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2012-05-08 8:06 AM

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Subject: Beach to Battleship

Looking for some advice...I have just completed White Lake Half in the blistering heat! I trained religiously for 5 months preparing for this event. It's over now and I'm lost! What do I do now?

I am thinking of signing up for the B2B full in October but just don't know if I will be prepared for that distance. My goal is to not just finish, but finish in the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the men - which at B2B 2011 would be in the 12-12.5 hour range. My half ironman time at WL this year was 5:31. I've only been involved in triathlon since 2008, each year competing in mostly sprints although I have done a couple internationals and three halfs (all White Lake). Prior to 2008, no swimming, biking or running background.

To those who have completed a full ironman - based on the above info (i know it's not a lot) is it realistic for me to think I can do a full this Fall and finish in 12 hrs if I follow a solid training plan? How much more challenging is a full? What is the biggest difference between the half and full?

ANY advice / thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks



2012-05-08 8:57 AM
in reply to: #4196691

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship

I have not done an IM and only finished 1 HIM so my experience is limited. I would say absolutely you can finish in 12 - 12:30 range with a good plan. You still have 5 months before B2B.

On the other hand why not just do B2B Half and crank out a fast HIM seen as though your only HIM's have been WL which are normally really tough conditions.

2012-05-08 9:16 AM
in reply to: #4196825

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship
Not a bad thought there...I just might end up doing that. I have two little kiddos (2 yrs and 8 mnths) and my fear is that if I dont complete a full now (before they get a bit older and involved in their own activities) I will never get a chance to dedicate the time to training for one.
2012-05-08 9:16 AM
in reply to: #4196825

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship
Not a bad thought there...I just might end up doing that. I have two little kiddos (2 yrs and 8 mnths) and my fear is that if I dont complete a full now (before they get a bit older and involved in their own activities) I will never get a chance to dedicate the time to training for one.
2012-05-08 11:11 AM
in reply to: #4196691

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship

Your situation sounds eerily like mine a couple of years ago except that I had stupidly done WL twice before doing B2B full. My best WL was 5:26; B2B was 12:38 but had a knee issue on the second half of the run so I was hopping down the hills, walking until the pain stopped and then running until it started (about 20 steps later), etc. My goal was close to yours: finish in under 12, or under 12:30, or just finish. I had two little kids too and worked things out around family schedules, etc. So heck yeah, you can do it and you have plenty of time. But if you want to do an actual nice half, B2B is that! There is no comparison between B2B and White Lake IMO in terms of ambiance, spectator support, stuff for the family to do around your race schedule, etc. For instance, when I did the full, we stayed on the beach and my kids played on the beach and in the hotel pool until noon! There is tons to do in Wilmington for them too if they want (aquarium, the battleship, etc). My wife is never going to the twilight zone White Lake again but she is actually quite excited to go to support my at B2B again this year (I am doing the half).

How much harder is a full than a half? That depends. Its longer but you (hopefully) train appropriately, in which case it comes down to execution, pacing, nutrition, injury avoidance. I was pretty bummed about my knee because I was on-track to meet my goal. Still, that is part of the race and happens. The training time commitment is greater and takes more planning- you have to get those long sessions in, and long for a full might be 100-120 mile bike rides (leave at 6am, home by 12), vs 50-70 miles (leave at 6 and back in time to see the kids before school!). For me, I find all races to be "hard". I hurt a lot during my short sprint last weekend...but could run the next day. I did NOT run the day after B2B :-) But then again, I could barely walk down the stairs after my first WL experience! I would suggest getting family buy-in! If your spouse is on board it makes it easier! Hope that helps. And listen to qrkid...he is wise (mainly because he's so old!).

2012-05-08 11:12 AM
in reply to: #4196901

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship

mramazon0822 - 2012-05-08 10:16 AM Not a bad thought there...I just might end up doing that. I have two little kiddos (2 yrs and 8 mnths) and my fear is that if I dont complete a full now (before they get a bit older and involved in their own activities) I will never get a chance to dedicate the time to training for one.

It never gets easier :-) Still, if you are creative you can make it work!



2012-05-08 11:21 AM
in reply to: #4196691

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship
Youre situation sounds similar to mine as well. My first tri was in 2010 with no athletic background. I did a couple halfs and decided to do a full B2B 2011. It is very doable, just keep in mind that from my experience, even if you miss some of your long workouts you may be able to make your time goals. However I paid for 2 months after doing B2B with feet and leg pains that still havent completely gone away. I love the half distance. Not sure if I ever want to do another full. Am glad I did it though.
2012-05-08 11:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship
FWIW, keep in mind that the B2B swim has the benefit of swimming with a strong current, so times are very fast. 
2012-05-08 12:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship

mellicon - 2012-05-08 12:35 PM FWIW, keep in mind that the B2B swim has the benefit of swimming with a strong current, so times are very fast. 

Sadly not in the year I did it (2010)- we were in for a nasty surprise that year. They actually moved it this year to accommodate the currents and make it fast again. :-) But yeah, for a full you might pick up 10-15 mins on the swim.

2012-05-08 5:35 PM
in reply to: #4196691

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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship

If you don't have the time to dedicate to Ironman (or 140.6), then don't sign up for one.

I trained for an Ironman, but went it severely under-trained because I couldn't dedicate the necessary hours to training. It was painful and I limped to a 14 hour finish. Not what I had intended for my first IM. 

If you use and follow a good plan, then you should be fine. I think the rule is to double your HIM and add an hour. So, based off that (loose) rule, you should be fine!

No rush, though! You have plenty of time! As suggested, you should consider racing other HIMs first to get the experience of long course racing, then move up. 

Good luck in what you choose to do! 

-Ron

2012-05-19 8:19 AM
in reply to: #4196691


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Subject: RE: Beach to Battleship
I have done White Lake half 5+ times and each time I have said no way could I do double that distance. No way. However, I say, and several other long distance peeps say too, that WL half is harder than B2B....due to conditions, boredom, time of year. It is true-if you can do WL easily, then B2B will be a pleasure, as long as you train right. I have done that combo, WL/B2B full 2 times and are doing it again this year. One year I did WL half then NC TTT-now THAT was tough!


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