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2007-06-29 7:06 PM

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Subject: Am I crazy or not...
I've been a cyclist for years... and am in good shape. Have ridden many centuries in the mountains of North Carolina so I'm used to long-distance suffer-fests. Here's my question. I'm a new... but driven and dedicated swimmer & runner and I was considering entering a 2008 Ironman triathlon. Is one-year enough time to prepare or should i start with a half Iron to get some experience. Thanks all in advance for your opinions and advice.


2007-06-29 7:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
I think that depends on the person but do a sprint first. The reason I say that is b/c I think your biggest concern would be the swim b/c its difficult to simulate race day OW swimming. You don't want to be 100 yards into the swim freakin out with 1400 yards to go.
I don't think an Ironman is out of reach for next year so long as you have a decent base now and continue to build into next year.
Then again, you are taking advice frm someone who haven't ridden more than 30 consecutive miles and only done one sprint tri...
2007-06-29 7:59 PM
in reply to: #866783

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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...

yes you are crazy- yes it is doable- get a plan going there are ironman  plans in this site. .I say once you confirmed you are entered your  planning and training starts. Oh by the way we are all crazy for particpating in an Ironman. suggested reading Going Long By

Byrn and Friel. Good luck!!!! 

2007-06-29 11:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
GO for it. I am in my first year of tris and will be doing an Iron Distance in 3 months!!
2007-06-30 1:07 AM
in reply to: #866783

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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
I believe it is doable (not that I have done one). I would recommend that you race a sprint and an oly this season - that should give you a frame of reference. You might plan on an HIM in early next year and then an IM late 08 / early 09. Best of luck.
2007-06-30 3:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
My vote is to go for it too! I signed up for my first IM before my first sprint was done. I am 4 months from my IM but feel confident. Confident to the point of signing up for 2008 CDA before completing IM #1. I am doing a 1/2 IM in a few weeks as practice as well so I think your plan sounds good.

My advice, and this is truly coming from a novice, would be to get a coach. My coach has taken me from swimming 25 yds at best (3 months ago) to swimming btw 2500 and 3500yd in a session with about the same effort. Coaches aren't the cheapest thing you can do but talk about a confidence booster!

Good luck and happy training.


2007-06-30 9:47 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
Are you crazy? Yes anyone who does an iromman has to be a little crazy. having done centuries is huge since swim and the run are the easy parts of the ironman. (ok that is because I am not the biggest fan of the bike).

nice thing about trying to do a sprint is of course you can see what a race is like, and if you like it. a Half iron man in your training process will help gauge your progress and give you a big race day experience. Doing each sport alone is one thing. Doing all 3 in the same day is another.

I would say go for it on the IM would I would try to get a sprint or in Oly later this season and an early HIM next year.
2007-06-30 10:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
Thank you for all the advice. I just (last night) entered the IRONMAN Florida 70.3. I decided to do a half to get some perspective then do the full. The 70.3 will be my first tri! 322 days and counting! thanks again... and any advice would be hugely appreciated.
2007-07-03 12:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
I dared my friend who is a cyclist to do IMFL with me. He only has one year too. Peer pressure is a beautiful thing
2007-07-06 8:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
Yes to both.
2007-07-06 1:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...

I do think you're crazy.

I don't think it's undoable... however, it's a huge time committment to train properly. Ironman is all consuming. Have you run a marathon? Sign up for one ASAP. Do you have a family? Kiss them good bye for a year. Friends? Not unless they're training with you too! The news? You'll never make it to the 10 o'clock news.

I'd wait a year. What's the rush? Do a half and see if you even like the swim/bike/run combo. Training for a half is pretty consuming in and of itself. You have the rest of your life. IMO, rushing into these things without the proper background or knowledge is just setting yourself up for frustration and failure. At this point you don't even know what you don't know!

Gain a little experience first. Then go nuts. 

The voice of reason......

Whizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



2007-07-06 2:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...

You can do it! It will take dedication from you to do the training but if you will commit you will not have any problems finishing the race. That being said, i could not agree more with doing some shorter races to learn HOW to train. I waited 3 years to do my first HIM and still got hit with lousy weather in April (hey, you live in NC too) that affected my run training greatly. I would have been very happy with my HIM time had the legs not started going away during the 2nd 10K of the run. You WILL NOT cheat a long course.

If you can, get a coach. IF you can, get Sonni Dyer at Studio 7 Multisport in Valdes. You will not find a better guy or coach in my opinion than Sonni. If I can swing it he will be my coach for my 2008 IM.

 BTW, hold out for a NC Iron distance race in 2008. Details should be posted on Setup's site in the next month or so. PM me sometime!

Welcome to the madness!

 

Fred



Edited by fcarter389 2007-07-06 2:11 PM
2007-07-07 1:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
Wow Whizzzzz that's pretty pessimistic

I just did IM CDA and never ran a marathon. Never did a week longer than 18 hours, never woke up earlier than 5am and spent plenty of time with friends and family (it was just planned in advance).

Sure IM training takes committment and yes when you get to your final 8 weeks before taper you will feel tired and like you aren't seeing your family all that much but if you're having fun and enjoying the experience things will go smoothly.

I'm not by any stretch the greatest athlete but I enjoyed the training, stayed healthy, married, sane and finished with a big smile.

Ironman doesn't equal a year of misery and I have the training log and RR to prove it
2007-07-07 1:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...

Not trying to be pessimistic... but trying to be realistic. An 18 hour training week is HUGE. On top of work, family, housework, other responsibilities, children, pets.... etc etc...

My thought is to test the waters first with some shorter races. THEN move toward something all encompassing.

I see nothing wrong with doing a year of HIM races. Or two years. See if you really even WANT to commit that kind of time/effort/energy. THEN decide.  That's the route I've taken... not that it's right for everyone... but when I do my IM (which will most likely be in 2008...after I see how the Chicago Marathon goes...) I want to be fully prepared and fully aware of what I'm getting myself into.

And don't get me wrong... I'm not looking to WIN these races... I'm looking to finish knowing I've done all the prep work I could have done, and knowing I put forth the best effort I could have. And not get injured. Kiss

2007-07-07 2:09 PM
in reply to: #875654

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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
Thanks for all the suggestions and especially the encouragement. I've registered for the 2008 Ironman 70.3 Florida. If My training is going well by November 07' and I'm on track.... then I'm gonna register for the 08 Florida Ironman. At that point I'll have a year training under my belt for the 70.3... then I'll have another 12 mos. to prepare for the Ironman. I know me.... I'll train hard... I'll train right... and I'll finish or die trying. Thanks again... and if there are any more suggestions or advice... bring it on. I'm an info junkie.
2007-07-08 3:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
One advantage of doing a local sprint is practice in the transitions - little things like a plastic bin to rinse your feet before the bike, how to set up your space etc.


2007-07-10 6:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...

I agree you should do a tri or two this season..understand what you are getting into before signing up for IMFL.

I have to agree with Whizz...folks are in such a hurry to do longer races like shorter ones are less important or less difficult. All tris are difficult it is just how long you do them and the intensity you race at. The training is different and more time consuming when you do longer races.

Clearly you have the cycling skills which is a huge advantage. 

I'm on the 5 year plan...started in '04, doing my first HIM this year, and planning on IMFL in '08. I've had a coach for 3 years and have improved, developed, am faster and finally I think I am for ready. I'm in a much better place to tackle the task than I would have been last year or even this year. 

 

2007-07-10 7:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Am I crazy or not...
I agree....do some small races then step up to an ironman
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