Thinking about trying the Ironman 70.3 in May

[dawookie]

This is probably moving a little too fast, but Ill post what Im thinking to get some responses.

Im going to run a half-marathon in Lauderdale in a few weeks (Feb 19th). If I am able to get a decent enough time and feel comfortable with the distance, I may sign up for the half-Ironman triathlon in Orlando in May. Im just looking to finish the Ironman inside the allowed time.

I think the running would be the most difficult for me and I want to see how I can handle the 13.1 mile distance. I would have 3 months from the half-marathon to the half-ironman to train. Currently Im running 5 miles relatively easy. After a couple days rest Im going do my long run this weekend and then try for 10-11 miles next weekend before the race.

I plan on getting a bike shortly (within weeks) to start training on, probably in the 1000-1500 price range. I would add aero bars and minor changes that would help in a triathlon.

What do you think?

 

[Synpax]

Give it a shot. I'll warn you now - going from bike to run is really going to crush you unless you practice some bricks first.

 

[textridave]

I have yet to do a the 1/2 Iron Man. I usually do sprints and Oly distances.

I would consider one of these first before going to the 1/2 distance.

Remember..

First - Swim What about swimming?
Second - Bike Have you biked before?
Third - Run

Have you done a tri at all?

I have run a 1/2 half-marathon and it was not that bad. I only ran twice over 9 miles before attempting the 1/2..

Do I think it can be done? Yes, with the proper training you can do a 1/2 for your first tri...

If I remember correctly, FL has a great tri scene with lots of options... Check out a Sprint or Oly first..

Good Luck..

This is probably moving a little too fast, but Ill post what Im thinking to get some responses.

Im going to run a half-marathon in Lauderdale in a few weeks (Feb 19th). If I am able to get a decent enough time and feel comfortable with the distance, I may sign up for the half-Ironman triathlon in Orlando in May. Im just looking to finish the Ironman inside the allowed time.

I think the running would be the most difficult for me and I want to see how I can handle the 13.1 mile distance. I would have 3 months from the half-marathon to the half-ironman to train. Currently Im running 5 miles relatively easy. After a couple days rest Im going do my long run this weekend and then try for 10-11 miles next weekend before the race.

I plan on getting a bike shortly (within weeks) to start training on, probably in the 1000-1500 price range. I would add aero bars and minor changes that would help in a triathlon.

What do you think?

 

[dawookie]

There is a tri at FAU in early april that I will also do as a warmup. .25mi swim, 10mi bike, and 3.1mi run.

I have biked before plenty, round trip rides to the beach on the mnt bike (40 miles or so), also regular mountain biking on trails down here in south fla and also up in Orlando area..

I havent had to swim the distance though, so I will definately need to practice that and learn better form. I kitesurf and windsurf and can handle myself in the water fine tho.

I plan to incorporate bricks soon. Id like to wait until I get the road bike but may just start using my mountain bike for the time being.

 

[Dial_tone]

I would do a sprint just to get the feel of transitions then an Olympic. Jumping right to a 70.3 is pretty ballsy. Just because something can be done doesn't mean its a good idea.

 

[dawookie]

Ill be doing a modified sprint marathon first in April, but ultimately it comes down to how I feel after the half-marathon.

I picked up the Total Immersion book today and will read and start practicing its principles.

 

[Dial_tone]

I do an indoor brick on Thursdays - 30-40 minute stationary bike and 30 minutes on the treadmill; then an outdoor one on Sundays.

 

[Synpax]

I would still say go a head and do it. A full IM was just about my first tri and it teaches you a lot. You get humbled and eager to learn more if you do a longer distance and do badly than doing ok at a medium distance.

Still, you must TRAIN for it. I had 10 hour training sessions on Sundays with 4 hours on Saturdays in the weekends before tapering down for the IM.

 

[dawookie]

I'll let you know when I actually register, at that point there's no turning back. Im very excited to do it so Ill most likely go for it! I think Im going to get a cheaper bike than before (probably 800$ max) and go with that for now. If I get into the sport as much as Ill get a better bike more specific for tri's next year.

Ive been reading the Total Immersion book and am disappointed so far. It's like an infomercial, it all tells about how good the method is and not about the method itself. There are drills at the end of the book so thats probably where all the good info is.

 

[Dial_tone]

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/default.asp
http://www.winningmag.com/training/olympic/index.shtml

 

[dawookie]

Thanks for the links dial_tone! I dont give out enough karma and cant hit you and synpax for the info yet..

 

[dawookie]

I think I ramped up the running distance too quick and now my left knee is bothering me. I think its runners knee. Im still shooting to try the ironman half in May, but if my kneee isnt recovered by next weekend I wont be doing the half marathon. Until my knees feels better I will only do swimming and weight training.

Ive got a sprint tri coming up in April that will be my first tri of any kind.

 

[Dial_tone]

I signed up for the Solvang Century. I'm going to do the 50-mile option then a 5K run about 3 weeks after that. I'm falling behind on my running though.

 

[dawookie]

I found a video on the web that will definately help get a personal record in the swim portion of a tri:

http://www.livelovelaughandplay.com/humor/movies/swim.mov

 

[dawookie]

Im now registered for the May 21 70.3 Ironman www.floridahalfironman

Theres no turning back now. My knee recovered and ive been doing a lot of ocean swimming and bike riding. Ive got the half marathon this weekend to see how I handle the distance without the swimming and biking..

The half ironman run will be split into a 2 mile run from swim transition to bike transition and a 11.1 run after the bike, this has pissed off a lot of the competitors who want a "true" triathlon but I like the change since running will be my weakness.

 

[dawookie]

I did the A1A half-Mary this morning. I had knee issues so I didnt get to do much running to train for this event. I was able to finish in 2:09 and Im pleased with the time. Now I know I can finish the 13.1 mile run.

I'll continue to train hard for the next 3 months for the Ironman 70.3. Ive done a 1.2 mile swim, a 60 mile bike ride, and now ran the 13.1 miles, so I know I can finish each leg independently, now to put it all together and be able to do them all consecutively.

 

[dawookie]

The ironman is on Sunday May 21st. Im excited and ready to do this.. Im hoping for a time under 6 hours.

 

[dawookie]

I finished but couldnt hit the 6 hour goal. Started crappy on the swim and spent the rest of the race catching up. It was 96 degrees in Orlando w. no shade or breeze... I finished in a little over 8 hours.

I hydrated hydrated hydrated but after about mile 40 on the bike I started cramping thru the end of the race. Tomorrow and Tuesday will be interesting trying to walk.

 

[Dial_tone]

Good job. The goal for the first should just be to finish w/o going into the red. I got in 80 miles on the bike this weekend.