You most definitely CAN do it. Based on your race results, you have the ability. But, there is more to doing an IM than ability. You have to have a really good reason to do it. It cannot be about bragging rights or because everyone else is doing it or thinking that it is the "next step" in triathlon (contrary to what many people believe, you don't have to do IM to be a triathlete!). You need something personal to motivate you from within, because the training gets exhausting and the race is hard.
Training takes a lot of time. Not just the swim/bike/run stuff either. It means saying no to invitations with friends and family. It means less time with your spouse (I'm not sure, but I think you are married, right? and kids(and I think you have kids, right?). They have to be on board with it 100% or it could ruin those relationships. Two of my club members have allowed Ironman to break up their marriage. One because the wife was never supportive. The other because he let Ironman become his entire life and forgot to take care of his family.
So, you have to decide if you and the family are ready for the sacrifice. It can be done. In fact, it is done all the time. Very few people are like me (no kids and a DH who also does IM). I have every confidence that you can physically do the race. Just make sure you are ready for the mental part of it before shelling out a lot of money (race fees, hotels, etc.). My advice is to have a loooong talk with your husband, create a pros and cons list, and if you decide to do it, talk about what sacrifices everyone needs to make and what you will do to make it easier for the family.
Now, if you are married without kids, that's easier! But, remember that if you have doubts, then wait another year or two. Ironman isn't going anywhere!
How is your childcare situation? My parents live really close and are totally in for helping out on weekends. My biggest worry is still balancing training with work and family time but my husband is 100% on board and my parents are too, so I think that will help a lot.
One of my friends posted this on our tri club page the other day; I thought it was interesting:
Some of it is crap - i.e., Kona is not that much easier than the others, it's just all fast people there by virtue of the qualification system! But all the same, interesting. Texas is up there! But so are most of the ones in North America.
Anyway, all I really have to say is that trigal is wise. I know my life isn't built to accommodate an IM right now, but I am super impressed with those who do it!
Yes - very important info. I'm married, and a mom of one. That has been my primary concern - does my H really understand what this means, and will it impact my ability to be a present, patient mother. Obviously, the fact that I was able to really enjoy the half distance has propelled me into thinking about a full, but the mental/emotional commitment is more of the "what if" for me.
my H was a professional athlete, so I do think that, even though he doesn't do triathlon, he can be very supportive of the commitment throughout the process. No doubt I will have to make a concerted effort to prioritize my roles in our family. We will sit down and look at the calendar and a few training plans to be sure that he really, truly gets it.
Hes SO EXCITED - I'm not sure what more I can ask for. And, we are at the place in our life where I have more flexibility than ever. The stars seem to be aligning, but I don't take the commitment lightly.
That was one of my concerns, but I honestly didn't notice the heat at wildflower and I did pretty well running when we were in Bangkok. I'm sure it will slow me down some, but I'm fine with that.
How is your childcare situation? My parents live really close and are totally in for helping out on weekends. My biggest worry is still balancing training with work and family time but my husband is 100% on board and my parents are too, so I think that will help a lot.
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
Yeah, I've seen that, but it's not a deciding factor for me.
And yes, I think that right now may be one of the few times in my life that I actually can fit it in (before another baby, before DD has her own soccer tournaments and dance recitals every weekend)
How is your childcare situation? My parents live really close and are totally in for helping out on weekends. My biggest worry is still balancing training with work and family time but my husband is 100% on board and my parents are too, so I think that will help a lot.
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
That's perfect! It seems like the stars have aligned! Also, must plan a huge Texas GTG!!
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
That's perfect! It seems like the stars have aligned! Also, must plan a huge Texas GTG!!
How is your childcare situation? My parents live really close and are totally in for helping out on weekends. My biggest worry is still balancing training with work and family time but my husband is 100% on board and my parents are too, so I think that will help a lot.
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
It gets really hard to do those long workouts back to back. What I did was I would do a century ride on Saturday and maybe a 2 hour ride on Sunday. Then the following week I would do a 4 hour ride on Saturday and then a 3 hour run on Sunday.
How is your childcare situation? My parents live really close and are totally in for helping out on weekends. My biggest worry is still balancing training with work and family time but my husband is 100% on board and my parents are too, so I think that will help a lot.
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
It gets really hard to do those long workouts back to back. What I did was I would do a century ride on Saturday and maybe a 2 hour run on Sunday. Then the following week I would do a 4 hour ride on Saturday and then a 3 hour run on Sunday.
I have 3 hours every day without issue, and then H & I have agreed on one weekend day that I can use entirely to train. So, an 8 hr ride on Sat and a 3 hr run on Sun will not be an issue. What I just have to be prepared for is that I will need to roll/ice/nap/lounge even when I'm home, which H understands and it still full-steam ahead.
It gets really hard to do those long workouts back to back. What I did was I would do a century ride on Saturday and maybe a 2 hour run on Sunday. Then the following week I would do a 4 hour ride on Saturday and then a 3 hour run on Sunday.
Yeah - I've been looking at doing that instead. I was just saying, from a childcare scheduling pov, that I could pretty easily (well, you know what I mean) max out with that kind of time away.
Yeah, I've seen that, but it's not a deciding factor for me.
And yes, I think that right now may be one of the few times in my life that I actually can fit it in (before another baby, before DD has her own soccer tournaments and dance recitals every weekend)
How exciting! I think it sounds like this is a good time for you to do it. You are right that the w/e and week nights are booked quickly once the kids have their own activities and friends. My sweet spot in training was when the oldest two were b/w 2-4. Good luck!
I read a TON of race reports and forum threads, and yeah, the heat and humidity sound pretty intense. but (and this may be incredibly naive) I'm hoping that knowing that going in, and having a clear plan for fueling and especially drinking, will help. Plus my only time goal is just to make the cutoffs.
Post by katandkevin on Aug 15, 2013 16:33:05 GMT -5
It's hot and humid. This past year sucked because it was the first weekend that it was really hot here. It is a super flat course, but the heat is the great equalizer.
I have to agree with Trigal about the relationship stuff. I am only a couple weeks in and DH and I have a solid marriage and it my training has put a strain on it. I am tired all the time which means I am cranky. I am ready to go to bed right after we put the kids to bed. It is also emotional. I go between being 100% sure I can do the race and then the next day I think there is no way I will finish. I know it is just part of the process, but it sucks. It is also expensive. The race fee is the cheap part of it. I have had to buy new bike shorts, compression sleeves, tons of nutrition stuff, new running shoes, miscellaneous other gear that I need for each part of the race.
All of that said, you should do it. I will be there next year no matter what. The energy is electric!
Thanks katandkevin - I need to discuss all of this a bit more with DH, even though he says he understands. I know it will be a challenge.
Right now, as for the heat, there's a part of me that is really turned off by that, but also a part of me that feels like chw57 feels. I'm coming from high altitude, which has been another factor for me as far as feeling better at low altitude. And while i understand heat, I don't have to deal with much humidity.