Couch to IM in 5 weeks?!

8.  I'm a BOPer and participation is more important to me than performance.

7. I really need another tee-shirt.

As some of you know, I herniated a disc in my neck the first of February and have been riding the bench for 4 months now.  I've pursued non-surgical treatment and have had two epidural steroid injections to no avail.  Today I talked to a surgeon and am scheduled for surgery this Friday. 

The doc said after 6 weeks of recovery I can s/b/r as much as I wanted to but during the 6 weeks of recovery, I could bike but only a stationary bike as he didn't want me getting hit by a car (like that's gonna happen) and breaking my neck. He said no swimming during this time.  No running either but I could get on the elliptical trainer.

So looking at the calendar, my IM is August 30th.  Six weeks recovery from June 5th is July 17th.  This gives me 5 weeks to train and one week to taper.  I'm on the fence.

Somebody push me off the fence!  Maybe tell me I can't do it.  :-)

Thinking out loud here...

1.  I've done 2 ironman race so I know the distances well. 

2.  I can train 3x a day - swim in the morning, run at lunch, bike in the evenings for as much as my body can stand.

3.  Since I can bike on a stationary bike/trainer, I really have 11 weeks of bike training although I've never done more than 30 minutes on a trainer/stationary bike.  I think I push too hard and need to learn to ease up and go for endurance.

4.  The elliptical should condition my aerobics simulating running.

5.  I've never been a fast swimmer but always found swimming easy/relaxing.

6.  I've already paid for the IM and there's no getting the money back.  So I really have nothing to lose.  If I train like hail for 5 weeks it looks like I'm not gonna be ready, well then I call it quits.  I've been training for 12 years and think I know the limits of my body and can avoid over-use injuries.

7.  I really need another tee-shirt.

8.  I'm a BOPer and participation is more important to me than performance.

9.  Riding the bench these last 4 months has taken it's toll on 'weight management' (ok, I've blimpped up!)

10.  I love a challenge.

OK, so call me crazy, call me foolish...just don't call me 'late for dinner'. 

~Mike

I appreciate the opinions/advice.  It's really gonna come down to what I feel I can do without injury.

~Mike

Which is more important to you?  Having a strong back/neck 11 years from now or doing an IM in 11 weeks. 

Can you pull it off - maybe.
Should you try to pull it off - heck no.
It really sucks, but I think you have to sit Ironman out this year.

OK, good sound advice guys.  Thanks for talking me down off the ledge.  There is a HIM in Oct that I've been wanting to do for years....maybe I'll do that this year.

~Mike

X2.  Go volunteer.  You'll still be part of the day and get to particpate in the experience. 

I'm toying with this.  Participate in the rae and plan to DNF?    I could take it easy, stop and have some beer and pizza  for lunch.....take a nap in the changing tent, etc.  The problem with this is, I know me and once I was there I would push myself to meet the cut-offs.

Many people have said "get healthy" but that was always a prerequisite.  I would not do anything unless my doctor gave me the green light.

~Mike