First post, new member, new to tri's

Hello to all at BT, this is my first post.

I just completed the Ironman Timberman 70.3, my first HIM. It was an absolutely awesome experience, and I couldn't have asked for or expected more. I finished in under six-hours (5:58:56), and out of 160 in my age group (M45-49) I was 18th in swim, 63rd in cycling & 71st in the run. The run was a little slow, but before that day I had only run as far as eight miles once, and that was two weeks ago. I also used a road bike with aero bars, not a tri-bike. I was only passed by a few road bikes, but a lot of tri-bikes. I was ecstatic to be under 6:00.

Before this event, I had done one sprint (in June), and I did well in that too.

My next goal is to do a full IM. I had almost signed up for Tempe a few weeks ago, but I thought I should focus on the Timberman at the time. Now, Tempe is sold out, so I'm looking at next-year's Tempe, Florida, Lake Placid or Cour d'Alene.

I feel that I'm fine with the swim. A for the bike, I typically ride 500-600 miles a month when weather permits, but I only run ~10 miles a week, if that. So obviously I have to increase the run workouts. I'm also taking a serious look at a tri-bike, to pick up a little speed & to save my legs for the run.

I work four days a week, so I have a day mid-week to work out to go with the weekends. I'll probably do one or two more 70.3's, and a few sprints before a 140.6.

I'm absolutely thrilled to be a part of this sport & to challenging myself to get one of those "Finisher" hats from a full Ironman 140.6.