12 Month Ironman Training Program/ IM Train Prgrm Questions

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I know, I am nuts   I also meant peAKing at 15 to 20 hours every three weeks, not consistent weekly volume between 15-20 hours. 

I probably, most-likely will just finish this year on a HIM program, work on my limiters over the winter, but then I still need to find a 20 week plan.

I want to finish sub 12 with moderate ease.  I want to try and have a smile for the last 10k of the marathon -- and I know that may be an impossible task for a first Ironman -- but that's the goal I would like to aim for

I planned on doing the Endurasport HarryMan half in mid-May, which will simulate LP Race Day conditions and be excellent conditioning due to the hills ; and I planned on doing Eagleman, again, as a hard training day (and to try and get it right this time ) 

I would schedule each HIM at the end of a three week build, and right before my Recovery week - so it would not detract from Ironman Training.  And additionally, I needed ZERO recovery time from Eagleman this year. 

So based off these tangibles, I believe two HIM's would be extremely beneficial and greatly enhance my chances at a succesful first Ironman. 

Here is what I did.  I signed up for IMFL 2008 one year out.  Started the 20 week HIM training plan for White Lake Half Ironman in May.  After completing that I relaxed some hiking and training when I felt like it no planned training until the start of the 20 week intermediate BT IM plan to get ready for IMFL.  When I signed up for this I had no tri experience and only a year of running which never included a marathon.  Dedication, hard work and a goal can go a long way.  By the way I finished 11:45 whith my checks hurting because I had a smile on my face the whole race, even the last 10K.  Good luck.

Your faster than me and have a lot more experience, so I will take your word for it that you are probably right.  I'm in no rush to start this plan, so send me a PM later in the week; whenever you get a chance.  I highly value your opinion and thank you in advance for taking the time to give me advice.  I know I wouldn't be as succesful as I am this early in my Triathlon career if not for the advice and suggestions I've recieved on this site.  And because of that, I try to keep a very open mind. 

I just completed IMCdA (my first IM) using the BT Intermediate IM plan (roughly).  I say roughly because I did a 50-mile trail run in April (10 weeks prior to IMCdA) and did a lot more running in Feb/Mar than the plan called for, and not as much running or cycling in April (post run).  I preceeded the IM plan with a BT winter maintenance plan calling for 7-10 hours per week. 

Your goal is to get to the start line trained, healthy, and rested.  This is harder than it sounds.  Rested is taken care of with the taper.  The balance between "trained" and "healthy" is pretty squishy and lots of athletes find themselves on the wrong side (tendonitis, PF, sick, etc. ) with huge training volumes.  

Pre-IM plan was pretty unstructured.  I used the maintenance plan as a guideline for how much per week and some suggested workouts, but otherwise didn't worry too much if I only did a 40 minute run instead of 75.  As I switched to the IM plan, I tried to stay a little more true to the plan while accounting for the ultra.  I would not have wanted to start the race with much less training than I did, but I also am grateful that I avoided the overuse ailments I mentioned above and the "Ironman Training Burnout" (both me and the family). I was North of 12 hours (13:38) but my time was not due to the training or lack therof. 

I did something like this (four IMs): easy year (sprints, Olys, HIMs), two/three month recovery, 40- or 44-week ramp up to IM, two/three month recovery, easy year, repeat.  I liked a long schedule because when I missed 3- or 4-weeks because of work I was not totally screwed. 

Also I like increasing by no more than 5% (compared to 10%) training load because (for me) it means no injuries where 10% can be dicey.  

As for burnout, I've raced 18 of the last 21 seasons.