General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Is one year enough to train for a half ironman? Rss Feed  
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2015-06-21 11:50 PM


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Subject: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
Hello everyone. I want to participate in the Santa Cruz 70.5 in 2016. I have just started training again, and am not near the conditioning I need to complete a half ironman. Ideally I will lose 40lbs by next year and shave alot of time off all three stages. Is 14 months enough time to complete this journey?

thanks!


2015-06-22 1:33 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
It depends on the shape you are in now. I would suggest having a chat with a coach; however,14 months seems like a good amount of time. I would suggest that you start slow and divide the time into concrete stages. The first stage may be weight loss and strength (really important to avoid injury later - I wish someone had told me...). After a few months of that (it will take longer to lose the 40lb, but slow burn is better to take it off safely), you can start building endurance again.
2015-06-22 2:07 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
For most people, especially if you only have about 40 lbs to lose, ( rather than much much more ) I'd say that 14 months is plenty of time to finish ( thought it might be pretty slow ), assuming no other medical issues.

Bonus points if you're not COMPLETELY sedentary atm.

What's your lifestyle currently like?
2015-06-22 7:20 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
Absolutely. I started training for the first time in my adult life 10 months before my first HIM. Lost 70 lbs while doing so, and have kept it off for over a year so far. I wasn't super fast, I came in around 5:42 if memory serves correctly so nothing to sneeze at either.

It wasn't easy, and I was very dedicated to my training plan. I don't think I missed more than one or two workouts, but it was very rewarding.
2015-06-22 8:12 AM
in reply to: Mtnwesttri

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
I went couch to HIM in 12 months shedding 30+ lbs in the process. I wasnt fast, and likely never will be but I would say that it is certainly doable. The key is to remain focused, and consistent in training without getting hurt.
2015-06-22 9:06 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?

Originally posted by amerimanyo I want to participate in the Santa Cruz 70.5 in 2016. Is 14 months enough time to complete this journey?
Yes



2015-06-22 10:08 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?

Originally posted by amerimanyo Hello everyone. I want to participate in the Santa Cruz 70.5 in 2016. I have just started training again, ...Is 14 months enough time to complete this journey? thanks!

I took 10 months off after doing an Ultra Ragnar Relay the fall of 2013.   Then I did an 8 week training for a 5K race the fall of 2014 (the 5K was rough).  Then I did an 8 week training for a 1/2 Marathon (by then I was starting to feel some fitness coming back).  Then I did 4 weeks of research into Triathlon options before staring an 8 week triathlon base cycle followed by another 8 weeks of triathlon peak/tapper before I did my 70.3 Triathlon.  I was well prepared and ready on race day.  I didn't have to lose weight though.  I started at 178 lbs at the beginning of the 5K training and 9 month later was 170 lbs. on race day for my Half Iron Triathlon.  

One of my cousins that was on my Ultra Ragnar Relay team in 2013 lost a significant amount of weight.  He lost over 100 lbs in 2012-2013.  He was racing the whole way through his transformation doing marathons, half marathons, ultra marathons, relays, etc.  His journey took a lot longer to complete than mine.  I was feeling pretty fit after about 4 months of training and he took about 2 years to get to the same point.  

Endurance sports typically take you three years to peak.  You don't wait for 3 years to start competing though.  You start doing events after 3-6 months and enjoy the fact that you can improve every race for the first 2-1/2 years.  

If your goal in to be fit enough to enjoy the race and finish then you can defiantly accomplish that in your time frame.  My cousin proved to me that people can do anything that they set their mind to.  The human body can do a lot more people that most people think, so the limiting factor really is our own level of determination.

2015-06-22 10:27 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo


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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
Yes, absolutely...if you train consistently and have a good plan.
2015-06-22 11:21 AM
in reply to: dfquigley


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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
atm I ride about 100 miles a week and run maybe 10 miles. I am not sedentary, but I definitely need to be in better shape. I swim about once a week and usually do 1 mile.
2015-06-22 4:50 PM
in reply to: amerimanyo

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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
Yes. Build up a good base for the sport and take a look at the free training plan posted on this site. It will get you through training and the finish line.
2015-06-23 11:42 AM
in reply to: amerimanyo


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Subject: RE: Is one year enough to train for a half ironman?
more than enough. it might be too much as you lose interest. instead, spend six months getting into shape doing various things, and doing some shorter distance races. Then, after six months, focus on triathlon training itself.


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