I’m 19 and I did my first Half-Iron last Saturday in 4:38 and was left wanting more. I’ve been thinking about giving Ironman a go, but I’ve been getting mixed advice. What do ya’ll think?
I hate you! 4:38? You must have won your AG, right? If you still had gas at the end of the race, you could have gone faster or longer then…is that what you’re saying? Go for IM! Not many guys your age doing IM’s as far as I know! You could be looking at a Kona slot!
It depends on your long-term goals, and even if you have long-term goals.
If you want to be really good in the sport, you should stay away from IM racing and work on getting faster at Olympic Distance, and limit your Half-IM racing. Save your first IM for when you’re 22-23 and open up with a sub-9 performance.
If you want to just enjoy the now, and think you won’t be doing triathlons in 5-10 years, then sure, go and race IM, enjoy yourself.
IM is much more of a life committment that the other distances in tri. I did an IM at 21 with the intention of going into and just enjoying the experience because I didn’t know when I would be able to do that distance again as I was moving and starting a job. I did come out of that season feeling a little burned out though.
What do your next 3 or 4 summers look like? I would consider waiting, race tons of sprint a handful of olympics and a Half-IM or two each season. The years of base will add up when you try that first IM.
That said, if you just want to do an IM and might not be in triathlon in 3 or 4 years, go for it and enjoy.
ooo I’m 19 too! Congrats on you halfIM.
Great time. Time to step up if your personal life can support.
I’m not 19, I am happy when my bike split is 4:38 (well, okay a bit faster than that), and am doing IM. Othwise, listen to Paulo, he is right…