To Ironman or to not Ironman

FWIW, regardless of whether you do an IM next year or not, you should do a H-IM prior if for no other reason than to test drive your nutrition + race plan.  After doing two H-IMs this season - and seeing first hand how difficult 70.3 miles is to complete ... and how different they are to even an Oly distance - I cannot imagine going the full IM distance without the benefit of this first hand experience.

As part of the IM CdA training my friends and I are doing, our coach has us scheduled to do a H-IM 8-10 weeks before the big show.

Also, there are but a handful of IM races you could consider ... and getting in would take some luck as the IM races typically sell out 1 year in advance.  Those that have registration periods coming up are IMFL (which sold out in less than 3 hours last year) and the IM to be held in Louisville, KY (IMKY?).

Agree.  One could even claim training in a more varied weather situation will prepare you better for the possible range of weather possibilities on race day, depending on which IM you are going to do.  Even those of us who live in climates where the weather can vary wildly (in one day) are having to re-learn what to wear for what type of workout in colder temps.  Experience with this certainly won't hurt you come race day even if the weather is pleasant.

... and, to me, the distance is the distance -- whether the event is WTC or another race production company is irrelevant.

I agree with doing the HIM first. I want to do a full IM next year, but I am going to wait until I see how the HIM goes first. No need to rush and not be ready.

OH and I agree - thanks for serving.

I totally agree with Brian.  I have 2 1/2's under my belt before my full.  They were both really good test runs of what not to do and what to do for longer races.  Doing a 1/2 isn't going to hurt and would be excellent practice.  And if anything it will open to eyes to how much training is involved- it's a big jump from an olympic.  I think it's good to ease into IM training by doing a half- that way you can kinda know what to expect with IM training and will be used to having to put in longer training hours.

Once you can answer this question yourself you'll be ready.

I understand where you are coming from. I spent 4 years in San Dog in the Navy (without doing ANYTHING physical), had orders in the DC area, and have been here in NO VA eversince. 

This is my first year doing triathlons and I am KICKING myself for not utilizing the beautiful weather in San Diego.

But, you will KNOW when you are ready to do an Ironman. And you can reasonably train in either locale for an IM.

Another factor (especially in the military) is how much free time you will have in a job. On my last ship in San Diego I was done work everyday at 2PM. When I moved to DC, I had to work 12 hr days but could work out during the day whenever I pleased. Now that I am a civilian I only have to work 8.5 hrs, but I can only train before or after work (which is much harder).