Ironman goal

Yeah, I tilt the average to the long side. did my first sprint in 1996.  progessed to Oly's, then 1 HIM in 06 and 1 in 07. Now i think I know what it will take. So I  signed up for IMLP 08.

Plus, if JohnnyKay can do it, so can I

There have been some very good points raised here regarding IM training. Let me give you a little insight from a coaches perspective and what I tell people who come to me for IM training.

First of all you (and anyone else who plunks down the cash) have the determination and drive to finish the race. Your (and I am not necessarily referring to you personally) desire to cross the finish line will only carry you so far though. What a lot of new athletes fail to realize is that your body takes time to adapt to the training loads that are placed upon you during preparation for an IM race. The caveat to all this is if you come from an endurance background in one (preferably two) of the three disciplines. For example a road cyclist who rides 3,000 miles a year and used to be a HS swimmer could pretty much do an IM as their first race if they wanted to, and this is because their bodies are ready to accept an 18 hour training week without incurring an overuse injury. Statistically you have a 90% chance of getting injured training for an IM race to begin with, a relative new athlete can pretty much round that up to 100%. Of course there are exceptions to everything and yes there are people who couldn't run a mile on year and are crossing the finish line of Ironman X the next year, but it isn't a recommended practice.

Not trying to discourage you, but it is a big commitment of time and energy not to be taken lightly. Besides Ironman isn't going anywhere so what's the rush? Take a few seasons and build up your body and your endurance and then go for it. That way you can train and race and enjoy the experience and not just survive it.

??? Can you back that statistic up ???

90% seems way high, but maybe we have a different definition of "injured".  To me "injured" means unable to train and you probably should be thinking about seeing a Doctor or PT.  If that is what you are calling "injured" then no way is it 90%.
However, if you are calling "injured" aches and pains then then I'm right with you at 90+%.  For example, right now I am fighting a minor PF flare up.  It hurts in the morning but gets better after I walk and stretch a little.  It is not something that is keeping me from training but I'm definatly keeping an eye on it and doing some prevenative PT.  I would not say that I'm injured at this time. 

It depends.  If you are relatively fit and motivated and put the proper time into your training, there's no reason you have to wait 4 or 5 years to participate in an IM.  There are many folks that go from the couch to Olympic or HIM within a year or so.  If you can get to that level, then you can begin training for an IM a year or so later.

I did my first tri/du (swim was cancelled) last fall.  This year, I've completed a sprint, an Olympic, and will do a HIM in a few weeks.  I'm also registered for IMLP 08.  Just set goals and work to achieve them. 

Good luck.   

I have a very similar experience to one of the other posters.

Jan- 2006 (running 9 miles/week) start training for RnR mary

April- 2006 get back into the pool after a 20 year hiatus.

May 2006 buy my first bike

June 2006- RnR mary

August 2006- first tri, sprint distance

Oct 2006- first duathlon

Feb. 2007- half mary

March 2007, sign up with coach

May 2007- sprint distance tri

June 2007 OLY distance tri

Aug 2007 sprint distance tri

Sept 2007 HIM

October 2007 OLY dist tri

Feb 2008 Half mary /(or full, haven't decided yet)

JUNE 2008- IM CDA (overnighting my CF application today!)

Having a coach makes all the difference. I had an overuse injury training for the RnR in 06, but have easily ramped up my mileage in all 3 sports with the coach and so far (knock on wood) no issues...

And, I pretty much started back in the pool after 20 years off swimming about a 2:00- 2:10/100 yd pace, so I haven't struggled as much with the swim.

Climbed into the pool in Dec. '05 and between then and now have swam around 230,000 yards.  Basically no competitive swimming background at all, and last time I really swam "fast" was 13 years before that.

And today I swam 4,300 yards straight in the pool.  That's the IM distance.  So if my slow butt can do it, anyone can!!  And it's taken me a lot less than 2 years to get there.

I think maybe alot of you are missing my point....I am not saying that you can't go from the couch to an IM finish (basically just surviving the race) in a year or two. What I am saying is that you are subjecting yourself to a plethora of overuse injuries if you choose to take that path. It takes time for the connective tissues and musculoskeletal system to adapt to training loads that you are going to be under to even complete an IM race.

Again I am not trying to discourage ANYONE from acheiving their goals, I just feel like I have an obligation as a USAT Coach and someone who sees this on a regular basis to let those who are thinking of doing an IM race in on what they are committing to do.

Lots of interesting info here. Just thought I'd throw my example into the mix. ALso, my opinion is that you should do at least one half ironman the year before your ironman. The recovery is likely much faster than a marathon, and probably offers better training goals than the marathon, on the way to an ironman. I personally don't buy the argument that you need to run a marathon before an IM. If it fits the schedule and you have the time, sure - but I think the half iron is much more important.

Jan 2005: started running, biking, trying to learn to swim

2005 season: 3 sprint tris, one very slow half ironman (7h50m)

2006 season: 3 half ironmans, fastest 5h55m

2007: ironman (April), 12h20m

Most of all, it takes commitment. Good luck!

tom 

 Anyway, I would think most people could complete an IM in a few years if you are in fairly decent shape depending on a time you want to achieve.