For kicks I just ran a few #'s to give some perspective on the run times in an IM. Below is pulled from LP '09 & the % of athletes OVER that time (+/- 1%):
**>3hrs: **99%
**>4hrs: **87%
**>5hrs: **47%
**>6hrs: **15%
**>7hrs: **1%
So what this is saying is that if you can manage an 11:15 pace (+/-), you’ll have a faster marathon split than the majority of the finishers at IM LP. Take that FWIW.
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.
Fair enough. I just think we lose perspective sometimes.
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.
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I think I met your friend in New Zealand!
clm
I am 42 years old and have been competing in triathlon since I was 18. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hip when I was 34, and I had to decide whether to quit this sport or “walk” the “run”. I love this sport too much to quit so I decided it would be better to walk. Walking the Ironman marathon is a long day but in my opinion it is better than not racing at all. Finishing an Ironman by walking is still finishing an Ironman.
For kicks I just ran a few #'s to give some perspective on the run times in an IM. Below is pulled from LP '09 & the % of athletes OVER that time (+/- 1%):
**>3hrs: **99%
**>4hrs: **87%
**>5hrs: **47%
**>6hrs: **15%
**>7hrs: **1%
So what this is saying is that if you can manage an 11:15 pace (+/-), you’ll have a faster marathon split than the majority of the finishers at IM LP. Take that FWIW.
Wow, I would not have guessed that about half the people took more than 5 hours.
aquabike anyone?
Good for you! If I do another one, that’s probably where I’ll be, due to knee issue.
clm
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.
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I think I met your friend in New Zealand!
clm
Yeah,if you were there the year the swim was cancelled you would have met Glen Prior from Cairns.His hip has been slowly degenerating over the last few years and after doing his 10th Ironman Canada he decided to have a hip replacement.Sadly there was much more going on in the joint that was first thought and he won’t be able to run again.He can ride and walk pain free though.
Glen is a character and love him or not you can’t but be impressed by the sheer determination he showed over the years to get to the finish line.I used to ride with him quite a bit and every time I thought I was having a tough day I’d look at the twisted and very painful position he had to ride with and think how lucky I was to be uninjured after all these years.
He is one tough bastard
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I am 42 years old and have been competing in triathlon since I was 18. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hip when I was 34, and I had to decide whether to quit this sport or “walk” the “run”. I love this sport too much to quit so I decided it would be better to walk. Walking the Ironman marathon is a long day but in my opinion it is better than not racing at all. Finishing an Ironman by walking is still finishing an Ironman.
Good on you for wanting to still be part of it.My only advice to you is to do a few really long bike/walk days because just being out there in the elements for 15-17hrs is tough.You need to get used to that.The plus side is you can train so much harder on the bike and in the water as you won’t be trashed from the pounding of run training.
Good luck to you.
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clm
clm
You got that right!Legends in their own lunchtime.
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Ahh another ECU grad?
I wish I didn’t know this, but I walked almost the entire run course of IM Canada a couple of years ago in 7:05. NOT planned, and in fact, felt better run trained for that IM than for some of the others I’ve done. Thrashed my legs on the bike or messed up nutrition or something. Just didn’t have anything left.
Anyway…it is do-able. My total finish time was 16:06 or something like that. (45 y/o not super athletic female). Unfortunately, it was a personal worst, but I sure as hell didn’t want to quit.
And all you elitists…shut. up. We’re not in your damn way. At least we’re out doing something.
but were you dressed as dorothy?
haha!
No…that was last weekend’s walkfest. Definitely not trained for Kansas. Only 15 miles of running and 65 miles on the bike over the last 4 weeks. Just wanted to have a fun time out there. 
Never looked at the IMLP run splits from the overall perspective before…usually just look at the splits of those in my age group that have finished faster. I’m usually a little embarrassed to say what my run split was; but if your numbers are correct, my sub-4 marathon on that course isn’t as bad as I thought…thanks!
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.
Wow…this is pretty ridiculous considering the sport has grown on the backs of those that aren’t racing for money. Perhaps they may be taking up slots in a race, but these are the people that are adding races to the sport. You may not like it, but its true.
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.
Last year I did. IM Wisconsin. And exactly your pace. 1:30 swim, 6:01 bike and 6:03 walk. I shouldn’t be there but needed the distraction. I run up to mile 2 then walked the rest. You will be amazed even with 3 flats on the bike, and walking the whole marathon there will be enough time to go to your room, shower, have a decent dinner, come back to finish line and watch finishers.
For kicks I just ran a few #'s to give some perspective on the run times in an IM. Below is pulled from LP '09 & the % of athletes OVER that time (+/- 1%):
**>3hrs: **99%
**>4hrs: **87%
**>5hrs: **47%
**>6hrs: **15%
**>7hrs: **1%
So what this is saying is that if you can manage an 11:15 pace (+/-), you’ll have a faster marathon split than the majority of the finishers at IM LP. Take that FWIW.
I believe finishing should be considered an accomplishment. I probably can’t name 5 friends who could pull one off as of today even if they were encouraged to walk the entire marathon (and I know a lot of fit folks). I’m sure plenty more could do it. The fact of the matter is though…they would get fed up and quit.
Myself…if I’m putting in real training then I’m going to set a goal and go for it. I don’t plan on walking.
FWIW, here’s IMCdA 2009…
** Don’t take up the slots for the people that actually want to do an IM**
Those people should sign up sooner
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