Age 48; Weight 158 pounds this morning; 10 years in the sport, first IM 2015; 9-12 hours per week training; 2009 Cervelo P2 with HED deep-rim front wheel and brand-new FLO deep-rim rear wheel (haven't raced on the FLO wheel yet).

I pulled it off — i just switched from penticton to Texas

From my experience these are things that helped me improve:
- Race selection. It needs to suit your strengths and needs to be a fast one. The difference between slower races like Lanzarote and the fastest like Florida or Barcelona are huge.
- Consistency. If you are consistent with training over multiple years you'll get better
- Frequency. If you train more often you will improve. Going from 2/2/2 to 3/3/3/ or 4/4/4
- Volume. With more volume you will improve. Tracking how you spend your time might help you optimise and finding more time.
- Manage intensity. Have high intensity but not too much. Too much will get you injured or sick. Consistency is the most important thing.
- Get a coach if you don't have one.
- Better equipment can get you a lot of speed on the bike
- Better pacing at the race (don't swim or bike too hard)
- Better race nutrition (a little more liquids, a lot more carbs. 90g of carbs per hour or more)

you get your best bang for buck in running... 30 miles is even low. perhaps train for an open marathon that takes place 2 months before the IM... typical bq person does about 50mpw+

I pulled it off — i just switched from penticton to Texas

I like this answer. Just run more.

I have nine children.

I wish this was an option! Penticton is a two hour drive. The race is so convenient and works out way cheaper for me than any other options (no flight, less time in hotels, no time off work etc.). Ironman is already so expensive and fairly hard to justify putting money into (I have nine children and the first two are now in university, so margins are tight). Ideally I would love to travel to races, it's just not an option right now. I even got a roll-down spot for Nice but had to turn it down for financial reasons.