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Half and Full to soon?

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Cervelo Apple

Apr 10, 12 8:41

Post #26 of 54 (1239 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [atilley] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

atilley wrote:

I think how you proceed depends on what you're trying to get out of it. I'm very competitive, so I'm sticking to sprints and a few olys my first few years, because I want to get very good before I proceed to the next level. Some just want to "do one", which I suppose is fine too.

but for some people, to be competitive they need to bump up to at least half ironmans - maybe their swim and bike are good but their run isn't capable of a 17 min. 5K.

BCDon

Apr 10, 12 8:49

Post #27 of 54 (1234 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Clubs can be intimidating for newbies. The members are faster in all aspects than you are and you don't want to be left behind (or feel like you are slowing up others). So, you train alone. Sure, once you have done a few Sprints and/or Olys, you may feel that you can join but till that point, it is intimidating.

In addition, the newby is experiencing a lot of different things and it is highly unlikely that ther are into training daily or multiple time per day. In other words, they have not made the full commitment to race a longer race. They need time to get used to Noth training and theyo competing.

This is of course dependent upon their backgrounds, age and other factors.
BC Don
There's a difference between skiing and just getting down a mountain.

OneGoodLeg

Apr 10, 12 9:30

Post #28 of 54 (1217 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [brentybrent18] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

brentybrent18 wrote:

I�m a super noob to tri�s. Did my first one last April of 2011 which was a sprint. Followed up with another spring 2 weeks later. Did a HIM in June of 2011 followed by a full distance 140.6 in September. It was awesome. In my full my nutrition crashed to the ground and I was put down to a run/walk. I had a blast and can�t wait for IMFL this year. Right now I�m battling a fun hamstring injury. Too much too soon? You bet! But it was awesome. There is no way to learn the nutritional and physical aspects of a 140.6 until you do one. I don�t care what anybody says. You can practice your nutrition all you want, but when you are on mile 15 of the run after swimming 2.4 and biking 112 you are in new land that you can�t possibly train for. You simply can�t train to that distance and know how your body is going to react. Practicing nutrition on a 100 mile bike ride is cute. It has nothing to do with running 26.2 miles afterwards. Taking what you learn from a HIM and putting it to use on a full distance is like putting what you learn from a 5K to the use of a marathon. The only way to learn is to go out and do it and get as many pointers from anybody possible. For the noob�s like me, if you want to do the race and you know your body can do it, then do it. If the pi$$es off the older guys, then so be it. Let them laugh at me as they run by me. My generation is the future of your sport. Make fun all you want.

I've got zero prob w/ you doing it however you want and glad it's worked out to your enjoyment as that's the most important thing. Just gotta call total BS on the highlighted claim, though... Granted, that sort of training takes more time and build-up than it sounds like you invested, which seems to me kinda goes back to the original point of the thread. You can't just put in basically one season or less of training for a full IM and then turn around and say to others that level of training can't be done, because it most certainly can. I know I did it for my first IM, as have many others, and feel like I nailed it pretty well. But then I'd been in the game long enough to have a good idea of what I could or couldn't handle, and prepared accordingly. At most, you might be able to claim it can't be done in less than a year in the sport, is all; pretty simple case of "you get out what you put in."

But again, if you're having fun, I'm not criticizing that aspect of your choice at all.

(This post was edited by OneGoodLeg on Apr 10, 12 9:36)

Pyromaniac

Apr 10, 12 9:41

Post #29 of 54 (1208 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [BCDon] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I did an Ironman last year after starting triathlon in 2010, so I guess I would qualify as a new triathlete who jumped in to long course racing very quickly. To the poster who suggested that they make the swim cutoff tougher to discourage people from "jumping in" when they are not ready to swim adequately, that's not a bad idea. I was a very weak swimmer last year and my ironman race suffered because of the effort it took me to complete the swim. I swam a 1:32 and still passed over 1200 people on the bike and run. If I had to do it over again, I would not have signed up for ironman without being a stronger swimmer. It wasn't the 1:32 that ruined my race, but rather the effort that it took out of me before even starting the bike. I definitely was turned off by ironman racing after that experience, because I am too competitive to be satisfied with finishing behind 900+ people in a race. So this year I have made a concerted effort to strengthen my swim, and I am sticking to shorter races where I can be somewhat competitive. I also do not have the time to train properly for the ironman bike. Someday I may decide to do another ironman, but my idea of a fun Saturday does not include spending 5 hours on a bike. I would much rather run a 5k or spend a few hours at most training at a high intensity. I definitely learned my lesson with ironman and would advise more people to spend at least 3-4 years in the sport before trying to complete a race of that distance. I still ran a 3:52 ironman marathon, so I am not one of those people that walked 26.2 miles to check ironman off their bucket list.

sworrjr

Apr 10, 12 10:01

Post #30 of 54 (1189 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Pyromaniac] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Pyromaniac wrote:

We sound similar. I am a newbie in the sport and am doing IMTX this year as my first ironman. I started two years ago and couldnt swim 100yds at the time. I have done maybe 8 sprints, 1 oly, and 1 HIM in the past two seasons. I would do more but it gets expensive after a while. Like you I am not a good swimmer, I hope to swim the course in 1:30. I also hope to run the course around the 4hr mark, so I wont be walking. I am 44yrs old and I just really enjoy the training. I do belong to a local Tri club, but it is mainly focused on getting beginners to finish a sprint at the end of the summer. At the club functions I end up by myself anyways as I am too slow for the elite level people who show up, but faster than most of the others so I get the same feeling of training alone.

I certainly hope that IMTX is not my last full, and I hope that the swim doesnt take as much out of me as you said it did for you. I am hoping for a 1.5hr swim, 6hr bike, 4:15 run. My training has been going well so I think those are reasonable goals for me. As long as I dont panic with the mass swim start I think I will be fine. I dont know how you can train for that start?

elecengrman

Apr 10, 12 13:05

Post #31 of 54 (1148 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Mexpedip] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I don't think it's a matter of respect for people. It's a matter of respecting the distance. I think it's great if you want to do a half or a full in your first or second year AS LONG AS YOU'RE PREPARED FOR IT. I think that is the problem, too many people jump into triathlons an have no idea what they're doing especially on the swim or not bothering to read any of the rules for the bike. I read a story about a guy who signed up for a half-iron and had no idea what he was signing up for, he thought it was a sprint. He finished but he walked the run and then thought he was an Ironman for finishing a half.

One of my friends did the DC Sprint Tri with me last year, his only Tri. It was the longest he had ever run (about 4.5 miles) and the 800 yard swim took him 35 minutes. He signed up for the DC Half in August and while I'm happy he is going to do it, I think he is in for a huge surprise at the same time since I doubt he'll be ready for it...he still smokes.

There was also a post or article from a Half-Iron race director commenting on all the hands that went up when he asked if this is anyone's first triathlon. He sounded like he was saying these people are stupid for not building up to it.

Yeah, you can do it your first year but why would you want to risk death just to finish an Ironman as soon as possible. This is my second year of Tris and sure, I could have finished an Ironman last year but struggling to finish in 16:58 while walking 20 miles doesn't seem ideal.

I can see both sides of the argument, its great that you want to do an Ironman to cross it off your bucketlist but, it sucks for people that train hard all their lives that the bucketlist people contribute to races selling out faster than you can get to the registration page.

Yeah you finished but, you probably did it half assed. If you're worried about a cutoff or not being able to wear a wetsuit maybe you should think twice before making a decision to enter.

Compare it to this...How many people sign up for a Marathon in their first year of running?
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Il Falco

Apr 10, 12 15:39

Post #32 of 54 (1103 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [hankscorpio] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

X2

Why so threatened ?

B.McMaster

Apr 10, 12 15:55

Post #33 of 54 (1083 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [atilley] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

atilley wrote:

I think you mean next distance, not next level. Qualify for the Olympics - that would be the next level :)

1fastbeaver

Apr 10, 12 16:06

Post #34 of 54 (1076 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [elecengrman] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

elecengrman wrote:

I prepared for the distance as it was my first season, but thank god for a coach that stopped it from being my first tri. You can NOT truely respect the distance till you have completed one. As for the HIM I did... It was a wake up call to HTFU and train HARD. As for those bucket list pussies... Don't get me started. As for Therealalbertan, you could have cut an hour off the swim and I'd still have made it. You've seen my swim on Youtube and know how bad it is...

Is there any chance the age group rankings could be headed in the directions to help people as stupid as me, but didn't find a great coach? Qualify to do a IM? Not sure if I like the idea.

As for changing the cutoff time, what would we do if we couldn't bitch about IMH coverage and the 80+ guys coming in 16:5x?

http://www.researchms.org/trifest/

AWARE

Apr 10, 12 16:55

Post #35 of 54 (1050 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [brentybrent18] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

To add on to what another said...you haven't done enough races to know what you're talking about regarding preparation. You didn't have enough time to practice the preparation (& have it go wrong) in enough ways to know that you can prep adequately enough to know what you're getting into. That's exactly why those of us that have "been around awhile" are preaching what we are. You can simulate those scenarios, you can do the bricks so you're not "in a new land you can't possibly train for."

We can't knock your speed to take it all in (maybe this is a byproduct of our instant gratification, drive to be the conqueror culture now?) because you're enjoying it, you're sticking around & that's what matters. You at least didn't START with the IM. We're pointing out that IF you had taken some time & developed into the sport a bit more you might have been able to avoid injury such as now AND held it together through the run on the IM. Because yes, the MAJORITY of people do take what they learn from a 5k, 10k, 13.1, oly, sprint & apply it to the longer effort.

Hell, I've been at this long enough to have taken a year (or so) off & know that I still have so much to learn. My first sprint-June of 2003. Oly in 2004. Half in 2008 & full in late 2008. (My first marathon was that day...that I wouldn't change at all. I've since run 4 more trying to figure them out...) I've done almost 30 races. Didn't get involved in the club until 2006 or 2007. It was NIGHT and DAY difference - racing was more fun, logistics were much easier, I learned much faster & my improvements were faster (from having faster people to push me in training - HTFU isn't always enough) I knew early on the longer distances were going to be where I'm stronger - but it was a helluva committment. Like someone else said, I wanted to make sure I was really ready to take it on. Mine wasn't a competitive issue though, I'll never be blazing fast. Mine was simply preparedness & needing to not bite off more than I wanted to chew.

It's our opinion that the camaraderie of a club, the friends at the races, the beer other people buy & all the training/racing knowledge & benefit that comes with it is missing a bit in the "one & done" crowd as well as those who rush straight to HIM/IM. If the "one & dones" had more exposure into those things - they might not be "one & done".

But hey, I want to go skydiving...and I DAMN SURE don't intend to do that more than once. The youth is the future of the world, but that doesn't make you smarter, or faster, or able to go further. It may just make you a more costly Medicare patient when your joints are being replaced. Everest isn't usually the first mountain-climbing effort people make.
AW

Endoone

Apr 10, 12 17:00

Post #36 of 54 (1046 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I left road cycling because I was tired of self absorbed egos and find they are just as prevalent in the world of amateur triathletes. What a let down.

Symonds

Apr 10, 12 18:15

Post #37 of 54 (1005 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks for the kind words Nick,

Brad Lee, Gord Spelay, Steve King and many others, were super helpful in not only teaching me about triathlon but helping me build a passion for it. It a pleasure for me to be a part of and give back to the Penticton Tri Club. Hopefully I can help others not just get complete an Ironman or Olympic Distance, but help them to develop a passion for the both the sport and lifestyle and stick with it.

-Jeff

"I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it." -Steve Prefontaine
Orbea - Orca - Shimano - PRO - The Bike Barn - Powerbar - Endurance Planner - Asics - Ryders Eyewear - Blog - Follow Me On Twitter

realAlbertan

Apr 10, 12 18:27

Post #38 of 54 (993 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [elecengrman] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Quote:

16:58

Its all relative... I'm not showing up to struggle to a 12 hour 140.6, if I have a mechanical or a problem I'll live with it. We all know what we can do and I'd rather race each distance with my "A" game. Part of my reasons for not having raced one is the early sell outs, a few summers before we had kids I had time to train but IMC was sold out. I might race a non WTC 140.6 as my first since I can commit much later in the game.

As for the bucket list thing I raced an ITU race with Docherty and Whitfied back in 03 so that tops an IM finish IMO.
___________________________________________
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Mexpedip

Apr 10, 12 18:47

Post #39 of 54 (981 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

Clearly you don't have a fucking clue what we are talking about.....

And as far as tri clubs having wannabe coaches well how about these guys who came out of the biggest tri club in Oz..The Cronulla tri club boasts Greg Welch,Michellie Jones,Craig Alexander,Macca,Peter Robertson,the famous Southey family...My old tri club in Cairns had Brad Beven(19 time ITU Champion) as our fastest member...The Penticton Tri Club has acces to Tom Evans,Kevin Cutjar,Jeff Symonds,Jonathan Caron helping with lectures and advice, the president is the Ironman Canada Race Director and the great man Steve King gives all kinds of lecture on sports pshycology...I could go on and on about the amazing talent available to newbies by joining a tri club but I'm sure it isn't worth my time..

www.cronullatriclub.com.au

www.clubcroc.net.au

www.pentictontriathlonclub.com

I for one, am not looking back at time gone by so much, as to wishing more people would join a tri club so more triathletes can experience the kind of community spirit that clubs like these have RIGHT NOW!!

==

First let me say that I came across too aggressive and for that I apologize.

I completely understand what you are talking about but unfortunately you are missing what I am talking about. Tri clubs have a place but the tri community is changing, quickly. What I mean by this is if you look at the vast majority of people getting involved in tri it has nothing to do with wanting to win an age group or even be competitive in their respective age group, the race is a validation of their training and a solid goal to work towards verses just going to a gym to exercise.

The tri clubs you have been part of are truly amazing. With that said they are not something I or the average (probably making too broad of a generalization) triathlete would feel comfortable belonging to. Too many great athletes that are not on the same plan I am on. That is in no way a meant to be disrespectful to their accomplishments but how would the average triathlete be comfortable training with full time triathletes? I can't relate to their goals, training, concerns etc and they can't relate to mine. With that said, the local tri groups/clubs I have been exposed to around my home have had too many wannabe coaches who expect me to change my training plan to fit their club. In short, I have had no positive experiences with tri clubs. I do, however, have several good friends who I train with, occasionally.

In regards to the original question of timing for longer distances, I know I have no desire to do the shorter races but do them in preparation for HIM and full IM. I don't think they in any way add value to my training but I do them more to spend time with friends. At the same time you or for that matter, anyone, can't say there are too many people in longer distance races who do not prepare adequately without acknowledging the the same problem is not even more prevalent in short distance races. I have watched people doggy paddle through the 400m swim, ride the bike course like it's a short relaxing ride around the park and barely finish before the cutoff time. I think the main difference in perspective is that I have more respect for those people then I do for the ones who finish in the front of the pack. The BoP people may not have prepared enough in training or expectations but they are going way outside their normal comfort zone. That takes a lot of courage and deserves respect. The same is true for longer distances. The most fun I have when volunteering at IMWI is in the 16th hour. Some "athletes" who cross the finish line in the 16th hour definitely don't look like someone who just spent the last year preparing for an IM, the others are the ones who, at some point, had their plan fall apart for any number of reasons. One of those people this year had to run the last four miles of the bike after crashing and rendering his bike inoperable. Each of those groups deserve our respect and admiration for finishing a very tough race.

Last point, I have known several Kona qualifiers and a bunch (I am to lazy to count them) more one and done IM participants. Most of the one and done (one qualified for Kona and won her AG) athletes I know made that decision after going through the training and the race. There is no way to really understand the commitment involved until you go through it. Everything looks great on paper and looks like it is easy enough to fit into your schedule. For example, a 6 hour bike ride is roughly equivalent to a round of golf (OK, 2 rounds if I start early enough but don't tell my wife) on a Saturday morning. The difference being that after the round of golf I have no problem mowing the lawn, doing other activities with my wife and kids or any other number of things. When I get done with a 6 hour bike ride I am exhausted and will wind up wasting another few hours "recovering".

Again, please accept my apology for making my original post so aggressive. I have seen the "good old days" attitude ruin one sport for a lot of people and I would hate to see it happen again.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigar in hand, favorite beverage in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, 'WOO HOO, what a ride!' author unknown

Allie

Apr 10, 12 18:47

Post #40 of 54 (981 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I don't think all "newbies" want to accomplish an IM. Hell, I don't ever care to run another marathon for as long as I live.
I enjoy the competition, I am MOP, I am busy, I have a life outside of training and work and graduate school.

Not everyone wants to be an Ironman. I prefer Sprint and Oly distances and tend to do well at them. I am purely ok with that.

I don't see why it matters to anyone what someone else chooses to do in the first place....I am not paying for their gear and fees...so go for it.

Life is way too short for me to get in a twist about what someone else chooses to set as a goal.

I like my triclub and they are super people and really fun to be around; but I train alone. I like it that way. I have my specific stuff that needs to be done and I get that done when I can so I don't interfere with family commitments. They are mostly single, younger than I am and can devote their days and nights to hours and hours of whatever they do. Good on 'em.
(this is where I find having a coach quite helpful btw. I do what matters most for the time I have.)

plainsman

Apr 10, 12 19:00

Post #41 of 54 (969 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I think it's an individual thing. I did my first full in my 3rd season of racing, and didn't even get into triathlon until I was married with kids, just something I had always wanted to do. I remember watching Mike Pigg race Kona and thinking, that looks really cool.

First year I did a Sprint, and finishing was an accomplishment. Looked for a new challenge at end of the season and did an Oly with an ocean swim. Again, finishing was the goal.

Season 2, aimed for a half mid season, to see if I could do it. Great feeling, had a blast, no regrets.

Season 3, hired a coach and trained for a full, looking for a new challenge. Again, great memories, loved the experience.

Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with that. Now I'm in season 6, still love triathlon, and planning my next full. Each new challenge was a great experience, and pushed me further along in the sport. Now, I'm sure a full my first season would have probably sunk me, with the possible exception of the swim, but I have friends who don't do triathlon but can bike a century at the blink of an eye, or run 30+ miles and then run again the next day. I figure they could probably tackle a full in a season if they set their minds to it. If checking something off of their bucket list was their goal, I would have no issue with that. My only concern is for the person who is totally untrained/unprepared and jumps into a full as their first race - I would fear for their safety and wellbeing.

Life IS an endurance sport. Finish Well
www.fwe1.net

drsteve

Apr 10, 12 20:00

Post #42 of 54 (944 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Circumstances differ.
I'm doing a IM this year and it's my second season. I have already raced a 70.3. Am I a tri newbie? Yes. Am I new to road biking, open water swimming or running? No. Was I competitive in my first (sprint) triahtlon? Yes. And I was fairly mid-pack in the 70.3, but loved it.
The 70.3 distance is actually a large motivating factor. The length of the ride and run (strengths of mine) are sufficient to balance my relative weakness in the water (where I'm more MOP). Think about people getting into running... should everyone start with a 200m? A 400m? Maybe we should all run miles until we can "move up". Anyone that wants to run should be allowed to pick their distance and work toward it. I'm happy that I've achieved in my running at different distances (including a 4:17 mile and a 1:36 1/2 marathon in mountains), but to target a marathon does not require sprinting prowess. There needs to be a build to the distance, but some people get into the sport with a goal that doesn't match yours - deal with it. Also, I've chosen to do Ironman Wales as a fundraiser for uveitis - a disease. The bigger the goal the more people are inspired to get involved with your cause, and I know I can do it. If you want to judge me for that and say it's too soon, then fine, have your opinion but know that I don't care.

Will I be a "one and done" at the 140.6 distance? Maybe (probably, even). My plan is to continue racing the shorter distances (70.3 down) and to do more bike racing. No matter how much I enjoy the Ironman experience when it happens, I don't have the time to commit to training to be competitive at that distance, and I like to be competitive.

Anyway, now I've got that out of my system, please disregard and carry on. :-)

Some of us "newbies" know what we're getting into, and until you know an individual's background and motivation then anything like the OP here is a sweeping generalization that means nothing. For the record, I have been getting involved with my local tri club. Anyone who wants to get into any sport should be encouraged, and if they come in uninformed then they should get informed in a polite and friendly way. Don't tar us all with the same brush and say because we're new we can hardly S/B/R and we'll burn out.
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AnthonyS

Apr 10, 12 21:28

Post #43 of 54 (914 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Well this is my 3rd season. I have a lot in common with Travis. I actually just kind of let myself go in college when I was too small to continue in football and hurt my shoulder and couldn't throw a baseball anymore. Even 10 years in the Navy didn't do a lot for my fitness really.

This is my 3rd season of triathlon. My first season, was hey look at me I did a triathlon (albeit very slowly). I had friends that have done sprints They encouraged me to give it a try. I liked it.

Last season was my 2nd season. I got hurt carrying things and stepping off a curve of all things. I didn't hurt my ankle running, but just walking. It was a huge setback considering I'm trying to get smaller, faster and in shape all at the same time.

This season is my first season of serious training. I am now training 6 days a week, getting 2, 3 and 3 training sessions in and some weeks 3, 3, 3. Today I swam a mile and ran 4 miles at lunch. No way I could have done that last season even. I was still able to walk comfortably up and down the stairs at the ballpark tonight too. Go Rangers! Two years ago after a 4 mile run, I'd have been out of commission for at least 48 hours. Now I'll be riding and running tomorrow morning.

Every triathlete is at a different point in their fitness and life. That's the beauty of triathlon. On race day we all get to run our own individual races together.

I joined a tri team this season too. They are great encouraging and energizing people. I get complimented all the time by guys and gals on how I am improving while striving to be fast enough to match their slow paces.

I'm doing my first Olympic in two weeks. If it weren't for the dang hill climb on the bike I wouldn't be worried at all. I'm doing another Oly, two more sprints then my first 70.3 (non WTC) race in September. I will be ready. I'm leaning towards IM L'ville in '13. I think I can do it too. Will I break 0 hours? Probably not, but I won't be finishing in 16:59 either. I'm honestly not worried about the 70.3 now. If I improve as much over the next four months as I have the previous four, I have already won.

If someone has a beef with me doing a 70.3 before they think I should, that's really their mental hurdle to overcome and not mine.

One of my favorite things about triathlon is seeing the Champions cheer on the finishers. Macca and Chrissie don't have this lame attitude, why do some STers? Well that's not my issue, it's theirs. I've already decided then when I am faster than MOP, I'm going to go cheer and help others who are in a similar situation as I was two years ago. If I can encourage people having a bad race to try again, that will be success for me. If I can do it, anyone can. And I will do it. I just need to stick with the plan. I have the next 16 months of training all mapped out, I just need to execute.
--------------------------------------------------------

You will remain the same person, before, during and after the race. So the result, no matter how important, will not define you. The journey is what matters. ~ Chrissie W.

Ultra-tri-guy

Apr 10, 12 21:51

Post #44 of 54 (906 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [AnthonyS] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I think you (and many others) are mistaking our point of view as some sort of elitist thing instead of what it is and that is a dumbfounded headshake at why a person would want to dive into the deep end of the endurance pool without giving their bodies a chance to adapt to the training required.Personally I don't care because I've seen bike tourists go from sedentary to trans continental bike tours with no training..and how they suffered!!

I will happily cheer the 16hrs shufflers who are "one and done" but I would never advise anyone WHO IS NOT ADEQUATELY PREPARED to line up to do an Ironman let alone someone who has absolutely no clue about the sport at all.I know plenty of people who have done Ironman Canada as their first ever triathlon but all of them did a shitload of training.I also know a bunch of people who have done a bunch of Ironmans and tried,after a few years off,to do one untrained and they hurt like the dickens.Hell I have done that.It is not the fact that they are stepping up straight into the long stuff,it is the concern that they are jumping into something that they have not prepared for adequately.

I know a guy who was a one and done season guy.In his first(and last) triathlon season he did the Half Iron in Forster in Oz to qualify him for Ironman Oz.In Ironman Oz he ran 2:50 and did 9:08ish and qualified for Kona.In Kona he did 10hrs and ran 2:46.He then promptly retired from triathlon and went back to Ultra-running..I'm not about to give Dave a hard time about being a one season guy and ticking off his "one and done' Kona,because he had done the work and understood what he was facing.The same can't be said for so many newbies who don't have a clue what they are doing but sign up for what is supposed to be the hardest one day event on the planet..to me that is just plain silly.

...but if you all want to then go for it.

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Endoone

Apr 11, 12 10:22

Post #45 of 54 (827 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I disagree, I don't think you true ironmen are just worried about us newbies. I think it's that you're upset that you have to register for an event within 10 minutes a year in advance.

OneGoodLeg

Apr 11, 12 10:58

Post #46 of 54 (793 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Endoone] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

That's part of it... the increased demand tends to crowd out others who may take the whole enterprise more seriously, either by taking up entry slots or just driving up prices, or both. And then there's the traffic/safety aspect of it, as you get more and more bodies out on the course, many of whom have no clue about how to swim/ride without being a menace to those around them.

To the point about Pros cheering on the hacks... Sure, they seem like cool people and probably genuinely care to try and promote their sport/livelihood at all levels... BUT, they also aren't competing with the masses for entry slots or space in the water/out on the course, etc, so there's zero for them to resent. either.

Tri-livin

Apr 11, 12 11:12

Post #47 of 54 (778 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Stindiana] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

You can all criticize this all you want.. I can somewhat understand where you are coming from.. however, this is my take on it.

I'm young, just finished college as an athlete (not s/b/r). I needed to find something to do after my athletic days were done, so I signed up for my first sprint. Upon finishing it, I was hooked. I researched all I could about the sport and of course found out about the Ironman.. It was my goal to one day complete this distance in my life long journey through out the sport....

Fast forward to 5 months later, after consistent training 6 days a week and still loving every second of it... There was a message on Face book about Ironman Louisville opening up for registration... I for some magical reason had just enough in my account to cover the charge... I thought about it for a day and realized.. why would I wait.. I know this is what I want to do and I know I love the sport.... I know one day I want to qualify for kona, so why not start that long journey now? You only have one life.. what is the reason to wait? I know some will call me crazy for just jumping right in... but you know what, this is what I do every day after work.. It is my goal and dream.. Why wouldn't I chase that dream when the opportunity presents itself... I have no regrets of signing up and fully expect this to lead into quite the life long journey. That's my take on first year Ironman.
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sstephen

Apr 11, 12 12:26

Post #48 of 54 (746 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

It seems odd that people are almost getting offended that some use Ironman as a challenge and create this horrible, "one and done" crowd, when from my perspective, you should be honored that people consider your sport to be at that level or something that people would commonly put on a bucketlist.

I signed up for Ironman Canada before ever seeing a triathlon raced, knowing how to swim or done anything endurance past a half marathon. I have never trained with a club, gone on a group ride, joined a masters swimming club or had a coach...it worries me to think what the folks from the good ol' days would think.

Why cant we all just get along.

(This post was edited by sstephen on Apr 11, 12 12:27)

marktt

Apr 11, 12 12:59

Post #49 of 54 (717 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

Have you not been paying attention,some of us have been saying variations of this for years,hell every third post by Fleck says exactly that....

Ironman jumped the shark a whle ago and the "one and done" crowd will soon outnumber the repeat Iron-geeks before too long.The industry,no doubt,is just loving it but it is one thing that is pushed me off the Iron-bandwagon.

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Ultra-tri-guy

Apr 11, 12 14:14

Post #50 of 54 (686 views)

Re: Half and Full to soon? [Endoone] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Endoone wrote:

I disagree, I don't think you true ironmen are just worried about us newbies. I think it's that you're upset that you have to register for an event within 10 minutes a year in advance.

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Not me,I don't do M-Dot events anymore,I do however volunteer at them and will be doing some commentary at IMC this year.I prefer to turn up at independant Iron distance races and Ultras.

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