hi there,
just happened to stumble across this.
i see no one has responded on this thread except to link you to another....that,while had some great points, it also had some pretty annoying responses in it.
i particularly hate the "sure you could, but why would you responses"...and the "my child is now all grown and i miss them, don't do it" responses.
i think we're in a shockingly similar place. i'm also expecting this fall with baby #2 and #3 (surprise). my first child, a daughter, will turn 2 in august. I was also competitive before kids (kona and competitive in local races, as you mention).
there are many reasons that a person would want to do an IM so soon after having a baby. you and i both know those reasons because we're contemplating registering, right? chief among mine is that I have been pregnant or nursing for three straight years. I plan on continuing to nurse my twins and I am ready to try to fit in something for ME. I, like you, would't be aiming to have an amazing time. I just want to get back into the IM game. I'm fearful that if I'm out of it for too long, i'll never get it back. ...and i LIKE the me that does IM. I am confident and happy and content. endurance sport is a large part of who I am. I want my kids to grow up knowing mom is an athlete and, hopefully, being inspired by that. i want to be their hero.
with all that being said, i'm not willing to be an MIA mom to my kids. ...and i'm not willing to sacrifice nursing my kids until they are one. so, i understand that my training couldn't be what it was pre-kids. as such, my time won't be the same, likely.
i got pregnant with my first about a month after kona. i had a great, no complications pregnancy and got back into training shortly after having her. on 7-10 hours of training a week I was able to PR the 70.3 distance by a significant margin and go to the 70.3 champs. my daughter was at the finish line for both. i was able to stop and kiss her along the way during the run course both times. they are my most meaningful race memories ever. I remember being very grateful that i had only signed up for a 70.3. my goal was to pr the 70.3 distance and I'm fortunate that i was able to do it.
with all that being said, i'm drawn to the IM registerations this year. i think it's the three years I've been out. again, i'm afraid the longer i go without doing one, the less likely it will be that i get back to it...
so, like you, i'm trying to figure out do i register for a fall 2015 IM or do i stick with another fast 70.3 goal? not sure.
a friend of mine had a baby in jan 2013 and did IM MT in aug 2013 and qualified for kona. it can be done. however, she was up at 4-5am most mornings to get her workout in before her kiddo woke up. she, i believe, has a nanny and is able to work from home a lot so she can see her daughter during the day. which, makes training easier. so, i think it will take an extraordinary amount of discipline, work flexibility and (not to be forgotten) a really great, understanding, supportive, award winning partner....like, truly, your partner has to be worthy of the noble peace prize in order to swing it. mine is. so, i'm lucky.
so, thanks for letting me commisserate. i'd love to know what you've decided or will decide and then maybe let's keep in touch. feel free to pm me.
all the best!
http://www.hooslisa.com