would it technically be possible to walk an IM? I’m thinking it would take about 8-9 hours to walk. If you take 1.5 hours swimming and 6 or so to bike, you should be able to make the cut off.
Discuss.
Yes,a lot of people do it.
A friend of mine did about 10 of his 17 Ironmans that way as he could no longer run due to a hip problem.
.
I assume you are suggesting walking the marathon, not the entire race. If so, the answer is very easily yes, sadly I have done it and still had an hour to spare from the cutoff.
Dear God, why? I’ve spent some time on the IM Deathmarch and can’t imagine having to walk more than you have to.
chris
Don’t take up the slots for the people that actually want to do an IM…this is why they fill and people who are more serious about it, or want to make more of a commitment to the sport, can’t get into races. It’s a race, maybe against yourself, and sometimes you do have to walk because it is HARD. But to go into it planning on walking means you should find something more aligned with your goals.
I believe that you can pretty easy. And thats why I do not think that completing IM is that difficult. Racing one is a whole other story, but I think that its that tough to finish one. I believe that anyone who takes the time to train a few months should easily be able to meet the 17 hour cut off.
come on seriously? 75% of people sign up for the IM knowing they are going to walking at some point.
IM’s are a race for about 10% of the field and an event, something to do for a day, a story to tell, something to brag about for 90% of the rest.
Don’t take up the slots for the people that actually want to do an IM…this is why they fill and people who are more serious about it,
I’m thinking you haven’t looked around an IM participant field lately.
If you are trained at walking, and put in some effort, you can walk a marathon in about 7 hours or so.
Step 1 swim like hell, ride like a mad man and walk for a bit.
Step 2 collect the T-Shirt
come on seriously? 75% of people sign up for the IM knowing they are going to walking at some point.
IM’s are a race for about 10% of the field and an event, something to do for a day, a story to tell, something to brag about for 90% of the rest.
Better double check your math … what about the other 9%? 
Why would you want to?
Sure, if you have a bad day or if you need to walk a minute then run 10. I can understand that. But where is the achievement in “planning” on walking the “run”.
IMO there is only one reason that the cut-off is 16+ hours; to sell out.
come on seriously? 75% of people sign up for the IM knowing they are going to walking at some point.
IM’s are a race for about 10% of the field and an event, something to do for a day, a story to tell, something to brag about for 90% of the rest.
Better double check your math … what about the other 9%?
Canadian math?? 
i’m not exactly planning on walking the marathon. i would much rather run it. the problem is that i have a tendency to get stress fractures and achilles tendinitis. i would just like to know if some people do walk the marathon. not to plan, but to give me a bit more confidence going into it.
will i try my hardest? yes, of course. i know i’m not going to be anywhere near the top so i’d rather take it easy, enjoy myself, and not get injured.
thanks to all others for your answers!
come on seriously? 75% of people sign up for the IM knowing they are going to walking at some point.
IM’s are a race for about 10% of the field and an event, something to do for a day, a story to tell, something to brag about for 90% of the rest.
Better double check your math … what about the other 9%?
Canadian math??
Maybe you should read closer. He said 10% of the field and 90% of the rest … 90% of the remaining 90% is 81%, leaving 9% … Yeah, Canadian math
Why not stick to races that you can actually finish with some dignity?
Good catch! But desertdude graduated from East Carolina, so I know that he doesn’t understand math and was not aware of what he was saying :>)
you should read Allan Couzens blog… it takes 60 watts to finish an IM in 17 hours for an average weight guy.
I probably put out 85 watts just typing that last sentence.
Finishing an IM is easy, racing one is hard.
I used to say that a couple of years ago on ST, and everybody would flame me. Now, I think more people are starting to understand.
Finishing an IM is easy, racing one is hard.
I used to say that a couple of years ago on ST, and everybody would flame me.
You and me both.
.
Finishing an IM is easy, racing one is hard.
It certainly isn’t the athletic achievement some make it out to be, but calling it “easy” is just being provocative. I’ve done 9 of them, if I were to slow down to 17 hour pace, it wouldn’t be as demanding, but it would still be a long day. If you took a cross section of the general population, very few would be able to complete the swim and then spend 8 hours on the bike.
Feel free to try to put the the accomplishment in perspective, but calling it “easy” is a deliberate, unnecessary slap in the face to those out there busting their asses to get it done by the cut-off.
look, when I used to post that statement it was unnecessary statement and not nice. Now, it’s just conversation. I know how hard it is to stay on your feet for 17 hours, I would not wish that on anybody. I’m not trying to amp anybody up, I hear exactly what you are saying.