Couch potato to Ironman in 30 weeks? yeah right... (Page 2)

Photo Mike - 2010-05-05 11:29 AM

Put yourself in a situation like they do on "Biggest Loser" and I think it's very doable, but not for anyone that has a normal life.

Rogillio - 2010-05-05 3:09 PM

Absurd is in the eye of the beholder.  To many people, the idea of a 140.6 mile race is, in an of itself, absurd.

I have no problem with the length of the race....but for someone to do it in 9 hrs....now that is absurd!


~Mike

MultisportMinistries - 2010-05-05 3:45 PM

I think it it depends (as stated earlier) on coach potato.  I have done about 10 tri's in 2008 & 2009, 8 sprints, 1 Oly and 1 HIM.  I was not really trained for either the Oly or the HIM but completed both in 3:06 and 6:35, respectively.  I was about 240lbs at the time of both races.  I had shoulder surgery last August from a college baseball worn down shoulder and from that surgery, I developed 6 blood clots - 2 in my calf and 4 in my lungs.  Spent the next 4 days in Pulmonary ICU and next 7 months on blood thinners.   Was also diagnosed with sleeep apnea in December.  Sleep has been a big issue and is still not resolved.  My wife gave birth to our son in Jan. at 26 weeks and he passed in 7 days, just 15 weeks ago, so it has been a rough year, to say the least. 

I was planning on doing a few sprints and maybe an Oly or two in 2010, as my head was not into Tri's much due to my health and our's son's passing.  I then found out on 4.15.10 that my name was on the Kona Lottery list.  So much for easing back into things.  Clots are now all gone and weight is down to 218lbs.  I have about 5 months to get ready for thsi epic 140.6 as I have truly been "on the couch" for 8 months angry about my health and then my son.  I look forward to the race in Kona and will either finish or they will carry me off on a stretcher.  I do not worry about cut-offs as much as I do proper pacing.  I always seem to push harder than I should, which has led to cramping in my HIM.  I also completed a trail marathon and DNF'd after trying a 50k.  Cramped bad in both.  Bad idea to try the 50k on limited training.

Either way, I may be a good testiment as to whether it is possible.  I do plan to train 6 days a week but doubt I will do two a days if it is not the weekend.  Will see how it goes.  Feel blessed to have been selected.  Did an interview on Sirius Satellite last week and talked about the upcoming training a bit.

Brian

Gaarryy - 2010-05-05 3:30 PM
exactamundo

furiousferret - 2010-05-05 4:03 PM I'm not sure you guys are aware of what the average American couch potato looks like these days.

I still say no.  Taking someone from the couch, and building a safe base (10% rule) takes about 10 weeks alone, you have the other 20 weeks for training and it seems doable but this person is going to be doing their first century, 16 mile run, 2 mile swim, during that period when the muscles and tendons just aren't strong enough to handle the load.  

I'll put it like this; you get 30 random people to do this and about 15 will complete it.   

Rogillio - 2010-05-05 4:11 PM

I think that may be generous.   A typical IM has about 20% DNF/DNS.  It would take dedication and I think the failure rate (the DNS) would be way higher.  The reason I say that is, even people who have trained for marathons and HIMs find out that IM take more time and commitment than they thought it would take...and these are endurance athletes. 

Not sure what we're  talking about thought becuase "30 random people" is kinda vague.  If you take 30 random people, statistically 0% of them will stick with training and complete an IM.

~Mike

running2far - 2010-05-05 11:25 AM The former biggest loser did DNF Kona....

PennState - 2010-05-05 4:43 PM Gosh I never get sick of these discussions

velcromom - 2010-05-05 12:48 PM From the couch, with RA.  Some swimming history many years ago.  I signed up for IMWI in September of 2008.  Ran for the first time the next day.  Raced my first 1/2 mary in 3 weeks, first mary 5 months later.  Snagged a bike from my son, changed out the seat, bought bike shoes - learned how to clip in/out in January 2009.  Did first tri at Wildflower in May 2009.  First Oly in June 2009.  IMWI 9/13/09 in 14:12.  Boston last month.....IMCdA next month.

I'm in my mid forties, have 3 kids - and a very supportive, athletic husband.  Wasn't much overweight. It was HARD, but fun. Many sacrifices in terms of time - but that was my call.   BT was an incredible support and resource, still is.

Start slow - stay consistent.  Don't stop.  Listen to your body.  I believe for most people, if you REALLY want it, you can do it.

MultisportMinistries - 2010-05-05 4:45 PM

I think it it depends (as stated earlier) on coach potato.  I have done about 10 tri's in 2008 & 2009, 8 sprints, 1 Oly and 1 HIM.  I was not really trained for either the Oly or the HIM but completed both in 3:06 and 6:35, respectively.  I was about 240lbs at the time of both races.  I had shoulder surgery last August from a college baseball worn down shoulder and from that surgery, I developed 6 blood clots - 2 in my calf and 4 in my lungs.  Spent the next 4 days in Pulmonary ICU and next 7 months on blood thinners.   Was also diagnosed with sleeep apnea in December.  Sleep has been a big issue and is still not resolved.  My wife gave birth to our son in Jan. at 26 weeks and he passed in 7 days, just 15 weeks ago, so it has been a rough year, to say the least. 

I was planning on doing a few sprints and maybe an Oly or two in 2010, as my head was not into Tri's much due to my health and our's son's passing.  I then found out on 4.15.10 that my name was on the Kona Lottery list.  So much for easing back into things.  Clots are now all gone and weight is down to 218lbs.  I have about 5 months to get ready for thsi epic 140.6 as I have truly been "on the couch" for 8 months angry about my health and then my son.  I look forward to the race in Kona and will either finish or they will carry me off on a stretcher.  I do not worry about cut-offs as much as I do proper pacing.  I always seem to push harder than I should, which has led to cramping in my HIM.  I also completed a trail marathon and DNF'd after trying a 50k.  Cramped bad in both.  Bad idea to try the 50k on limited training.

Either way, I may be a good testiment as to whether it is possible.  I do plan to train 6 days a week but doubt I will do two a days if it is not the weekend.  Will see how it goes.  Feel blessed to have been selected.  Did an interview on Sirius Satellite last week and talked about the upcoming training a bit.

Brian

1stTimeTri - 2010-05-05 6:37 PM

I screwed up your BT tat that day, didn't I?  It would've been a nicer day for you if I wouldn't have done that.