Sprint to Ironman in 1 year? (Page 2)

I think you guys are confusing correlation with causation. My experience with message boards (which pre-dates the internet) is that most people join, are active for a while and then fall off. This is also true of people who pursue hobbies. It doesn't matter what the subject matter is or who does and doesn't do an IM. It's the nature of the beast. People lose interesting over time. In everything.

I know a lot of people who did an IM either as their first tri or within 18 months of doing their first tri. Some of them are sorry, many are not. Some have dropped out of triathlon but some of those are doing other endurance sports. Some never intended it to be more than a bucket list thing. Some decided afterwards that it was too much of a time commitment to train for one even though they went into it thinking they'd do them for a long time.

These discussions are reminding me of discussions on parenting boards about how far apart to space your kids. Everyone vigorously defends their ideal spacing as "the best" but the reality is, there is no best spacing. It's the same with racing. There is no idea pace for when to progress up the distances. It's going to depend on the individual -- where they are starting from, how much time they have to train, how much they enjoy the training, how much they enjoy the various distances, how fast they progress, etc. There is no one-size-fits-all model for when is the best time to do an IM.

IMO there is only one rule for deciding if you want to do one: you have to really want to do it because the training is a commitment. If you really want it and you have a reasonable expectation that you can build up to the distances in the time allotted and finish before the cutoffs, then I say: Go for it!

Wow!! A lot of great comments/feedback here!  Thanks to everyone that replied with their .02.  I have made my decision and am sticking to it.  Although I really want to be part of the 1st NYC Ironman, I decided that I would be missing out on what I am really enjoying about the endurance genre of sports, that build up to accomplishments.  I want to take my time and compete in a few half marathons, marathons, open water swims etc. IN ADDITION to all the different levels of multisport events (Olymps, 70.3s).

I know myself, and I do know it's "possible" as I love training and seem to pick things up easily but I would hate and have a big regret if my rushing to do this specific Ironman event put a bad taste in my mouth for the sport.

Looks like I will be shooting for 2014 at this point, and will just plan on Volunteering at NYC Ironman for 2012, 2013!

Once again thanks to everyone who replied, I appreciate the different opinions and the support that you guys provided!!

Which is why I said "This is also true of people who pursue hobbies." Most people don't turn into "lifers" no matter what the hobby is.

I was specifically responding to a few posters who were definitely in the minority. I guess I should have been clearer on that. Sorry.

But some people know themselves and what is right for them. Do you really think Chrissie Wellington should have spent a few years mastering Sprints and Olys before moving up to 70.3 and IM? Not to mention, if we do the shorter races as prep races, we are doing them. So it's not like we don't know what they are like.

I really don't have any issue with people who want to make a steady progression from Sprints up through to IMs or who only want to do short course for their entire career. But I also have no issue with people who only want to do long course or who want to jump in with a longer distance for their first race. We are doing this for fun, not as a job, so we need to do what floats our personal boats.

Ironically, when I first started, I declared I would NEVER do an IM as that was just crazy. But somewhere along the way I realized that 70.3 and above were "my" distances and I figured it out pretty fast. Sprints can be fun too. I enjoy going balls-to-the-walls for an hour and then being done. But I don't have to train very much to do that. OTOH, I just love training for one IM a year and doing as many HIMs as I can fit in around it.

The OP should do what makes sense to them. (And is sounds like they are.) I just think there are lots of paths that make sense so I object to advice that says "I regretted it so you shouldn't do it" or "it's always better to wait".

I'll chime in, what the hell.  Did my first sprint in 2005.  Did the typical sprints first year, sprints + Oly second year, add in 2 HIMs next year, then HIMs and IM 4th year in 2008.  Honestly, if I hadn't gotten sick in 2009, and had to dial my training and expectations way back, not sure where I would have gone.

Started back last year with a couple swim events and a sprint.  This year took on the HIM again, but then limited it to sprints, swims, aquathons.  All sorts of different races that I sort of lost focus on as I concentrated solely on the IM distance.  Will I ever do an IM again?  Maybe, but I am sure having fun just being able to train and do a few races. 

I have come to believe that if I hadn't gotten sick I might have been out of the sport. Dialing it back, getting a fresh perspective and being able to enjoy the shorter distances has been great for me.

IM is a very serious and considerable obligation to undertake.  It's a great feeling to finish one, but honestly I enjoy the shorter training more.

All that is to say sure, you can probably do it no problem.  Looking back, I am glad I didn't do it that way, I have really enjoyed the journey of self discovery (OK, that's just starting to sound a little woo woo and weird) of training up various distances.  But each of us is different and have different goals and demands. You just need to find out what yours truly are.

Or mine either. 

This is going to be one of those posts that is 100% opinion-based.

I went from Sprint to IM in one year.  I could barely make the swim and had to walk most of the 5K in the Sprint - but was able to get a respectable time in the swim for the IM (though had to walk more than planned).  If I had more of a running background I would have done great, and all injury free.  Just train smart and listen to your body.  I've also spoken to quite a few IM first-timers, one of whom finished IMLP in just over 11 hours.  Injury free.  It is absolutely possible.  While I agree that ramping up too much too fast may put you prone to injury, there are SOOOO many variables involved that it is impossible to gather without knowing your fitness background, health, and capacity for training.  If it is in the budget a good coach would be your best bet to tailor a plan to get you there safely and well prepared.

Make up your own mind on this rather than ask others what you should and shoudn't do.  I think sometimes listening to other people is what holds us back in life.  If you think you can do it, YES.  Have any doubts?  Build to it.

And I don't believe AT ALL that ramping up too fast and striving for that IM is what causes burnout in the sport.  You can't correlate forum participation with race participation.  I'm post on Harley forums sometimes.  I'll be active for a month or two, then maybe not for a year or more.  I get forum burn-out.  Does that mean I sold my bike?  Nope.  I'm sure those who have been here for 5+ years are absolutely actively engaged, but I also know people on this forum who were here 5+ years ago, still race (and even KQ), and haven't posted since they started since they have focused elsewhere.

If anything, my IM race was a HUGE learning experience and made me love and appreciate this sport and want to excel at all distances now.  Make up your own mind on this one.

bryancd - 2011-08-16 2:23 PM See, this is what happens when you have an easy 17 hour cut off time.... (runs, ducks for cover

Lol!!!  That was a great sucker punch and bolt!

Absolutely, and nothing wrong with opinions since ultimately you can do what you want!  Plus, I hope you keep posting Fred since you always manage to walk the line properly and not come off as judgmental, and that is a tough thing to do, so I've found value in your posts.

I'm in it for the long term.  I'd like to KQ one day.  I was hoping to just outlive the competition, but I'll be darned if the older people aren't getting faster and more in shape!  Did a local Tri this weekend (Sprint) and the 45-49 group I believe was faster than the 40-44 group.

Hmm.... need a new plan...

I did a sprint July 2009, marathon Dec 2009, Ironman June 2010 (14:10).

My disclaimer is that I had a background in all 3 sports, separately.  In recent years I had only been doing moderate jogging.  Nothing over a 12k.

Personally I think the endurance training actually helped me stay safe.  Workouts with a focus on consistency as opposed to, say, the weekly high-octane soccer game with kids 10 years my junior.  I found the IM buildup to be very helpful in avoiding injury and improving my overall fitness.

I'd also say my IM buildup was far less hours of training than many others.  I knew how hard I could push myself and knew what my work and personal life would allow.  I think it's important to settle those things with yourself before you decide to commit or not.  I took the same approach for this year and cut my time down to a 12:55.

If you aim for steady improvement and don't try to cram 5 years of training into one year, then trust your instincts and see what you can achieve.