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Re: Is 12 weeks of training between an Olympic tri and a half IM reasonable?

guest — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:45:18 GMT

I say go for it. 20 weeks is good if you are starting from scratch. I did a 20 week program for my full IM after having taken 2 months off. I felt great on race day and finished right where I wanted and actually really enjoyed the run (which I usually hate). An Olympic tri is a great bridge. If you had just trained on the bike OR the run, then yeah it might be a challenge to continue on, but having been working all three in preparation for the Olympic, you should have a great foundation. Now you just need to increase the mileage on the bike and run. Like Andy said the swim isn't all that much longer, but of course still work on it, but the mileage increase is the biggest thing. Make sure you get some good brick workouts with some longer distances, like a 50 mile bike ride followed by a 5k or 10k run. Bricks are key. I did my first half about 6 weeks after doing my first Olympic. I was tired, but did finish in my goal time. Don't stress the timetable. Take the 20 week plan and take out the starting weeks and some of the middle weeks and make it fit your schedule. You'll be fine.

Can't get past a mile

guest — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:26:01 GMT

First of all, congrats on getting past the mile mark. I think mentality is probably the biggest problem at this point. I live at the top of a pretty steep uphill so I always have to finish my run with it. Most of the time I let my mind make the decision to walk part of it. I tell myself just to get to a certain point and then walk for a bit, then finish. When I get to that point I usually walk, regardless of whether I need to. It's a mind game for me and really screws up my average pace of the rest of the run. It kind of sounds like you have the same obstacle at the mile marker of your run. I would try to vary your route a bit so that mile marker is not so glaringly obvious. Just go out and run a different way and when you get home if you don't have a gps watch or phone that tracks for distance, just look it up on google maps. But overall you are doing the right thing, just slowly increase the distance. Next week try for 1.25 miles. The week after try for 1.5. Pretty soon you will be able to knock off bigger chunks. But like others have said, take it slow so you don't injure yourself again. Don't get frustrated and try to do it all at once. Good luck and enjoy the run, don't pay so much attention to the mileage, just enjoy being outside and exercising!

Is training too early possible

guest — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:14:09 GMT

I think Peter says it best. You really wouldn't want a race specific program 8 months out, but training overall can never be too early. You need to build a base, and the sooner you do that the better.

Some inspiration...

guest — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:57:53 GMT

I have to agree with RB on this one. Painting Lady - you say " but to know that someone else has done it, provides validation that it can be done." but why does someone else have to do it to know that you can do it as well? The saying I've always thought was best was - if there's a will there's a way. If you want to run 13.1 miles or 26.2 or whichever, then all you have to do is train and work up to and then do it. Yeah there are some limitations with handicap people, but to say nobody else does it so that means that I can't is a complete cop out. I think it's good to have people inspire you, but in the end if you don't enjoy what you do, you won't last long.

One long run a week for 1/2 marathon training

guest — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:40:50 GMT

I have to agree with Len on this. I think by running once a week will make you susceptible to injury, especially if you try and increase your pace. I completely understand that work and family take a lot of time. To get my mid week runs in during the winter I get home and change and go right when I get home. Yeah it sucks to not eat dinner first and be with the family, but a 30-40 minute run isn't that big of a deal to get out of the way. Then I get home and relax. Every once in a while I have other commitments after work, so I bring a change of clothes and run during my lunch break. I like to run outside, so I don't wake up early to run yet. But once it starts warming up more, I wake up early and get it out of the way before work. Last year I did an Ironman, and to get my workouts in I woke up by 5 am every morning so I didn't infringe on family time after work. I've always thought the motto great that if there's a will, there's a way. Getting a 3-4 mile run in 2-3 times a week really shouldn't be all that difficult to fit in, that is unless you are just starting out in the lawyer or doctor fields and working 16 hour days, then I understand only getting in a run on the weekend.

Wetsuit Question

guest — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:38:50 GMT

I'm not sure what kind of wetsuit you bought but I kind of had the same dilemma. My dad bought some wetsuits for when we went canyoneering and what not. It was a thicker one and short sleeves and down to the knees. I tried it for a couple short distance tri's and it worked good keeping me warm, but it was rather difficult to swim in. Then last year I signed up for the St George Ironman and figured I needed an actual wetsuit that is made for this. I went with Xterra because of price and reviews and mine cost about $180 for a new one that is long sleeve and long leg, they always have good deals and promotions. The difference in the 2 is amazing. The ones made for tri's is thick where you need it and not as thick in other places like the shoulders for better mobility. But for a sprint, it probably won't be a big deal unless you are hoping for an overall win and worried about seconds, but in longer distances I would definitely go with a tri wetsuit. Oh and the chaffing on the arm area was definitely an issue for the original one I had as well!

Questions and needing some motivation from a newbie runner..

guest — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:55:05 GMT

There are some good responses already on here, but the comment I liked the most was MizT saying "try to enjoy what you are doing." I think that is key to exercise. I hated running and every time I would want to get in to shape I would make it a couple days of running then quit for six months and then repeat the cycle. I finally found cycling and that led to triathlons and I love them both. After a couple seasons of triathlons, I've come to partially enjoy the running aspect because it's not by itself. But in the last year I've lost about 20 pounds and I don't think I've ever been in better shape. I love doing the tri's and that's what makes it so easy to go out a exercise and practice. It doesn't matter what kind of exercise you pick, just do something you enjoy so you aren't dreading the workout.

The comments about talking to your doctor is probably excellent advice based on your situation as well. But really the main thing is to quit postponing it. Get into a routine and stick with it, sign up for some races to work towards and don't back away from them regardless of how well you do. Watch your food intake and start noticing the calories you are taking in and try substuting the high calorie foods with lower calorie foods. It's the little changes that will make the most difference because they will be the easiest to maintain. Diets and fads are terrible because people want a huge instant change and get discouraged when it doesn't happen. Take it slow and don't get discouraged.

Sprint Triathlon training question

guest — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:12:27 GMT

I agree with the swimming comments. There is a big difference between being a strong swimmer and a distance swimmer. I've always been a strong swimmer, but when I jumped in to do laps in a 25 yard pool, I was dead after 150 yards. It doesn't take too long to work up the stamina though so don't be afraid when you start. Just get the reps in. The other thing is to do some bricks. Swim and bike or swim and run then some bike and runs. My first sprint tri I hadn't practiced the back-to-backs and the transitioning from one sport to the next really slowed me down. It took me half the bike ride to slow my heart rate down from the swim, and half the run until my legs felt good under me.

4 weeks is plenty doable, just be smart about it and don't get in injury from trying to fit too much in. Just be confident and don't over-do the swim or bike and you should be fine.

Good first time Ironman races

guest — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:32:41 GMT

I agree with SuperRunner. Although I have only done 1 Ironman, it was this most recent St. George Ironman that I did. I'm sure there are "easier" courses and all that as far as an Ironman is concerned, but my thought was if I was going to do something like an Ironman I wasn't going to look around and find the easiest one just to say I did one. I live in Central Utah so St. George was by far the closest one so I chose it. The support was excellent and the race was ran very well. As a first timer, I was very happy about those things. If you are going to train for an Ironman, just make a choice and train for it. Don't look at the hills and decide against it because it might be harder than the one on the other side of the country. Being able to train on the course was great for me and I feel made me all the more prepared for race day. Good luck on which ever one you choose.

Re: First attempt at Ironman distance - Nervous!

guest — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:43:19 GMT

A great forum website that I have found very useful is iamtri.com. There are different forums for different races and I'm sure there will be one on there for IM Texas. IM St. George will be my first and that is where I have found all the information I've needed to prepare for race day. There are tons of newbies seeking advice and also a lot of veterans giving advice. It's honestly a great place to visit for quick answers a to your questions. Also, most of your questions will probably already have been asked and answered by others, so you would just need to read the responses! Good luck on your race!