Very interested in Triathlon - Care less about IM

For some, yes. For others, no. 

It's your thing, do what you wanna do.

I've been racing triathlons for 5 years and I have no interest in IM. I did race a HIM a couple of years ago as timing was perfect as far as the least impact on my family. I'm glad I did it but I crossed the finish line and told my friends "I never want to do that again!"

I volunteereed and trained with my best friend when she raced IM LOU a couple of years ago. I had a blast but it did not rub off on me like my tri friends thought it would . I'm stubborn like that. I always said I don't want to run a marathon and I sure as heck don't want to do it after I've been on my bike for over a 100 miles!

In fact, I just posted a little while ago that I've been running for fitness for over 20 years. I started in college to get in shape and let's just say college was a long time ago. I've had bouts of injury that required time off but other than that I've been a steady runner for all of this time and the longest distance I've ever raced was the HM that was part of the HIM!

Do what makes you happy. Running on the trail and experiencing the change in seasons with my best four legged friend makes me happy. Slogging (that is what I call my attempt at running) along pounding mile after mile on the pavement - not so much.

I'm perfectly happy limiting myself to sprint and Oly distance races, along with an occasional half marathon.

I started doing tri's ten years ago at age fifty.  I had little background in endurance sports and was three years post-op from open heart surgery. 

One of the things I've learned along the way from watching others is how much of a commitment it takes to do HIM and IM distance races.  I certainly respect and admire those who do.

I'm 60 now and question whether my body would hold up for the volume required (primarily due to chronic knee, back and Achilles issues) to do HIM or IM distance races (or a full marathon).

Plus, I have other interests in my life that I wouldn't want to give up to train for longer distance races.

I'm not saying that I don't have my Walter Mitty moments and daydream about doing Kona, but I'm perfectly happy doing what I'm doing.

Mark

everest isn't the hardest climb, but it is the one that all non climbers identify with and would be impressed by the most... hence the pressure to do a full IM branded race.

I think it's perfectly natural and in our human nature to be curious about things that are new to us, and also to try things that other people seem to make a big deal about.

It's not to say that everyone thinks that way, I just don't blame anyone that is intrigued by a HIM or IM even if they are better suited towards shorter races as far as performance and enjoyment.  Sometimes we put ourselves through things that we may not want to do all the time just to experience them.  Like sky diving...lots of people jump out of the plane as a tandem jump and just close their eyes and scream.  But they just wanted to do it because it was something on the bucket list and other people said it was fun.

So I do think a lot of people naturally progress to longer distances eventually, but not all of them stay there once they realize it's not something they want to do long term.  Some people are much more wise and can tell that longer distances are not for them even without trying them, or have no desire to do them. 

I agree with Goosedog.  I know a lot of people who do sprints and 5 and 10k run races and have no desire to go longer. I don't think 'most' triathletes will ever do a full IM.

Selection bias.  Too many insane people here.

More wise than whom? The way you've put it, you are suggesting they are more wise than people who discover that longer distance are not for them long term. Is it unwise to do a long distance race, enjoy it, feel proud of your accomplishment, grow as a person from the experience, and decide that doing longer distance on a longer term is not a good fit for your lifestyle?

Doing a longer distance wouldn't be unwise if the bolded is the end result.  You could also come up with a scenario that's more along the lines of a DNS, DNF, hating the experience, feeling a sense of failure, and going into an emotional downward spiral. 

Geez...it was just a general statement about some people knowing that they don't need to try a long distance race to know that it's not for them.  If you want to jump on a high horse and nit pick people's posts...by all means...do so.  It's Friday.

I don't like running 5k's Heck I didn't like running until I got past 6 miles. Once I hit 6 miles my run seems great, later this year when I do my first full marathon we will see if I like it still. But right now I can go out and do a HM distance before work and feel great. Have me run a 5k before work and I will just feel sore and grumpy. 

I love being on my bike also. At almost every sprint I have done in the last 3 years I was sad at the end of the bike leg. Oly's feel great, HIM distance depends on the course.

As for the swim, I am slow and stink at it. But the more I swim the more I realize that its just because I cant get into a good grove until about 3 quarters of a mile into it. The 1.2 mile Him distance by the end I am feeling great. for the full IM distance I seem to get a bit slower at the end but I still feel good.

Some of my friends just die if we run 4 miles, or bike more than about 15. For me thats when I feel like I get better when I am out there longer. So for me personally I am going to focus my next few years on Oly and HIM distance races and try to put a full IM in there sometime too.

If its not for you, thats no big deal, and you will get to race more often and spend less money on said races!