1/2 IM - Am I crazy?

Triathlon Forum
1

In a shameless attempt to justify the purchase of an expensive bike, I have announced to my family and friends that I’m am going to do a 1/2 IM on August 1st. My triathlon experience is limited to 3 sprint/oly distance tris done in the late 80’s in which I was a solid middle of the pack finisher. I haven’t been a total coach potato since then having done some running and cycling over the years but never both at the same time. I think I am doing OK so far but I need some feedback on how I am doing and exactly what I have bitten off here.

I’ve been training for the last several months but have not yet really buckled down yet. Here’s where I am in terms of my current abilities: Swimming - I’m not worried about the swim. I have a competitive swimming background and while I need to get the cobwebs out, I’ll be OK in the water.

Bike - I’m up to one ride a week of 60 miles at a 19-20 mph pace (by myself). All I have time for during the week are 20-25 mile rides.

Run - this is my weak spot. I’m basically an 8:00 per mile “jogger.” I’ve done one 25K and a couple of 10 mile runs but those were all over 10 years ago. Right now my “long” runs are 45 minutes without too much difficulty but I have a ways to go before I’ll feel comfortable starting a 13 mile run after a 56 mile ride.

I’m going to do an Oly distance tri in June as a tune-up which will give me a lot of feedback but I’m curious now as to exactly what I have gotten myself into. Here’s my question - am I on track (assuming I keep up my training between now and August) or have I gotten myself in over my head? Any other helpful advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

STP

2

Doesn’t sound that crazy to me. You have more tris under your belt than I do, and I have a 1/2 coming up this weekend. :slight_smile:

As far as your training plan goes though, I think you at a minimum want to have at least one long ride a week (~3 hours) and one longer run (90+ minutes) a week. That in addition to the other stuff you’re doing and you should be just fine, imo.

3

IF my experience last year tells you anything it is that you can do it…

Jan. 03 I weighed 250, been on my fat ass for 10 years. Started running a bit.

March 03 - started swimming 1500 yards a couple times a week. Have a competitive swimming backgound like you, so picked up the stroke fast, but had to work the endurance.

April 03 - started going to spinning class. Really started focusing on training

May 03 decide I’m gonna do a 1/2 IM. Really start focusing on tri training.

Late June 03 - get on the bike for the first time, do a sprint tri.

July & Aug. - keep training and do a few Olys

Early Aug 03 - goof off at the beach and re-damage my ACL.

Mid Spet. 03 - do the 1/2 IM 5:30 finish. Swim = good, bike = fair to good (but really needed more seat time), run = terrible.

What i learned = my traing was adequate (though should have put more time on the road bike), my mental prep could use some improvement, my nutritional plan sucked (really there was no plan) and my ability to know pace did not exist.

All this said leads me to beliee you can do this, but you gotta concentrate and plan.