First Iron-Looking for Advice

CAN you do it?  Absolutely.  Do you WANT to do it?  Only you know the answer to this question.

I think nearly everyone is at least a tad apprehensive when signing up for a new distance. 

You probably could go back a couple of years on this forum and spend hours reading about others experiences.

I think everyone is nervous and unsure when they sign up. Can I do it? Can I do the training? How can I fit it all in? Will it effect my relationships?

For me it was a scary thing and encompassed much of my mind time for a year and plenty of training time as well. I stopped working so I could train and still around for the kids before and after school. I didn't really like working anyhow...not much of a sacrifice for me.

It was a huge growth experience is so many ways. I loved the training mostly until about 6-8 weeks out and then I was just ready to be done. But I signed up for another one this year and love the training and feeling more comfortable with what I know will be coming and confident I can handle it.

I find sport teaches us a lot about ourselves if we let it.

Check to see if you feel the training will fit into your life, those who are close to you are supportive and check your heart, you'll know when it is right. For me I made lists of pros/cons of different races and overthought it to death. Finally it was knowing how easily my ability to s/b/r could be taken away from me as I was in a bad bike crash I knew the time was now be bold and sign up..and I did 5-6 days laters.

Thank you all for sharing--and you've helped! Joe h, The Chesapeakman is actually the race I picked as well--I've just not pushed that button to pay the entrance fee yet.  I know I have support for the training from my family and my wonderful boyfriend, and I'll be able to make the training time for it with some sacrifices.  Thanks again for the insight--reading your posts has made me feel more comfortable about the nerves, and I think perhpas I'll have to go sign up today for the race!

Hope to see you there Joe!

-Nicole

Go for it and sign up..huge step!

finishing up week 4 of BT training plan for my first IM--Lake Placid.  It's certainly doable but challenging.  The workouts have been fine up to this point but next week starts some serious hours.  The reason I signed up is that I met someone who did IMLP as their 1st tri ever!  No sprints, olympics, etc.  So I figured if he could do it so could I.  I just try and remind myself that its fun and not get too stressed out if I miss I workout (missed 2 short bike rides in 4 weeks so far).   Life happens. Im not very fast but I love it anyway.  Plus I get to eat like a horse which helps!!

Congrats on pulling the trigger. 

Most IM training plans are 18-26 weeks and assume you have enough base to start with 45-60 minute swims, 2-3 hour rides, and 60-90 minute runs.  They also assume you'll have 10 or more hours per week to devote to training. 

If neither of these describes your situation, you need to re-order some things to make the experience a success.  Otherwise, happy training! 

I'm <10 weeks away from IMCdA and so far have really enjoyed the training. 

Well said!