Any half Ironmen competitors out there?

[El&Asmom]

Thinking about triathlon season coming up and trying to decide between doing another Oly vs jumping up to a half Ironman. Some of the training plans look brutal. I typically train 6 days a week in the summer but still have a full time job and 3 small kids. Just wondering how much more time you committed when training for a half Ironman vs an Oly.

 

[cewait]

You can get away with a little additional training volume each day and jump up to the half. The largest increase is cycling where depending on your speed, you are on the saddle another 2+ hours. For me the swim is just about the same time commitment.

Shop around for plans that fit your schedule and lifestyle.

I know I am not real specific here but I tended to train HIM loads when I was seriously training - even for Olys

 

[El&Asmom]

That's what I was kinda thinking. The swim should only be 10 min longer, and the half marathon shouldn't be an issue since I'm a runner.

My issue will be getting the miles on the bike. I'll see how spring biking goes and then decide. I think Racine is calling my name.

 

[cewait]

I had a leg up when I was tri'ing... I taught 3 -4 4 cycle classes a week. I would simply set my class profiles for my training needs and away we went. For the most part that took care of my week stuff. It was the Saturday class that always messed up the schedule.

I hear the Racine course is a little rolling. Make sure to get a little hill work in.

 

[Duanerice]

Thinking about triathlon season coming up and trying to decide between doing another Oly vs jumping up to a half Ironman.

Wait! Trying to decide between the 2? I think you meant that you are going to do both right?

Training isn't that much more for a HIM. Like Charles said, the bike is the biggie. But we normally ride 60+ miles every Saturday so there isn't much additional mileage for a HIM. We might just add another 10 miles and kick up the effort. But if you are only doing 30 mi now (no idea) then you need to double it. Don't downplay the bike. Remember the bike sets up your run.

I too came from running and thought that would be the easiest part of my first half. My mistake. Worst run I've ever had. I pushed the bike too hard for my fitness level. Felt fine on the bike but I paid for it. There is no such thing as a good bike and a bad run. Glad I learned that lesson before my full IM.

Go for it. It's a lot of fun. Forces you to pace a bit. Kind of the difference between and half marathon and a full.

There are free HIM plans at www.beginnertriathlete.com. Check them out
enjoy,
Duane

 

[ironz]

Going to agree with the guys here and say that getting the bike miles in is going to be the factor. Need to get at least up to 50 miles, I would say. (more would be better, but like run training, you don't *really* have to go the whole distance before the race)

Duane...I have a training group and get plans from them, but am sort of branching out on my own a little bit, so I looked at the half IM plan on BT to sort of get a start...it starts out fine for swim and run, but there are a lot of bike miles (to me) even in the first weeks. Or I just ride slow, since the plan is by miles, not time. LOL
Not that a lot of bike miles is a bad thing....it's going to be key for me this year, esp if I can't get my running/trapeze injuries under control (dangit...even have to go back to Goofy 2013 since I had to drop out! )

I'm doing New Orleans and Buffalo Springs 1/2 Ironman races (if work schedule permits)....and Ironman Canada in August. Some sprints along the way. Not a huge fan of Olympic distance...I can hold my own on a sprint, but lose too much time on the run in an Oly. And the longer stuff is just to do it and try to be faster my own self.

Cheers!

 

[Duanerice]

Betsy,
I would love to do Ironman Canada some day. I still pretty much train with our team. Too many good friends. Honestly it is the people that keep me there, not really the training schedule.

I'm with you I can sometimes podium in the sprints but struggle in the longer distances. The longer the distance the further I fall

I have a few HM, Sprints and one Oly in March this year then Florida 70.3 and Augusta 70.3 followed up by IM Florida again. We have about 12 people from our team doing it this year so I had to sign up again.

Have a great time!
Duane

 

[fashionista311]

damn, i haven't even done a tri (training for my first olympic in july) and you guys are already making me want to take the half ironman plunge i suck at swimming (its a work in progress), but my longest bike ride has already been 46 miles. running is my primary sport and right now i'm averaging 35-40 miles/week.

i'm sure putting all three together is much easier said than done though!

 

[twoWDWfools]

I wanted to do HIM last year then the knee surgery killed that (along with everything else). I had belonged to a tri group but they are ultra competitive with quite a few members qualifying for Kona.

Was going to do the Danskin Women's tri in Olrando followed by the 70.3 however they are not at Disney anymore so decided not to travel. Still have to figure out what I want to do this year besides the two sprints I have lined up.

 

[El&Asmom]

Wait! Trying to decide between the 2? I think you meant that you are going to do both right?

So many races, so little time. Already planning a sprint with my friend doing her first. It's Danskin which was my first tri, so I'm looking forward to it.

Stupid race entry fees add up. Just signed up for the Chicago marathon, (along with 35,000 other people in the first 3 days of registration), and will be registering for Big Sur marathon this summer. These races get expensive. Plus I want to do a flat fast half this summer to knock 2 minutes off my half marathon time to get into a better corral at Chicago.


I can bike 30 without problems. Never have taken the time to go further. My dh and I along with some friends are doing the MS tour de farms bike in June which will be either a 50 or 75 miler. I figure it will be a good warm up for Racine if I do it.

I think you have all talked me into it. There's no time like the present. Man I can't wait until spring to get out on the roads. Although with the weather we're having, it should be here before we know it.

 

[monsterkitty]

I would go for the 70.3 in a heartbeat. I want to do a half so bad I can taste it.

If you have a trainer you could put in the bike miles after the kids go to bed or in the morning if your an early riser. If the increase in swim time is only 10 minutes that isn't too bad.

Have fun deciding which races to enter this year!

 

[monsterkitty]

damn, i haven't even done a tri (training for my first olympic in july) and you guys are already making me want to take the half ironman plunge i suck at swimming (its a work in progress), but my longest bike ride has already been 46 miles. running is my primary sport and right now i'm averaging 35-40 miles/week.

i'm sure putting all three together is much easier said than done though!

Good luck!