly faces I can see!

Thank you for volunteering!  And good luck with your future IM! 

1). Slow is relative.  You didn't post your running times which would help a little.

2). Have you ever trained with an HR monitor before?  Do you have one?  It's a VERY helpful tool.

3). Do you have a training plan to help you?

4). Had a footstrike analysis done to assist with proper running shoes?  Check out Endurance House out of Middleton.

5). You don't HAVE to do the Mary before an Ironman, some people haven't, and did okay (not necessarily recommending nor deterring, just informing).

5). What's more important is having fun for your first IM, don't overtrain, but put the time in so you can survive and enjoy the day!

6). The IM Moo (IM WI) official thread is here - http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=140830&posts=82#M1885807  -
if you have questions specifically about that race, but not specific to training (just an F.Y.I.)

I will be doing IM Moo this year (my 2nd).  There's a BIG group of us from a group called the Tri Donkai doing it (most of the members are near the Milwaukee area).  BT member Jszat started it.

Good luck.

To answer a few questions... first... my training plan that I am planning on using is the 36 week trifuel plan.  Here is the site. http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/

I am using it because I believe it will suit my needs best.  It does use HR training and I will be using one during training.

I am more concerned about the running than the biking.  I have made some upgrades bikewise that are making me stronger and more efficient biker.   I am also planning on adding a few bike rides/races into my schedule.

As for the running, I have battled some IT band issues in the past (I have successfully handled them for over a year).  My "easy, I could run for a very long time pace" tends to be around 10:20 min/miles for 3 to 5 miles.  During the HIM race, my pace was 14:42 min/miles.  The pace was much closer to 11:00 for the first 8 and went down hill from there.  I did not put in enough time on the roads before that race. 

Thank you again for all the help and please let me know if there are any more questions! 

^^^ what Jonathan said is spot on

I am similar to you pace wise from looking at your HIM but you are a faster swimmer, I may slightly faster cyclist, and running is hard for us. Based on your HIM time the swim and bike cut offs seem you'll make it no problem.

Don't do a Mary in May it will take 4 weeks out of prime training time for your first IM with a taper and recovery from Mary. Plus why peak your running at 26.2 miles 4 months from your IM? It would have been something else if you did a Mary in late '08.

My suggestion is to work on improving your run resiliency. My goal this year for my IM is to do more running. I'm up to running about 17-19 miles a week now and gradually building that up.

Enjoy your IM journey, I spent way to much time worrying and wondering if I could do it. Put the training in, be wise in your training and have fun.

What they said ^^^^^^^

Haven't done a mary, but I did a couple 20 milers in prep for my IM.  As Jonathan said, the IM mary and a stand alone mary are two very different things.  In my experience only, the 20 milers didn't give me any insight into what it's like to be on mile 12 of an IM mary after 9 hours of racing........

And to reiterate.   For BOP runners like me, the IM mary is a series of 26 1 mile runs. 

mndiver - 2009-01-04 8:21 PM You really HAVE to focus on the bike. I know you are afraid of the run, so was I. But if you don't make the cut-off on the bike the running issue is moot. If you can have a decent bike and come off feeling decent you can walk every step of the 26.2 miles and still call yourself an Ironman. I would NOT do a marathon in May. You will lose way too much training time due to recovery. Just come down to New Prage in May abd do the half marathon with me

Haha... why don't you come over to Green Bay and do Cellcom with me?  Thanks for the advice.

Actually thanks to everyone.  The decision looks pretty clear now. 

For me it's a question of "need" versus "want".  Do you really want to do the marathon, or are you just wondering if doing the marathon will help you come IM day?

There is no reason you need to do a full marathon before your IM.

But, if the marathon is something you really want to do, I say, do it.  One benefit that will come of it is it will force you to focus on run training early in the season, when the weather is fine for lots of running, but not so great for outdoor riding.  There is plenty of time to recover in the latter part of May before your training really starts to dial up for the IM.  It's not an ideal plan from an IM purist point of view, but it's definitely a workable plan.

If you're thinking of doing the marathon just because you think it will help you in your IM, then don't do it.  Trust your IM training plan.  It will get you there.

Everyone else has already answered in depth.  I'll just be simple about it ........

NO.

Don't do it.  Follow your plan, enjoy the journey and pace well on the bike or you will not even be running the marathon portion in the first place - you'll be walking it.

What's more important to you, the mary or the IM?

My first marathon was the IM run. I did a 4:24 which I think is very respectable. I love to run though and I'm sure my stand alone time would have been much faster. The reason I know this is because I am a lousy cyclist and it took a lot out of me, even as slow as I went (7:00 even.) Ride, ride more and then ride again and the run will take care of itself.