Young, 1st year, Ironman.. (Page 2)

I think if you had the ability to race short course at a highly competitive level you could get motivated to do it.  Obviously you don't have the experience to do it yet, but why  not set a big challenge for short course like getting your pro card and racing ITU representing Canada?  That would be setting a bigger goal than simply finishing an Ironman. 

A huge percentage of the tri population can finish an Ironman.  Most of us are too old or have jobs that won't let us pursue a goal to race pro.  I think you're wasting a big huge opportunity to try to get fast while you're still young.  Worry about IM for later when you're more experienced, fast, and have built up durable legs to take on IM training.  I'm not talking wait 10 years...just 5-7. 

I have to think about it. Racing fast will cost more money. I will need a triathlon and a swimming coach. I can probably train by myself of the bike and the run, but I'm very slow with swimming and I defenetly need a coach for that. If I train to race competitively for oly's, I've no doubt I'll be as motivated as I would be for an IM. I just thought racing an IM was more challenging, but I guess to do sub 2:00 for oly is as much challenging.

I'm young and will have a lot of decision to take in the next few months. I think I'll be more set after this summer, when I will have complete various distance races.

Your opinion is very valuable to me, thanks again.

If you have a local triathlon coach, they probably have a swim workout (or a few swim workouts) through the week where they will be able to guide your swimming as well as the bike and run parts of your program. 

If you decide on a remote coach, I would say your best bet is either with a masters program or a triclub that has coached swimming are your best bets.  There is no reason to have a dedicated swim coach; the training and feedback you will recieve swimming with a squad will probably be as beneficial and more cost effective.

A sub-2:00 OD is huge and as others have mentioned, the time to get fast is now; IM (and HIM) will always be there.

If I were you and were looking to be involved with the sport long term (and want to be competitive) I would focus on sprint and OD racing for the next five years and focus on getting really fast.  Then I would look to start adding the occasional HIM or IM to the mix and decide from there where your future lies in the sport.

Shane

There are very good OD training plans on this site that you can access if you upgrade your membership to silver.  If you upgrade to gold you get these programs and the ability to ask questions to coaches about your specific situation.  Not quite personal coaching but a great compromise.

Beyond that Opentri.com has a free short course program (never really looked at it though) and Gale Bernhardt and Matt Fitzgerald both have training plan books with programs for different distances and levels of athletes.

I have an intermediate OD program (for someone pursuing a 2:10-2:25ish OD) if you are interested in purchasing a training plan.  PM or email me if you want more details.

Shane

Thank you very much for your help Shane.

I think my best solution would be to try a lot of races in 09, OD early in the year, HIM half-way and a marathon at the end of the summer. My current fitness and training program should be enough for me to complete the race, not competitively. That way I would know what I like the most and make plan for a good training program for 2010.

I gotta say, you've shown maturity in taking some hits (nicely delivered ) and re-evaluating your near term goals. I have no doubt you will go sub 11 with the proper work put in when the time is right.

way to go.

X2

X3, best of luck with your training!!

This is very appreciated. I will stay around, it is very helpful to have various opinions and comments when needed.

Good luck to everyone in your 2009 season.

I wouldn't do the marathon...you can train for it, but I wouldn't race it.  It has nothing in common with an Ironman marathon, except the distance.  Plus, the recovery cost of trying to rip an open marathon doesn't compliment your tri training.  Train for a marathon and race a half.

There is no self-doubt, but there is a doubt for the smartest way to do it. As Everyone said in this topic, if my goal is to finish in pain and risk injuries, I can do it. But is it what I really want? Prove others I can do it? No. I know I could do it. But it will be more enjoyable if I take my time, do shorter race and get more experience under my belt. When the day will come, I'll be more ready that I have thought I would.

I would be reluctant to encourage a first year triathlete to go iron distance. It is something I strongly feel needs to be worked up to with shorter races first. If you still decide to go for it, best of luck.

Matt Cazalas
Technical Writer

Network Cables

x4 - it's not often someone comes to the forum, posts a question and actually listens to the answer (especially when it runs counter to what they seemed to be hoping to hear).

Best of luck, your maturity will take you far,

Shane