With the threads on overcrowding, performance standards etc… Im wondering, why is everyone new to the sport in such a rush to get one done? I waited 3 years and had 4 half’s under my belt, as I felt it was the best thing for me. I went into the race feeling prepared. I would have been scared any other way. So to newbies, Im curious, why in such a hurry?
I agree. I just finished my first season of tri and am in no hurry to do an IM distance race. I will prolly do a 1/2 next year this time but that is a big maybe. I want to become competitive in the Sprints and Olys and actually be capable of an 11 hour ironman before I attempt one. Being out their for 14 hours does not excited me. Besides, it’s all about the journey right?
I agree. I don’t know what the rush is.
People come into the sport, which is great to see, but within a year or two they are signing up for an IM race. Obviously this is not something we can control and restict and people are free to do what they want to do, but it is not advisable. Also, there are many who only do IM - they may not do another race all year. Some local races are hurting for entries, but all these folks focus on is the one IM race they are signed up for. Again, nothing wrong with this as people are free to do whatever they want, but it would be better for the overall development of the sport if they raced more locally. It would also be better for them, as racing IS the best form of training. I see it as win-win.
I did my first tri in 1981 and my first IM in 1989, so 8 years for me.
IM presents a great challenge and the thought of participating (and finishing) is motivating to people. You waited 3 years…good for you.
Touch a nerve?
I’m in no hurry to do an IM. I did my first tri in '01, and I’ve done 4 half IM, 2 Oly and a slew of sprint races of varying distances. I thought about doing an IM this year with a friend, but I decided not to for a couple of reasons. The two biggest reasons are that I need my family to support my IM effort 100%, and I’m still struggling at the half IM distance. My wife doesn’t mind me doing the shorter races, but when I’m half IM training and gone quite a bit, she doesn’t like that. She doesn’t say much, and I’m able to get my training in, but she doesn’t like it. She doesn’t really support my training; she tolerates it. Until she supports it, I’ll have a hard time training enough for an IM.
I’m improving at the half IM distance, but I’m still slow. I’ve done well (for me) swimming and biking, but I still can’t run the run in a half. My first one (in '02) was 7:43. It was my fourth tri ever, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was way out of my league. Now I’m down to 6:16, but I’m still having trouble running. If I could get my run times down, I could post a decent time. I don’t want to do an IM until I can handle a half better. Walking 13 miles is miserable enough; I couldn’t imagine walking 26.
I would like to do an IM one day, but not for a while. In fact, I’m planning on taking next year off from half IM races and focusing on 10K’s and Oly distance races. I think I need to get faster at the shorter stuff before moving up to the long stuff.
One reason people are in a rush to do an IM is because, I believe, so many people equate IM with “real triathlon.” Just yesterday, I was talking to a non-triathlete friend and somehow the subject came around to triathlon, and Hawaii was mentioned. My buddy said, “Ironman – that’s the real triathlon, right?” I think that’s the way a lot of people think, triathletes included – that you aren’t a “real triathlete” until you’ve done an IM. I don’t buy that at all.
I think IM is a natural step in a person’s evolution as a triathlete. I see an IM in my future, but not until my family is behind me and I can deal with Oly and half IM races better.
RP
I figure to each his own. But for me, I plan on waiting. I turn 40 in 2 years and plan on an Ironman sometime that year. That will give me 4 years experience. I have done two 1/2’s too early and didnt reach my goals either time. I have a certain finish time in my mind and don’t want to sign up until I think I can meet it.
In my mind an Iron Distance Triathlon is the ultimate in our sport. I want to make it as good of an experience as possible and for me thats making sure I’m experienced, and fully prepared both physically and mentally.
Dennis
I’ve been running pretty exclusively for the past 25 years and have done a ton of marathons in that time. While I am still doing a couple marathons per year, my motivation to train for them has dwindled sighificantly in the last 5-6 years. I may not focus on triathlon at all after this year. Hopefully, this year off from “racing” a marathon will help my motivation to run next year.
I guess I’m doing IMFL this year in an attempt to regain some motivation. The fear of the magnitude of an IM has kept me very motivated this year. I don’t believe that I would have been nearly as motivated to do shorter races. Having done 55-60 marathons and knowing how they can feel when you are fresh and tapered at the start makes me wonder how I will even get through one after 112 on the bike.
I am truly what Slowman refers to as a Visitor.
I think people who are interested in racing IM, as opposed to completing one, would be best served by waiting several years.
After drinking the cool-aid at IMCDA this year, I’ve started formulating a 5 year IM plan. . .
There is tremendous pressure to do one due to very effective marketing and the annual TV coverage. So doing one has become the Holly Grail of Triathlon. It is almost as if you don’t have a choice lest you never grow tired of people asking ‘so when are you doing an Iroman’? Some may want to get it out of the way ASAP and or get fooled into believing it is a ‘must’ or will be a life altering event.
Not at all. I began competing a few years ago and all of the events were sprints (I live in central FL and during season you can find one every weekend). This year I did my first OLY (St. As), and also did 2 Halfs (FL Half and Vineman). I did well and can appreciate the longer distance events. I’m registered for IM FL in Nov, and also IM AZ in April. I’m not in a “hurry”, just motivated.
One reason people are in a rush to do an IM is because, I believe, so many people equate IM with “real triathlon.”<<
Yes, I get this a lot. “Is your race the ‘full’ triathlon?” Yes, it’s an ironman race, or no, it’s the distance of the one in the Olympics.
First tri: 1987 (team)
First solo tri: 1990
First IM attempt: 2000
clm
I posted a similar thread not so long ago … then I completely changed my opinion b/c my “racing plan” (and training preferences) didn’t agree with my family/living/work schedule and training preferences.
I had planned to do a shorter race every 2-3 weeks in the summer … or about 6-8 throughout the summer. After sitting down with my wife and talking about it. Me being gone every 3 weeks racing while her and our two young kids stay home wasn’t the best thing for the family. Hauling them all over the state so I could race for 1-3.5 hours wasn’t in our best interest … emotionally nor financially either.
So, I basically came to the realization that the racing that best fits my situation is to race 1-2 races per summer. 1-2 short races for a whole year of training doesn’t really stoke my fire. But, Training a whole year for a 1/2IM and an IM race keeps the training purposeful and highly motivated (because those distances are very challenging to me).
Then, through further training it is apparent that I am no speed demon … but I can sustain my pace for quite a while. In other words endurance is my strong point (if you could call it that). So, I figured why not race to my strengths/interests?
My life will be much busier over the next few years, so I figured “ya better do it now”.
Short Answer: The distance is the challenge that mentally stimulates me the most and it’s the type of training that my body seems to be suited for.
Note: I do many short races on my own. Some of them were planned and trained for … others were a “friday night idea”. “Tomorrow I think I’ll do a sprint/Oly race”.
I did one in my third season - well first season was really more like a half season, but relatively early in tri speak. It was definitely a big ramp, but I had some extra time to train and felt that it was good timing with other life factors was more important than waiting and possibly having a better result.
I also agree - I did my first triathlon in 1981 - the Penrod’s Tinman Triathlon in Ft. Lauderdale. Did my first Ironman in 2002 at Lake Placid. Took me 20 years to get ready and one year to tapper. Z
Instant gratification, I want it now who’s gonna deny me, etc.
I took 3 years and had to do it because the time was right. Also what’s the hurry during the event (unless you get paid, trying to set a PR or trying to get to Hawaii). The event is fun, take it in, it might be your last.
i always get a kick out these posts/threads. lemme ask you this: in what way does it matter?
obviously, IM possesses an image in the public psyche that transcends triathlon. this image, by the way, is one that a LOT of other, similar fringe/participatory sports would kill for. so, you have this grand idea floating around, and people look at it and go " damn that looks cool, i wonder i i can do that?" and they sign up and give it a whirl. no big deal. that is what i did, signed up an IM as a first ever triathlon and i could not swim 1 length of a pool. i did it because it sounded like fun, and a challenge, and most of all just to see if i could and if so how fast i might go and most importantly could i beat my local buddy who signed up with me 
. nothing more to it than that, and why is that so hard to grasp?
shorter tri’s never interested me before - i spectated at many with the wife - i used to joke that they looked like clothes changing competitions with a little exercise mixed in. yuk yuk. after the IM i sorta recanted on that a wee bit for a while, but still have no desire to do shorter ones, as it turns out. for way less than half the money and dink-around there are lots of other ( more family friendly ) events to do out there till i do another IM.
speaking of which, and getting back to the first question - how come tri-heads care, compared to these other events, i wonder. some dude shows up to try to go 24 hours solo on his mtn bike nobody gives a hoot if he races shorter xc races on the thing, nor speculates on what the “proper” timeframe of those races should be, nor waxes philosophically on whether or not dude’s entry in the 24 hour class is detrimental to the sport as a whole, or any such thing. dude felt like trying a two-four solo, paid his money, filed up his water bottles and ice chest, and here he is ready to give her a shot - end of story.
sometimes the tri-heads cause me to wonder. . . . . . . .
"signed up an IM as a first ever triathlon and i could not swim 1 length of a pool. i did it because it sounded like fun, and a challenge, and most of all just to see if i could and if so how fast i might go and most importantly could i beat my local buddy who signed up with me . nothing more to it than that, and why is that so hard to grasp? "
Its not hard to grasp, thanks for your story. Couldnt swim a length of the pool eh?
no disrespect but:
“i used to joke that they looked like clothes changing competitions with a little exercise mixed in”
Thats just about the stupidest thing I have ever read. Talk about an “I’m and IRONMAN, I’m so bad ass,” type of person you are. I know you have never gone sub 2:00 for distance or you may change your mind …
Personaly I have very little talent and know a sub 1:50 will never happen and thats why I go long…But I sure has hell don’t diminish those people who can.
Dude, I agree. Why should anyone care? I’m on this board because I’m going to do an Ironman one of these days. Now, though, because of family and life committments I’m probably going to do a couple of halfs before I get to the IM holy land. But why should anyone care if I’ve done my required number of sprints, olys, and halfs before I get there. I say worry about your own thing and let others do their thing. I sometimes think tri-geeks are more snobby than the cycling road racers I hung with for 15 plus years.