Should i IM?

Do you feel like you can add more hours of training to what you're currently doing?  Seems like you have a good fitness background which firmly puts you in the...anyone can do IM as long as they train for it prerequisite group.  

Yes, 7.5 months is sufficient time to train for a full IM.
The plan I followed was 33 weeks, or almost exactly 7.5 months.

Another issue is that you'd need to sign up for an Ironman Foundation spot, which runs $1,400.
Not an insignificant commitment.

Personally, I would avoid scheduling sprints, possibly even Oly's while you're training.
The stresses on your body during those distances are very different than the long course races.
For example, I wouldn't try to run/sprint a 5K or 8K while I was training for a marathon. I'd be better off running a 10 mile training run (75% effort), than I would be sprinting a 3 mile race (95% effort), and my body would recover more quickly from the longer distance.

I would focus on following a race-specific training program.

You could certainly do it.  I'd disagree about avoiding the olys and sprints over the summer and use those to help prep you for the second HIM, should you do it.  And there's no reason you need a coach (though many choose to use one). 

However, I'd suggest you at least consider waiting another year if only because stepping up quickly to the race load you are talking about for this season is a pretty good undertaking.  It may not sound like much now, but come September after you've been training steadily for some time and having just finished your second HIM in six months, you will have to be prepared to ramp up your training volume further for two more months and then race the IM.  Again, quite doable, but worth thinking about the commitment involved before running out, bucking up for the race entry and splurging on the new bike in your current excitement.  Peaking in 'mid-teen' (or more) weekly training hours is not at all unusual at the IM distance.

Please tell me you are talking of a 10K race and not spending $10K!

Man, you can spend what you want, it's your checkbook, but I think that is crazy for a first time event and it doesn't have to be that expensive. I did my IM without a coach. I do think it depends on your level of competitiveness as to whether hiring a coach is right for you. For me, it wasn't about trying to podium or even come close to the podium, but it was more about finishing in my goal time, which I missed. Certainly a coach can be a huge help to you, but it is not necessary, I know plenty of people that were disciplined enough to find a plan and were able to stick to it.

one more point to make. When I did mine, I went from IM in Sept, to Ragnar Relay in Oct to a marathon in early December, and that was too much for me! So keep in my mind not only what can you train for, but also how much time do you need to recover from those events.

Johnny is wise so I'm just gonna echo him.  

Only you can decide whether you should do an IM, and come the time in October and you start burning out, and then again on mile 15 of the run, you're gonna need a good reason.  I've done an early season half and a late season full before and it's a LOOOOOONNNNGGG   season (so why am I considering it again in 2016?).  One of the pitfalls of training in southern california, which sounds like where you are.

Could totally do an IM on your current bike without a coach. 

Just on the shorter race thing, the only reason I wouldn't do a few is risk of injury (but that's no way to go through life!   )   Having had my worst injury at an Oly though, it's at least a consideration

Otherwise (and of course just MO) we do this for fun, and we should be having fun.  I see a lot of us amateurs getting really caught up in long course training - can't go to that party, can't ride shorter and take the kid to the zoo, can't go on a date cuz i'm too tired from my 100 mile bike/6 mile brick - that we can suck the joy right out of this sport.  To me those shorter races not only keep it fresh it's fun to do local races without the self-imposed pressures of long course training.  ESPECIALLY with the schedule the OP has.  I've actually done that exact combo, oceanside in March IMAZ in November.  

I might do one or two shorter races, but not a ton

Nothing is gonna make someone hate tris more than training for nearly a year straight....   My goal here would be to not only avoid season burnout but tri career burnout

Although I agree if you get to the start line healthy, that's way more than half the battle.  For the OP, just remember whether you do it this year or next or the next, missing one or two workouts isn't going to affect the overall training.  IM is about consistent training over a period of months rather than any one specific workout

Just my .02, YMMV etc.....

Originally posted by dworth I am not completed committed yet, and really hashing out the plan at this point with you kind folks. The real reason I thought about it during the time frame, is that having another offseason where maintaining for 2-4 months before working into a training plan seemed less effective. I do agree building blocks are key and I am no expert with my body yet, and have no problem waiting., but might lose interest 10K was my estimated cost to get a tri-bike and all the components needed to ride the distances needed. hydration, saddle, pedals etc. cost of entry and travel with family. Coach is not a mandatory for me. I'm pretty self-motivated and disciplined to train(I hope), but of course this is no half and I have no idea what to expect.

I read the first bolded statement and scratched my head.  Being that extending your ramp up to an IM, to include an off season would probably be more effective than just trying to train all the way through.  Think of it like a professional athlete (runner, cyclist, triathlete, baseball player, basketball player, etc.).  Is it in their best interest to keep competing in events all year, year after year, if they want to make gains?  Probably not.

Then I read the second bolded statement and maybe it makes sense.  Not sure how jokingly you made that comment, but if you don't see yourself in this for the long haul, then maybe it's best to just keep the momentum going.  I'm not criticizing that approach at all...being that I had decided to quit triathlons somewhere around mile 5 of my first and only IM.    Granted, it was my 4th full year of doing tris, and I probably was going to move on regardless of doing an IM or not.

So it just depends how you want to do this.  Very much possible to do it this year, but as others alluded to about a long season, I'd probably hold off and wait till you can structure your entire season, mainly your ramp up in training, around your IM.

This is important if you want to avoid burnout.  The people who suddenly stack on a full IM plan and are completely rigid about it -- they're often the ones who we never see around here again after that one race.

Don't get me wrong.  You should form a plan, either with a coach or a book to guide you.  You need to progressively increase your training load as you approach the race date.  But listen to your body.  If you don't hit your target workout for a day here and there, no need to beat yourself up about it.  Be consistent and do most of your workouts at an intensity that allows you to stay consistent.