General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks? Rss Feed  
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2004-08-16 11:05 PM


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Subject: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
I need a 52 week training program to be able to finish the Canadian Ironman next August. I have never done a triathalon and my current conditioning allows me to run 30 miutes non stop comfortably, 60 minute bike, just starting swimming training, have no idea how my swimming conditioning is. Any help?


2004-08-16 11:10 PM
in reply to: #48928

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Pro
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?

Welcome to BT first of all!  Great goal - I'd love to do IM Canada!  You have lots of time to train.  If people can do marathon training in 4 months, then you can train for an IM in 12 months.

Consider signing up for a shorter distance tri (or several) in the spring and summer - consider them training days.  There is a book by Gale Bernhardt called Training Plans for Multisport athletes that is good.  There is a 1/2 year IM plan - you could start with a shorter distance tri training plan and then move on to the IM one. 

Good luck!  Will you be waiting in line to sign up for the race?

2004-08-16 11:11 PM
in reply to: #48928

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Got Wahoo?
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?

What are you doing here?  You need to be on the road!!!!!

Seriously though, start with the Half Ironman traning on the front page....

2004-08-16 11:11 PM
in reply to: #48928


2

Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Thank you, this gets me really excited. I will not be in line to sign up, but two of my friend will be. Thanks for the advice and the motivation.
2004-08-16 11:52 PM
in reply to: #48928

Champion
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Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Sure you can.  I'm signed up for Ironman USA next July, it'll be my first full IM distance.  Think positive...WE CAN DO IT!
2004-08-17 9:32 AM
in reply to: #48928

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Regular
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Southern, Maine
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Sure, get a plan and stick to it. I did my first half IM last year at this time, and did IM USA 3 weeks ago. I would recommend going to Lake Placid a couple of times before the race to train on the course, huge help. If you can't do that then do a half between now and next July. I signed up for next year so see ya there
Good Luck and have fun...

Chris


2004-08-17 9:44 AM
in reply to: #48928

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Master
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Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
May I ask a question? What would you recommend as a training period between an Oly Tri and a half IM?
2004-08-17 9:59 AM
in reply to: #49061

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Regular
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Southern, Maine
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Time between an Olympic and 1/2 Im, would really depend on how you trained for the Olympic. If you were to include some long rides(4 hours) and long runs(2-3hours) in your
Olympic Training plan then you could use the Olympic race as a warm up a month before your 1/2 IM.
If you didnt do that then I would say you would need an extra month between the 2 to boost your mileage up a bit.

Have fun
Chris
2004-08-17 10:09 AM
in reply to: #48928

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Expert
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Texarkana, TX
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?

That's a pretty tall order to go from zero to Ironman in just over a year.  However, training for and finishing an Ironman is always tough.  Here are a few recommendations I would make.

1)  Swimming is going to be very difficult for you if you have no background in swimming fitness.  You have to either get some coaching, attend a workshop (such as Total Immersion) or at the very least buy a book and a dvd to show you proper technique. 

2)  Read up on IM training, theories, plans, etc.  Two good books that I have are Bernhardt's TPfMSA and Joe Friel's "Going Long".

3)  The 26-week Ironman plan in Bernhardt's book starts with a 1 hour run in the first week.  You need to be at a place 26 weeks prior to your Ironman where you would consider a 1 hour run extremely easy.  You should look at the first week of the plan and think, "That's quite easy.  I probably won't even be sore from this workload."  Now, in order to do that, you have to set up a training program to get you from where you are now to the starting point of that plan.  Let's say that you have 28 weeks until your 26-week plan begins.  I would plan for 20-24 weeks of periodized training, followed by 4-8 weeks of easy, low-heart-rate base training before starting the IM program.  I just think that training hard for an entire year will leave your body exhausted and likely lead to overtraining.  In the meantime, I would mix in a few short races and at least one Olympic and one Half-Ironman in your 20-24 weeks.

I think I will be ready for my Ironman, IMAZ on 9-Apr-05 (33 weeks+...), but I will have done 32 weeks of training this year, culminating with a Half-Ironman, followed by 4 weeks of down time for recovery/base trainining.  I have been very dedicated to my training (just ask my wife).  I started from a pretty good base of running - I did a one-hour run the day before I really started Triathlon training.  I had no swimming ability then, just the history of growing up on a Lake water-skiing and such.  So it can be done, but you must make a plan and stick to it above all else.

4)  Finally, if you are deciced to do IM Canada, make sure that you are going to get into the race.  IMNA races often sell out quickly, even within 48 hours (right, Max?).  What I am saying is look into it to make sure that your friends standing in line will, in fact, be able to sign up someone other than themselves.

Finally, welcome to the nuthouse.

2004-08-17 10:10 AM
in reply to: #49061

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Expert
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Texarkana, TX
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
I have eight weeks between an Oly and a Half.  That allowed me a week of recovery, followed by three hard weeks to boost mileage on the run and the bike, then recovery week, hard week, two week taper for the race.  We'll see if it works...
2004-08-17 12:01 PM
in reply to: #49079

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Yeah, if I may say it again, having done nine marathons and a dozen or so centuries, never on the same day, you guys are certifiably nuts.


2004-08-17 12:26 PM
in reply to: #49174

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Expert
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Texarkana, TX
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?

Stop.  You're making me blush.

Besides, I cannot think of a greater athletic accomplishment for the non-professional athlete than finishing an Ironman.

2004-08-17 12:30 PM
in reply to: #49207

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
I would have to agree.
2004-08-17 12:42 PM
in reply to: #49212

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Elite
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San Diego
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
I agree too
2004-08-17 1:08 PM
in reply to: #49212

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Champion
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Whizzzzzlandia
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Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?

I can hardly believe bear is agreeing with something!

Sorry, had to throw that in.

LW

2004-08-17 1:22 PM
in reply to: #48928

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Elite
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
There's waaay too much love in this room now....


2004-08-17 1:51 PM
in reply to: #49240

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Can I do an Ironman in 52 weeks?
Pot stirrer!
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