oly to HIM volume

Well vegan - I'm 99% sure I'm doing it, so I'll let you know how it works out.  Had my first bit of nagging shin pain this morning, but I'm just starting a recovery week so I will rest and ice it and watch my long run carefully next week... maybe spend a bit more time in the saddle than pounding the pavement.

I may have lost some speed, as I have really not done much speedwork... but I feel very comfortable about endurance going into the international distance having trained closer to the "beginner IM" volume of training.  I have virtually no pre-race anxiety. 

And frankly, since I'm not at the top of my game (i.e. far from a "fine tuning" point... still have a bunch of weight to lose, etc)... I have a feeling I may actually be surprised by how much speed is there just from the long workouts developing cardiovascular (and muslce, joint, etc) endurance.

Until I'm in really fantastic shape (I only need time), I've fully adopted the "want to be faster... ride lots, run lots" mentality.

Sounds like you're probably capable of doing the HIM.  Take a look at the last 10 weeks of the HIM plan.  If you're comfortable strating that (esp. the weekly bike & run volume), then you should be OK.  Make sure you're being sensible about adding volume gradually, especially on the run.  It's easy to feel good right up until the point you develop an overuse injury--been there.

P.S.  If you are thinking of Savageman for your first HIM--you're nuts! 

With regard to

" ^{Family plans may not be too far away, and I wonder if I [personally] will be able to commit this kind of training time for the next two decades if I don't do it now."}

I've got two (ages 4 and 6) and a 60hr/week job.  While not a slam dunk, its manageable.  I've got two half-marathons, two olympic tris, a HIM and full marathon planned for 2007. Remember, you've got to take care of yourself, so you can properly take care of your family.  You will miss training days though, just be prepared to "deal with it."  Oh, and a 7 hour night of sleep will feel like A LOT.

Thanks for the "you're nuts" compliment. 

I ran God's Country Marathon (Northern PA) a few years ago as my first marathon which also heads over the eastern continental divide... and paid dearly.  I'll just say that at least I'm not naïve and nuts.

I hear you on the overuse run injuries... I will be very careful as I come from a running background where I was always training on the edge of injury, and have appreciated tri training most for the ability to work harder but with less damage to my legs between the 3 disciplines.

Thank you for the advice -

I definitely want to enjoy the race and not just survive it... same thing for the OLY distance, which is why I have upped my volume considerably from what my plan called for.

The HIM I am considering (Savageman) has a brutal bike course, so I will also be focusing attention there - seat time, and hill climbing.  But I will take your running advice.  I suspect as I countinue to drop weight my body will respond better to running volume than it has in the past.

I'll keep you all posted... and again, thanks for the advice.