Is it doable to do a full IM without people there to help you out? I’ve done 3 IM’s but have always had at least one person there as a wingman. The thing I’m most worried about is getting my bike out of transition after the event. I think it’d be ok, but just worried if something happened / dehydration, injury / if I’d run into problems.
You don’t need anyone there to help you…
It can be done. Yes, the after race is the biggest hassle as you are tired. Grabbing all of your gear while tired and finding your way back to your hotel is the toughest thing. One way to counter that is to stay close if you are really worried.
It is a fun adventure though, and then you don’t worry about your friends/family being bored while you are out racing.
Done it many of times and talk to many people who have done it. Biggest fear is always something happens and then yes it could become a total cluster, but at the same time there is something refershing to about only having to worry about yourself.
I’ve done 6 IMs so far and only had the family at 3 of them. I’ve actually found it easier to be there alone. No one else to worry about if they’re enjoying themselves, etc. Doing IMAZ in 6 weeks on solo IM #7.
maybe somebody would help you IF YOU STOPPED SHOUTING.
Very doable. One tip: pack something to eat in your finish bag so you won’t have to navigate the post-race stuff on your own when you’re low on fuel.
If you are an experienced IMer then I would say yes. If it’s first time, then no. If the conditions are outside of your comfort limits then no. I remember racing an ITU triple olympic in Holland on a very hot day. One of the guys on Team USA who had traveled by himself was totally out of it and unable to eat, pack, or basically do anything. Several of us packed his bike into his case, found the Team Doc, and got suitcases ready, found some fluids, etc. I remember thinking that I was glad to have my wife with me if something like that had happened. It’s not a good situation to be alone if you need medical assistance.
Thanks for all your help!. I appreciate the experienced replies.
Interesting. I’ve never even considered having someone there. I would think they’d just get in the way.
Totally doable, though admittedly some races are easier than others to navigate without any support crew assistance. CDA and Florida, for example, were both very easy to navigate on my own. Single transition areas, and I stayed within walking distance of transition both times. At Cozumel and NYC, both with somewhat challenging logistics, it was nice to have help getting dropped off at the start. Not necessary, but way more convenient. In Kona, the only reason I needed help was because I stayed so far from transition. Otherwise, it was unnecessary. If you’re stressed about it, find somewhere to stay that’s relatively close to transition. It’ll cost more, but it makes the logistics a ton easier.
The other thing is – if for some reason you did run into trouble and couldn’t make it to transition by midnight, I would be willing to bet that you could get help from either a volunteer or from the RD. Shit happens. RDs know that. No athlete is going to intentionally leave their $$$$$$$ bike in transition overnight after the race, if they can avoid it.
Also – don’t underestimate the willingness of other peoples’ support crews to help you out. People there to support their athletes are, in my observation, very happy to help someone they don’t know. Have too many gear bags to juggle after the race? Ask someone walking in the same direction as you for help.
I have entered 8 IM—finished 5. I always have my wife as my IronSherpa. She helps me with check lists before, takes care of special needs bags getting them to the right location, pick ups my bike before I finish and has warm clothes for me at the finish line. We then like to watch the rest of the victims finish–straggle in at midnight. The first IM at my age 65 I was worried about disappointing my family. Now I like have them all there— it is a family holiday. I’m reminded of a friend who after finishing IMAZ sat down on the curb, pased out or went to sleep and doesn’t remember anything until the next morning. Fortunately her husband was with her and carried her back to their hotel. That said the IM support is good enough that they will likely not leave you in the gutter. It is after all unseemly to do so and the locals would undoubtedly object.
I often have my wife and 2 kids at races but they do absolutely zero to assist me with anything.
Our cottage was about a mile from transition at IMLP, as I was slowly pushing my bike back after 12h of joy she said “We would help you but we’re exhausted. It’s a long day watching these things!”.
This was said in jest, but is true. This is your hobby, take care of yourself.
Don’t be a high maintenance prima donna triathlete. There are already way too many of them!
I did one. I went completely alone. No one helped. I didn’t see it as a problem at all.
Are you talking about an actual IM? You got about 3000 volunteers there helping you. 
Just go and do it and have fun. Ask a volunteer for a hand if you need anything.
If you are talking about an IM distance race you want to do by yourself. That is tough but doable. Car can be your transition, or even your house depending on where you live. Swim and bike should not be a problem. Bike can accomodate 112 miles worth of fuel. Run? I don’t think you could carry enough hydration and gels without a huge Batman belt, which in turn will make you want to take the thing off and chuck it about half way through the run. So pick a run route with drinking fountains and restrooms or convenience stores. You get the idea.
Disclaimer: I’ve done halfs completely unsupported. A really long weekend brick. Never a full.
I did my first one alone, it even was a point to point race. I opted to stay close to the finish line to make it easy to get back to the hotel. I drove to the race start, left my car there overnight, raced, went to pick it up the next day. Not that big of a deal. You’re an ironman, you can do anything remember.
As everyone else has stated, of course it’s completely doable to do one on your own, but while this is subjective, it’s certainly a lot more fun to have your friends and family there for most emotionally healthy people.
Again, if you were really screwed, I’m sure the volunteers would be glad to help you out. As far as the general logistics of it all go, I find that I’m still the one that goes and retrieves my bike from transition afterwards, I’m the one that lugs at least the majority of my gear to/from the start/finish and the hotel, admittedly often pretty slowly.
But like I said, totally doable, but having my friends and family at the race is also one of my favorite things about the whole IM experience. So take that FWIW.
One thing you soon work out is…you don’t need half the regular crap that you take, when there is no-one else around.
I was on my own, pre race day I buddied up with another racer who was solo, and shook hands on helping one another, if needed after the race…its nice to know there is someone who has your back, but a full on sherpa job is not needed
All the mothers are reading this thread and chuckling to themselves. On the day of our ironman, we get you guys up, we feed you, we shove something in our mouths, we make sure you have your sunscreen and hats and bottles of water and money for food and get you special bars to eat during the day, then we bundle everyone up and head out to the event. We cajole you out of the car (I know, it’s early and you’re tired) and hold your hands when you’re so excited and approaching transition. We load up the bike and head back to hang out with you guys and remind you to wear a hat, put on sunscreen, drink water etc. and then head out for a swim. Then a bike, then a run. During the bike and run we’ll gather up stuff on the course to bring you when we see you alongside the road and scan the faces in the crowds hoping we’ll see you and then afterwards grab extra pizza and extra drinks to bring outside the finish area to when we see you again. Then we get our stuff and help you back to the car (you must be EXHAUSTED) and relive your day with your and from your POV, get you home, fed, bathed and then we fall into bed, another IM in the books. Nope, couldn’t do it without you. 