How did you know you were capable of doing an Ironman?

[Snytjie]

Great motivation! I think we should all meet on the beach before the race and do a group hug...

 

More seriously though: thanks for your thoughts and advice. I feel the finger curling around that trigger.

 

Snip-Snip...Firstly why do you want to run a marathon in preparation for IM? Is it purely to say I am able to last 42.2km? and that will make you psychologically better prepared, because that is all it will do. 

 

That is exactly why I want to run it. As someone who never seriously participated in sports for most of my life I have no idea of where the limits lie. My internal governor is definitely my worst enemy. 

 

Snip-snip...I wouldn't recommend running a marathon immediately before the Ironman as the recovery time is long and the risk of injury is something to be avoided.

 

The big difference between a 70.3 and a full Ironman is the nutrition and pacing. 

 

Marathon is currently scheduled for 20 Dec 2014 with a nice three week recovery block/focus on swim and bike afterwards. Would you think five weeks to EL is too little to recover?

 

Luckily I realised from the start of training that pace and nutrition is key and I focus on it during training. Thanks.

 

you just enter and get yourself on the beach that special Sunday in april.  that's how you know.

 

the whole spirit of ironman is to put yourself out there and to do what others deem impossible.

 

Cheers. You came close to what I thought many would say: you know you can when you cross the finish line...

 

Thanks again!

[JGR]

Great motivation! I think we should all meet on the beach before the race and do a group hug...

 

More seriously though: thanks for your thoughts and advice. I feel the finger curling around that trigger.

 

 

That is exactly why I want to run it. As someone who never seriously participated in sports for most of my life I have no idea of where the limits lie. My internal governor is definitely my worst enemy. 

 

 

Marathon is currently scheduled for 20 Dec 2014 with a nice three week recovery block/focus on swim and bike afterwards. Would you think five weeks to EL is too little to recover?

 

Luckily I realised from the start of training that pace and nutrition is key and I focus on it during training. Thanks.

 

 

Cheers. You came close to what I thought many would say: you know you can when you cross the finish line...

 

Thanks again!

There is a big group hug before the race .....

[Wyatt Earp]

I knew I was ready when I farted bullets and pee'd shotgun shells .

[shawnvan]

If you can do a 70.3 you can do a full Ironman. Yes its long. Yes its scary. Yes it hurts. But you will finish and it will be the best moment of your life. Stop thinking about it and enter. 

 

The key to IM running is biking. Contrary what others have said, 160km as a longest ride is not enough. You need to do a few rides of 180km+, and preferably some over 200km.  You need to start the run as fresh as possible, and that only comes with lots of miles in the saddle. 

 

Biggest training run I do before IM is 28km at intended race pace two weeks out. If you can do that you you can do Ironman run as the crowds, energy, adrenaline of the day etc. do the rest for you.

 

As others have said, the doing a marathon adds no benefit to training for an IM.  They aren't similar beasts at all except for being the same distance.  Running 42.2 km after a 180km bike is not comparable to an open marathon. Ditch the marathon on 20 December and plan an epic long ride instead... Its also too close to 70.3, as it will take you two weeks to recover properly at a time when you should be putting in your biggest / best training efforts for 70.3.

[CAAD4]

Respect to all of you, but please leave the soccer socks at home. It always looks like you are runnning late for the main match...

[NotSoBigBen]

Respect to all of you, but please leave the soccer socks at home. It always looks like you are runnning late for the main match...

 

  :w00t:        

[SwissVan]

I knew I was ready when I farted bullets and pee'd shotgun shells .

 

Which Yster Man was that?

[sluiper]

The key to IM running is biking. Contrary what others have said, 160km as a longest ride is not enough. You need to do a few rides of 180km+, and preferably some over 200km.  You need to start the run as fresh as possible, and that only comes with lots of miles in the saddle. 

 

.

 

I think it differs from person to person. I've never done a training ride above 165km and I've always ended up in the top 25% on the bike for full and half Ironman events. If you're just aiming to finish, one 160km + 2 rides of 60-70km a week is plenty, as long as they're done at high intensity.

 

I agree that the biking is very important: no use getting off the bike and not being able to run at all.

[River Rat]

I'm going to differ from many on this but I always approached my IM training in two distinct 3 month phases. The first phase was to build a base both mentally and physically by ensuring that I could do 20% more than the race distance for each discipline so I would try and get in at least a 50 k run. However in the second phase is where I agree with the advice given namely stay away from runs further than 30km and concentrate on accumulating reasonable weekly mileage. The swim and cycle have less impact so you can push the race distance during this period.

 

In many ways by doing the 70.3 you have almost simulated the impact of a long run in terms of endurance so my guess is you'll be fine.

 

Good Luck

[Wyatt Earp]

Which Yster Man was that?

  

 

89/90/91

[shawnvan]

. I've never done a training ride above 165km and I've always ended up in the top 25% on the bike for full and half Ironman events. If you're just aiming to finish, one 160km + 2 rides of 60-70km a week is plenty, as long as they're done at high intensity.

 

 

As a matter of interest, what % do you end up on the run / overall after your top 25% bike?

 

Sure, agree that if you're just aiming to finish 160km is  enough, but if you want a decent run more biking is needed.

[SwissVan]

89/90/91

 

Leppin at Hartebeesport?

LOL we must have passed each other somewhere along the line there.

A few other hubbers where there including BigBen I believe

 

Do u have the the results sheets from those days, would love to get a copy just to remind me how sleg my running was in those days

[Wyatt Earp]

Leppin at Hartebeesport?

LOL we must have passed each other somewhere along the line there.

A few other hubbers where there including BigBen I believe

 

Do u have the the results sheets from those days, would love to get a copy just to remind me how sleg my running was in those days

Yip, the Leppin's where some guys canoed and others swam.

I don't have results   

[SwissVan]

Yip, the Leppin's where some guys canoed and others swam.

I don't have results   

 

89 my first one, I swam and canoed  My own Aquathon

[wanderwoman]

You know when you know - a bit like Wyatt said. It really depends on your aspirations on the day and how the day works out. Some want to finish, some want pb's some do not want to walk. 

 

Each time (and I have done >5) I just really try to train as much as I can fit in as consistently as I can from October onward. 3 of each if possible a week. Depending on your personal strengths and time, I would say focus on those, but I try 1 long ride (max 6hrs) and 1 long run never more than 35k's really. Train on tired legs and don't over complicate things.

 

Your training seems fine at the moment - stay consistent, healthy and enjoy it mostly. Swimming is great for overall condition and recovery.

 

With limit training time I find the big difference between 70.3 and full the pain on the run and nutrition. 

 

When you stand on that beach it is awesome (whilst sh!tting yourself) - one the day you take it one leg at a time. Best thing you will do in a long time.

[Wyatt Earp]

89 my first one, I swam and canoed  My own Aquathon

So bietjie mal.