I was so focused on getting into IMLP, I didn’t really think about next steps this summer. I’ve never done a marathon but have done a number of 70.3. Should I get a marathon under my belt before I start training for IM? I’m thinking first of November?
Not necessary, but if it will make you feel better to run a marathon and won’t significantly impact your recovery and training the other disciplines, then sure. Why not? If you’ve done several 70.3’s you should feel pretty confident about your race.
If you’re regularly doing 70.3’s then your existing base fitness should be a good start.
I’ve done 5 IMs all under 10hrs and never a standalone marathon so don’t let that bother you.
IM LP 2010 is still a long way down the line and if you start focussing too soon you’ll be sick of it all come the event.
Depending on what your aims and aspirations are, tbh, I only usually have about 3 months IM specific training prior to a race. By this I mean long distance stuff building to 2.5hr runs and 5hr bike rides.
I would say, use the offseason to work on your limiters and have specific discipline focussed periods… e.g. swim technique work, bike strength work etc.
Good luck
Drink some beer eat some nachos to celebrate.
Congrats on getting in…no doubt by this time next year you will be an Ironman.
The Red Baron’s reply is a perfect reply. Also worth mentioning.
KEEP the balance at home/work/friends as best as you can. During the lead up to my first Ironman; training and racing became an issue between my wife and me. Once I got things balanced out life got a lot better and the resentment was gone.
If you live within a days drive of Lake Placid then you should go up there for at least one long weekend this year (late summer or early fall) and twice next Spring and do some training on the course. Any body, any time can jump in the water and swim the course (something thats not true for most triathalons). Same thing for the bike and run. They are both on open roads that bikes and runners can get on and do any time. The three events are laied out as half iron distances and are done as double loops on race day. The thing to do is go up there several times before the actual event and do each of the three activities as single loops with long transition times inbetween them at your hotel room eating and changing clothes. Familiarity with the course will greatly help you on race day. Also hotels and motels are dirt cheap off season, but are very expensive on race week, so you get a lot of bang out of your tourist dollar on the seasons shoulders (April, May, September, October). Tim
You can do a big training block at the end of this season finishing with a marathon on tired legs to get the sense of what it’ll feel like. then, take some time off over the holidays so you can hit the ground running in January.
I personally think you need to have run a stand alone marathon on your legs to get the sense of the crap hitting the fan as it may well at the end of a IM marathon.
Bob
I’m not gonna disagree with you Bob, but a stand alone marathon is an entirely different world of pain than a IM marathon. 
"I personally think you need to have run a stand alone marathon on your legs to get the sense of the crap hitting the fan as it may well at the end of a IM marathon. "
And yet, there is proof in this very thread that you are wrong…
Frankly, I’m suprised at the responses - after reading some yesterday, I thought for sure you’d get some advice to train between 10 and 60 hours per week - if you have 10 hours to train, swim 1 hour, run 1 hour, and ride 8 hours. If you have 60 hours to train, swim 1 hour, run 1 hour, and ride 58 hours…
I would not be worried about IMLP 2010 already. It is way too early for that. As others have said, if you have done 70.3 (or similar) races recently, then you should have an aadequate base.
I will also be doing the race next year and my plan for the remainder of the year is to have “fun”, do a couple local sprints and olympic distance races in the next couple of months. I plan on finishing my 2009 season by doing a half (Tawas) in September, and then running the Detroit Marathon in October.
I was registered for these races prior to the registration for LP and once I am done with the marathon I plan on taking some time off to let my body and mind recover from this season before I start training for next season.
I did IM Switzerland this year. This was my first IM in 9-years, and the fall marathon will be also be my first marathon in 10-years (outside of an IM). Not doing a marathon before an IM is not a problem. Your legs may actually thank you for it. It takes me significantly longer to recover from a Marathon than it does an IM.
Focus on your weak areas (form, strength, etc) over the next several months and you will be fine. At least that is my plan once November/December/January rolls around
"I personally think you need to have run a stand alone marathon on your legs to get the sense of the crap hitting the fan as it may well at the end of a IM marathon. "
And yet, there is proof in this very thread that you are wrong…
What kdw said.