I have been competing for three years now and have completed several Sprint and Olympic distance tris. I trained for and ran a half marathon just this past weekend without difficulty. I want to do a half ironman this year but a friend of mine who also races says I should have “several seasons” under my belt before attempting one. I think I’m ready. I have both the time and support of my family to train as much as I need to.
Thoughts???
Bull. Go for it. You will be fine.
go for it
.
no brainer-go for it
.
Yesterday. I did Ironman in my second year of triathlon. Maybe not the smartest, but whatever. Go for it. Great distance.
You’re more than ready. I did my first HIM during my second season. I had done several sprints but only one oly prior and it was great! Do it!
Go for it, they are saying that because they are afraid you will beat them!
You can do it. Go for it.
no better time than the present.
Your friend is blowing smoke. I started triathlon last spring and have done exactly two triathlons, both HIM. The first was about two or three months after getting on a bike for the first time in years and I had no swimming or running background, though I did do a half marathon.
Go out there and have fun.
You are more than ready, do one whenever you like.
I have been competing for three years now and have completed several Sprint and Olympic distance tris. I trained for and ran a half marathon just this past weekend without difficulty. I want to do a half ironman this year but a friend of mine who also races says I should have “several seasons” under my belt before attempting one. I think I’m ready. I have both the time and support of my family to train as much as I need to.
Thoughts???
If you want to, go for it! My first two triathlons were HIMs.
You took your half marathon too easy if you finished it without difficulty. 
If you can also swim an hour in the pool or ride a bike for three hours, you’re ready. You’ve already done the run.
Fleck, where are you? 
I personally think 3 years counts as “several seasons”…sounds like your friend is worried you’ll beat him/her!
If you’re just looking to finish and gain experience for later races then you should have sufficient background to train for and complete a HIM in reasonable comfort (provided you do the training).
If you’re racing for cash, a win/podium/placing or a time goal then there is sound logic to waiting and building your base further and refining your speed, pacing and tactics over the shorter distances.
You don’t mention how fast you are or predict how quickly you’ll cover the distance? What are you goals for this race?
Three seasons of racing counts as “several.” You’re ready.
Go for it. I did 2 sprints and an Olympic last year and will do a 1/2 IM this year and IM next year. Good Luck
The only reason I would say that you weren’t ready is if you are really slow on the Olys. I did my first HIM last year and my pace for each leg was about the same as the pace of my Oly the year before (2007 pacing) while my 2008 Olys got faster. So find the HIM you want, look at the cut off times and if your Oly pace mean that you will meet the cutoffs with time to spare, then definitely go for it.
the only thing holding you back is training time
if you’ve got time to train, go to it!
Do it. I just signed up for my first half (florida 70.3). even though I only have 4 races under my belt and just started swimming last year.
Moving from sprint and oly to HIM can be a daunting undertaking. That said, ( I hate this friggin’ saying!) a few pointers:
-Make sure your seats not too high.
-Find out what wave Chuck Norris is in and aviod at all costs!
-Keep your fins out of sight of all the race officials.