Hey everyone…first post here in Slowtwitch but been a long time reader/viewer.
I signed up for my second Ironman Triathlon in Boulder for 2015, but since i reside in Arizona, I would also like to tackle IMAZ in 2015 as well. I know my current work situation will allow me to train for both as I work from home and do not travel and will also have 4 weeks of vacation time.
Additional reasoning behind this is I think I can use my training for boulder to launch into IMAZ training (after recovery of course) and aim for a really good PR. My first IM, which was AZ, i finished in the mid-12 hr mark. My goal next year would be to get close to 11, ideally under but I know my abilities and that would be a stretch.
Looking for some opinions and/or experiences, other things to consider, etc. on this goal of mine from others here who have done 2 IM’s in one year.
I did Boulder this year, and am in the final stages of training for IMAZ next month. Swung over to Mt. Tremblant for the 70.3 World’s in between. I’m feeling great, and fully recovered. We’ll see if I truly am come race day. But I think it’s fine if you’ve got the training time available and can sustain the motivation.
I did Ironman Maryland and Ironman Chattanooga eight days part so, yeah, your plans is doable. I did 13 hours at IMMD but had food poisoning which was awesome. Went 12:03 at IMCHOO the next week and was happy.
Keep in mind that my perspective is clearly biased by being a pro. But in 2009, I did IMC & IMAZ, which is pretty close to the same timing at Boulder/AZ. You actually have it a bit better because Boulder is earlier than Canada was. But, in my own experience, the timing was great. I got a good fitness kick from IMC that allowed me to be ready for IMAZ much more quickly than I got ready for IMC. The key is, I think, to be patient after Boulder. You’ve got a LOT of time. Don’t panic. Just start doing “something” after about a week or two and truncate your really focused training down by a couple weeks.
Boulder will likely be especially taxing on you because you do not live at altitude. So respect that when it comes to recovery.
I did Boulder this year, and am in the final stages of training for IMAZ next month. Swung over to Mt. Tremblant for the 70.3 World’s in between. I’m feeling great, and fully recovered. We’ll see if I truly am come race day. But I think it’s fine if you’ve got the training time available and can sustain the motivation.
Similar experience last year with Hy-Vee and 70.3 WC back to back, then IMLT, then US Open, then Arizona. That’s 8 weeks total. Eat right, recover well, toe the line…
I did IM Boulder and am also doing IMAZ, and like others, did things in between, in my case Steelhead 70.3, a couple half marathons, a couple marathons, IM Wisconsin and IM Chattanooga. For what it’s worth, I PRd at Boulder, then IMOO and then again at Chattanooga (although it seems like everyone did at CHOO). Boulder and AZ are far enough apart that you can definitely keep the fitness and aim for a PR at AZ. I will see you at both next year.
