Minimum training to finish IM

No training is the minimum training. Some soccer guy did it a while back.

But from what's in your logs, if minimal training is what you're after then you're succeeding.

Minimum training is for 5ks, for IM it is best to respect the distance and get in real shape, especially if you value your health.  Minimum long bike is probly 85 miles x 5, minimum run 16 x 5, minimum swim 4500 yards x 5 with the supporting build to get you there.  Better is 100+ mile bike x 3, 18 mile run x 3 with 17 mile x 3 and 16 mile x 4 and swim lots in the 4000 to 5000 range.  But meh its your dime.  Look at the beginner plan and see what you think about completing those distances. 

Your total miles for 2012 would make an ok monthly total for winter mantanance base work.  Your 2011 numbers are not pretty either.  So you will probably need to do a 2 month pre-IM training plan build up to be able to complete the first week's workouts in the IM training plan.  Be smart and do it right.  

I think the OP just finished an IM.

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." - Ferdinand Foch

If your goal was to finish, you did. Congratulations!

I'm confused by the point of your post.  Are you bragging?  Are you trying to inspire other people to train as little as possible for an IM and possibly endanger their lives?

...I smell a troll...

There are a couple of pretty significant races/events on there as well as the Ironman, including a 180 mile bike ride and IM 70.3 TX, both in April. The numbers don't add up - only 112mi on the bike for the month. 

You should also note the OP adds "IV to replenish fluid" as the warm down in their IMTX RR.

Not too far fetched, look at my logs for 2011, those are completely accurate for my IM Louisville race. I finished, no IV, but it wasn't pretty, legs gave out 6 miles into the run, did 14 min. miles walking to finish, a 5:30 walk is no fun!!!  It's not something to brag about if that was the purpose, but minimal training and success depends on the drive and the heart of the individual racing.

Adam

nice job on completing it if you did. I guess I should feel too bad as i am only getting in about 8hrs/week with 5 weeks to go.

No i am not bragging! not at all.  This is still a beginner triathlete website right?!?!  When i first started i knew that i would not be able to maintain the training that i got form this program.  I have a wife, 2 small children, a career, and sometimes a serious lack of motivation.  The whole time i was worried if i was training "enough" was it just crazy to even think about starting let alone finishing.  

The point of this post was not to brag, not to fish for complements, or congratulations.  It was to let the next guy in line, the Beginner Triathlete that some one with my amount of training was able to finish.  I was a flat tire, or a bathroom break away from not finishing so i would not in any way recommend doing it this way, but if you find yourself in this similar situation you CAN finish!  it will take luck, and GUTS but you can do it!  

As far as the "IV to replenish my fluids" is that not correct?  I am still learning so i might have got it wrong, but i was dehydrated(i have been dehydrated enough before to know it when it happens) I went to the medical tent and said I feel dehydrated and would like and IV to replenish my fluids.  Is that not what an IV is for? 

Who says this?  I don't think I've ever heard anyone here say it.

Frankly, I don't see the point of doing an IM on minimal training.  Makes no sense to me at all.  Nor do I think it is a big deal.  Sorry if that's harsh but it's my opinion.

I am pretty sure that i included all my race miles in the training as well.  i will double check but yes i am fairly certain it is 100% correct.

Would i recommend it to a beginner?  no.  Would i tell a beginner that has minimal training to go ahead and go for it, see what they are made of and do it?  Yes! absolutely.  is that not the reason we get into this sport is to see what we are made of?  some of us have the stuff to get up and train every day.  I wish i did.  Like i said i was just trying to reassure the next guy in line that they can do it.  no  matter how little training they can do it!  Just trying to pass on the comfort and reassurance i was looking for last week right before my big day.  

I just don't understand why would u want to do an IM race on minimal training?!??!

The part that I enjoyed the most was the training 

There have been a number of people here on BT over the years who have done IM's with very little training, so this is really not that unusual.

If you look at the paces you have to maintain to make the cutoffs it's not a big deal, it's just that you're going to be out there for a long, long time.

Is it possible? Certainly.  Ill-advised?  Probably, IMHO.

Personally, I'm attracted to the sport by the training and the resulting health benefits over time.  Races are an opportunity to measure my fitness and enjoy the social interaction.  Just doing a bonzai race with no preparation doesn't seem like very much fun to me.

Mark

I'm sure there are plenty of people that simply just want to complete an IM but have time constraints.  Bucket list item per say.  I can see why someone like this may want to get an idea of what is realistic in terms of training commitments to complete an Ironman.  While I would not condone this approach , I can see why some people may want to know that this is possible.