Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

There is going to be a pro Ironman event here in Sandusky next year. Since I have been running and also have done long distance biking, I am seriously considering entering this event. Why? Well, because I can, I guess. I think it would be great at my age just to finish! The only thing I am concerned about is the swimming. More than likely, I'll only do the 1/2 Ironman, which actually is almost a double olympic Triathlon.

Here is a link to the info:

http://www.rev3tri.com/cedarPointComingSoon.htm


Any suggestions? :D

Anyone else interested? LOL

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Hmmm.....does watching the movie "Ironman" in high def make me an expert?

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

:hmmm Is there a Putty Man competition?

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Bay week is more my style of racing.

http://www.i-lya.com/Sail/sail.html

Put-in-bay is rather quaint.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

little inspiration for ya


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuULcVaMTf0

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

There you go. That is the one I would need to sign up for. :)

One with a napping competition.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

I have been considering entering the "TV Remote" competition. I have a pretty quick trigger finger and can instantaneously know which remote needs to be grabbed for which action.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

CC1 you can shave some lap times off by getting a universal remote....:ursofunny

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Don't do it. People die every year in these events and many times it is the swimming that does folks in.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

My husband falls asleep with the remote in his hand! Sometimes I can sneek it out without waking him. I think we have the only remote with the paint worn off where the heel of his palm touches it.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Suggestions: Don't do it. :thumbsup

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

I think that too many of you know me all too well! By imploring me NOT to do it, you are triggering a device inside of me (maybe the little boy) that says, "I MUST do it!" LOL

Anyway I just got "The Triathlete's Training Bible" and have begun to read it. Believe it or not, these kinds of things I do have a direct spiritual impact upon me and the church. By me being challenged, I challenge them to accomplish things they never thought possible in Jesus Christ. At the very least, it will keep me in tip top shape until next September. I plan on getting local sponsors as well.

Is there no one here who has even done a "Tri?" :D

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

More inspiration for you:

One day, a son asks his dad "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with
me?"

The father says "yes". And they run their first marathon together.

Another time, the son asks his dad again "Daddy, would you like to run
a marathon with me? "The father says "yes son".

One day, the son asks his father "Daddy, would you run the Ironman with me?"
The Ironman is the most difficult triathlon ever (4 kms swimming, 180 kms bikin, 42 km running?) And the dad says "yes"

The story looks simple until you watch the following clip. Just
amazing, how much can love be.... ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Full Ironman is 2.2 mi. swim, 112 mi bike & 26 mi (full marathon) run! I'll only be doing a 1/2 Ironman. I just don't have the time to train for the full Rev!

Team Hoyt has always inspired me! I have used their video clips in church before. Usually not a dry eye in the house! I also want to plant a seed of a legacy to my sons as well....that their Dad never gave up accomplishing things both spiritual and natural! :D

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Bro, I encourage you to go for it! Doing something like this could change your life.

I'm an avid cyclist, and am 49 years old, and have been riding for about 20 years. I ride with men in their 60's and have known others who ride in their 70's. Good health, competition, and total fun is the result. I also pastor and run a business, so I need the relief valve, if you know what I mean.

I also ride with a Tri-athelete who is 45 years old. He has done a couple of Ironman's. This man is in incredible shape, and we have a blast riding together. The swim is the most dangerous part, but so is sitting on the couch (heart disease, high blood pressure, ect) LOL.

What's amazing, even at my age, in a 5 stage (week) Criterum we did in July, I took 2nd place, and this was against riders half my age. Guess who was only seconds in front of me? Yep, my Ironman buddy!

I did a Bible Study last night reflecting my experience on the bike. The Church was blessed, as I shared with them about the power and complexity of riding in the Peloton.

If you need any pointers, be glad to help!!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

suggestions? wear those inflatable arm thingies.

keeps you from drowning.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

:spit Yeah, and training wheels on the bike! :lol

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Ditto.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Have you considered shaving your head and auditioning for a Mr. Clean role?

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Hey MOW,


I might be interested in doing it. I've been trying to plan a run or cycle with World Vision's schedule. They havent much of anything scheduled in the way of cycling events tho. A good friend of mine from church likes to run and bike as well, so we're still looking to try to get in on World Vision events. The 1/2 iron man sounds like a reasonable goal, but the greatest trouble I have is the phobia of a 1.2 mile swim. I swim VERY little..... a buddy of mine drowned in highschool trying to swim from a pontoon boat to the shore. Leg cramps is my biggest fear......hate 'm. I will, however, look further into it.

Regardless, YOU NEED TO GO FOR IT BROTHER!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

I'd be interested in ANY pointers either you or he could give for a newbie Tri guy! I have biked a lot before. I've done a century, so I know what it takes, but this is ONLY 56 mi on the bike. When training for the Focus on the Family ride years ago, I was doing 40 mi/day. I've got a recumbent but they're illegal for Tri's so I'll have to get a new bike.

You mean like this?

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...aldAvatar2.jpg


The swimming is my worst fear as well. The thing that gave me a comfort level in the swimming is the fact that everyone wears wet suits. They're buoyant, so it won't take a lot of energy to keep afloat. I figure just a steady pace with rests along the way will get me the 1.2 mi I need. :D

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

A good bike is essential. Not sure how long it's been since you've shopped for a new ride, but todays bikes are completely different. Materials used for frames, shifting components, pedals, ect, have all changed the playing field immensely. When I made the change to a new bike, I was stunned at how much better I performed. Just be prepared to spend a "Little".

Finding the right bike is important. You can litterally shave miles/minutes off of overall times by just a bike change. Carbon fiber is the preferred material, with a Tri set up. Here is a web site for some great deals on racing/road/tri bikes; www.fezzari.com. I've owned a Fezzari for about a year, and they are a screaming, fast bike. They will also size you up perfectly, building the bike to your exact specs. Great folks there.

I know from riding with my Tri buddy, a couple of things you should know about the cycling part; You won't be able to draft, so train out in front (if with a group) or do lots of riding alone, in the wind, climbing, and flats. Make sure you are aero (ride with elbows in, back strait, legs in, if possible a Tri Bike with aero bars). If you don't get a Tri Bike, train in the drops on a standard road bike (get low). When I ride with my friend, he likes going with me cause I make him work harder than ever.

My Tri buddy does lots of cross training (riding and swimming), which is beyond my experience. I can't even comprehend running 25-50 miles, so you'll need others to help you there. I do know he spends a lot of time running and swimming. His wife is a huge support. We have lakes here he trains in, while his wife is in a small boat to time/support him.

I'll ask my friend for some more pointers.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

So, I guess training wheels are a bad idea? :heeheehee

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Now why you go and post that video getting me all emotional and stuff!!:foottap very inspiring!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Thanks for the tips! I checked out the bikes and they are REALLY nice. A little pricey for me though. I'll probably have to go with a used one. I can only probably shell out $1000 for a bike even though I plan to get local business sponsors.

Fortunately for me, I'll only be doing the 1/2 Ironman...still insane, but it's not TOO insane. I only have run 13 miles at the end not 26! LOL

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Only $1000?! :blink

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Hey! You ain't half bad sometimes! :thumbsup

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

I'm getting ready to go down to the office to pick up my new ride; Retails for 4K. Wife just IM'd me, letting me know FEDEX just dropped it off. Birthday present (convinced the wife)!

The only difference between men and boys is the................................

:gift

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Went riding with my Tri buddy last night. Told him about your desire to compete. He would be a great resource for info. He's open to talk with you via email/Internet.

I just sent you a friend request on Facebook. We can connect there and I can link you up with him.

God bless!!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Sounds great! I'll take any advice I can get! Triathlete's Training Bible has been my best investment yet. :D Thanks Bro!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

UPDATE:

I finished "The Triathlete's Training Bible" and Don Fink's "Ironfit." Both books helped tremendously. Especially the part from Fink about training "time" and not miles. Also about training aerobic and not anaerobic. Huge difference!

I bought a Blue Seventy full wet suit on eBay and a Timex Ironman Road Trainer watch/heart rate monitor. I have found that it is hard (for me) to train (running) in Zone 3. It seems that at my normal pace, my heart rate is about 145 and the top end of Zone 3 (for me) is 137. I may have to adjust the zones. Supposed to do 90% of training in Zone 3. Or I may just have to back off and not run as hard. For me to stay in Zone 3, my pace is a slow 8:30. My normal pace is about 7:30 - 7:50.

Lots of spiritual applications learned so far. One trains in the aerobic zone to train for endurance and not speed. Ironman competitions are far more about endurance than they are speed. :D

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Quick update:

I ran my first 1/2 marathon this Saturday. In fact it was just under 2hrs! If I can run 13, I can run 26.

The bad news: I just joined the YMCA and began my swimming training this morning! The results were NOT good! I have never swam like this before and I am SO in trouble. If it were not for the fact that I'll be wearing a wet suit, I don't think there is any way I could do this.

The good news: I have all Winter to work on it. I'll probably hire a swimming coach for a few sessions. An Ironman swimming portion is 3800 meters! The "Y's" lap pool is 25m so that is going to be a LOT of laps! I usually run or in this case swim at 6 or 7am. If I can get this swimming thing down, I think I'll be doing the full Ironman. Anyway, there's your update. :D

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

To paraphrase a classic movie line:

Swim, Forrest, swim!!

:lol

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

Congrats on the 1/2 marathon!

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

What do they call that MOW, aluminun-man.

Re: Considering doing an Ironman...suggestions?
 

:spit