I am planning on doing a half Ironman on Sept 25 which is 6 weeks before Florida Ironman Nov 7. Do I try to race it (full out to see where I am at) or plan on using it as a training run? Suggestions?
thanks
Kerry
I am also doing IMF 04, but on Nov 6/04…but anyways I am doing a TEST half ironman on Sept 11th near Minniapolis to get an idea of where I stand. Meaning I will use my EXACT game plan for the half as the full. This should give me a good idea of where I am. I.E. half time multiplied by two add 30-45min and that will give me my full time??? Roughly of course.
Trevor
That seems perfect to me - 6 weeks should be enough time to recover and a good opportunity to gauge your fitness and test your IM nutrition plan. I would think racing it would be fine unless you are worried about injury or illness for some reason. My $.02.
Is this your first IM? Your first 1/2 IM?
What is your IM goal - i.e. survival or Kona slot?
Florida is my first IM. I am doing an half in 3 weeks just to feel how it out. I just ran a marathon in 3.08, and swim 1 mile in 27.00 (in pool training) and I am aiming to go the 112 bike in around 6hrs. So I am thinking about doing the half 6 weeks before in what my Ironman goal pacing would be, ie 32 min swim, 3 hr bike, 2 hr half with transitions, etc 30 mins (extra) to give a 6hr half in relation to a 12 hr IM. Sound like a plan?!?!?!
thanks
Kerry
Kerry…you’ll go faster than 6 hours considering those other times you posted. Unless conditions are really bad, or you don’t bike well. I doubt I could run a 3:08 marathon, but 2 hours on the run on a half-iron distance isn’t hard to me. Either you’re overestimating your ability to do a 6 hour bike in an ironman, or, you’ll be more along the lines of 5:15 in a half! If you have a 32 minute swim, 2:45 bike (especially if you can do 6 in an ironman), and 1:45 run, plus 13 minutes of transition time plus a quick picnik, any you are in the barn at 5-and-change!
I just did it Satuday, the Caliman 1/2 five weeks before IM CDA. I wouldn’t race it all out because the recovery time will be longer and will throw off your training plan.
Dave
I’m doing florida this year too. It will be my first IM as well. I’ll also be doing a half in Sept. (Diamondman probably) to gauge where I’m at. I agree with the other guy… if those splits are legit you can go much faster than 6 hours.
I’ve done one half IM… in 5:12. And, all of those times are about the same or better than mine in practice. My swim is about 30 min. My bike about the same. My run is slower than yours (done one marathon to date: 3:53).
You’ll do fine in your half. Wouldn’t happen to be Eagleman would it? I’ll be there too.
Overall I’m gonna follow about the same formula. See how I do in my halves this year… double it… add 30-60 min.
And… if that doesn’t work… I’ll just hope to meet my backup goal: to finish.
If you are questioning your schedule, I should really be worried. I am doing IMFL and also a half IM on Sept. 25 followed by Twin Cities Marathon the week after (Oct 3?). Also, my first triathlon in over 20 years will be the Pigman 1/2 IM in August.
My plan is to use the 1/2 IMs as preparation for IMFL. TCM will be a cruising race this year.
So, am I nuts? Or will these races be good preparation for IMFL?
Frank
Just an opinion, but I think you might be pushing it doing a marathon that close to IM. I did IMFL a couple of years ago and wanted to get a good marathon in that fall because I’d had a bad one earlier in the year, so I did Portland 6 weeks before. My coach, who knows a hell of a lot more than me, strongly discouraged it. Finally gave in when I agreed to soak my legs in icewater immediately after the marathon (that was a lot of fun while everyone else was hanging at the finish line!) and get a couple of massages in between. I think it helped me enough mentally to make it worthwhile, but I don’t think I’d do it any closer than 6 weeks.
Geek- Thanks for the reply. The marathon will definitely be an easy effort. My background is strong in marathoning (55 or so total to date) and I’ve done nearly all of the TCMs. Therefore, I don’t want to miss it and will use it as a training run for IMFL. I still don’t understand how you guys do a marathon after that bike ride, but, I’ll try to figure it our. Thanks again.
Ahh…then I think you will be fine as long as you don’t push it and do whatever you can to recover well. 
It is the Kokopelli Half in Utah on Sept 25 that I am doing, any other ones I should think of instead that weekend?
Kerry
Off the top of my head, Harvest Moon (not sure of the date this year, but September in the past) in Denver area and Grand Columbian in Washington. Two western ones. I did Harvest Moon their first year and they had some logistical problems - wind blowing buoys out so they had to shorten the swim. And a terrible time getting results/responses. But I’m hoping they have that stuff cleared up now. The Grand Columbian (Sept. 18) is in its first year but looks to be a good race. I believe the RD posts on this board - he can give more info. I don’t know anything about the Kokopelli one - not recommending anything above it - just a couple more options.