1/2 IM anxiety issues

What is the time allowed for the bike (or is it a cumulative time for swim, T1, and bike?) and what kind of pace are you riding when you say "really slow"? I'm not an awesome biker and did 3:27 in my first HIM but there were plenty of people behind me. Guessing that if you can finish the ride within four hours or so it shouldn't be an issue. I think if you can find out the cutoff times and do the math, that might alleviate some of the anxiety. If it doesn't, because they're pretty tight given your speed, then just do what you can do. Do your best to have a quick, clean transition so you don't waste time there, and do what you can on the bike. If that's good enough to make the cutoff, awesome If it's not, then you've tried your best (in my mind, being pulled off the course because you can't meet a time cutoff isn't the same as a DNF--it's just being too slow, not giving up) and you'll have a better idea where/how much you need to improve in order to finish.

If you really think the cutoff is hopeless but have the endurance to finish.....there's a race here in SE Asia (Bintan) that, at least in the past, runs concurrently with a full IM and gives all the participants the full 17 hours to finish, even if they're doing the HIM! I don't know if anyone in the U.S. offers that option, but might be worth checking out. Races vary in their time cutoffs and some smaller, non branded ones might be more generous, especially if they're going concurrently with other events.

Edited by Hot Runner 2015-04-17 5:34 PM

are you getting solid trainer workouts in ?

Don't panic, you have 7 weekends till taper (2 weeks). That;s a LOT of riding still.
Hopefully the weather will improve and you can get some real road miles.
But if not, I'd stick with the trainer and hammer it as best as you can.

keep the faith and stick with your plan...keep up with all your workouts the best you can.

Agree with the above post. As long as you're sticking to your plan and doing the work, even on the trainer, you'll be fine. The cut offs are pretty generous.

Anxiety is normal for your first time. Trust your training and have fun!

Thanks all for the encouraging information. By way of update, I was able to do a 45 mile ride outside (yay!) on Saturday. Did it in 3 hours and 5 minutes. I figure I can do the last 11 miles in a reasonable time and probably be finished well inside four hours. Not the fastest, but a safe time, I think, and my ride on Saturday was on a very hilly course, lots of short, steep hills and one large hill over 1.5 miles long. BTW I bought a new bike this weekend. Might help, going from my old $400 bikesdirect.com aluminum bike to a nice Trek carbon fiber bike.

I am trying to do really good trainer workouts, this is my first season doing any actual focused riding on the trainer.

How are the swim waves set up? By age I'm guessing. Do they make the old folks go last?

Thanks again, you all have really helped.

Here is what they have done in the past.  Race starts at 10:00 this year too

 

Edited by popsracer 2015-04-20 10:54 AM

Thanks so much for the swim wave information. Was not sure where to go to look for it. That makes me feel better too, not being in the very last wave of swimmers.

Y'all have been extremely helpful. I am over my anxiety attack of Friday!