Ironman 2017 - PE

[IMan777]

My wife is a fairly good swimmer....

I still need to get her a wet-suit for IM though.

 

This looks like a good deal for a beginner type suit: https://fluidlines.co.za/collections/wetsuits/products/orca-openwater-fullsleeve-s?variant=23952185795

 

Anybody else using the same suit or should I rather just go with a Coral wetsuit?

 

Thanks in Advance for any feedback.

Mel

[IceCreamMan]

My wife is a fairly good swimmer....

I still need to get her a wet-suit for IM though.

 

This looks like a good deal for a beginner type suit: https://fluidlines.co.za/collections/wetsuits/products/orca-openwater-fullsleeve-s?variant=23952185795

 

Anybody else using the same suit or should I rather just go with a Coral wetsuit?

 

Thanks in Advance for any feedback.

Mel

Looks like a great deal. Also try Xterra and Blusmooth who will have pricing in the ball park.

[DoubleJ]

You can get over it by starting off slowly in the pool, building up fitness, then swimming in protected open water situations. You must have the fitness to build confidence. Another good idea is to do the open water swimming with a safety buoy attached, and this gives peace of mind. Also, find someone who is an accomplished open water swimmer, and ask them to tag along on your open water swims until you feel more comfortable.

Ironman is so awesome that you do not want this to stop you from doing it.

 

Thanks Gurns

[So Is Es]

My wife is a fairly good swimmer....

I still need to get her a wet-suit for IM though.

 

This looks like a good deal for a beginner type suit: https://fluidlines.co.za/collections/wetsuits/products/orca-openwater-fullsleeve-s?variant=23952185795

 

Anybody else using the same suit or should I rather just go with a Coral wetsuit?

 

Thanks in Advance for any feedback.

Mel

My wife and I got our self the Coral wetsuit we are very happy with them, every body is different and nothing beats a tailor made suit specific for you. Just go to the factory and let them take the measurements. Once suits are ready they also do a final fitting and any changes while you wait. My 2 c worth.

[banna]

So this year I've decided to do the bike leg without the tri bars attached to my road bike. For the luv of me I just can't get comfortable in the tri bar position. Probably has something to do with the angles on the road bike. Do you guys reckon one would lose a lot of time by dropping the tri bars, considering that I'm not really comfy in the tri position in any event?   

[IceCreamMan]

So this year I've decided to do the bike leg without the tri bars attached to my road bike. For the luv of me I just can't get comfortable in the tri bar position. Probably has something to do with the angles on the road bike. Do you guys reckon one would lose a lot of time by dropping the tri bars, considering that I'm not really comfy in the tri position in any event?

The course is relatively flat an would favor tri bikes an bikes with tri bars. How much time you would potentially lose is dependent on how fast you could average. Higher the average the more potential time lost.

 

I never ride with tri bars an I reckon I lose around 10 to 15 minutes on the bike. No scientific data but at sprints an half distances I am faster than my brother in law on the bike, at IM he is quicker by around 10 minutes. Although I am to change that this year

 

An it may compromise yr run too although in my case being a *** runner it matters not.

[banna]

The course is relatively flat an would favor tri bikes an bikes with tri bars. How much time you would potentially lose is dependent on how fast you could average. Higher the average the more potential time lost.

 

I never ride with tri bars an I reckon I lose around 10 to 15 minutes on the bike. No scientific data but at sprints an half distances I am faster than my brother in law on the bike, at IM he is quicker by around 10 minutes. Although I am to change that this year

 

An it may compromise yr run too although in my case being a *** runner it matters not.

Ja I also thought max 15 minutes lost. But that I can live with. Not there to win.   I think I'll be more relaxed on the bike, because now I don't have too worry about trying to somehow get myself comfy on the bars.  

[Scott Scott]

Doing my first Iron Man and starting to get nervous about my training. I really have no idea what to expect and therefor cant gauge my training. Any advice will be appreciated.

As an enthusiastic mountain biker I normally train anything from 6 to 8 hour weekly ( 2014 to present date). Ill bump it up to 10h near big races and stage race. Since 2016 I also do a fast pace 5km run once a week.

I started training for Iron Man in December and currently my training consist of:

• 2 number 3800m swims a week ( 1h20 per swim) total 2h40
• 2 number 7,5km or 1 number 15km run total 1h20
• 2 number mountain bike rides ( high intensity) total 6 to 7 hours.

A grand total of 10 to 11 hours a week.

 

First question. Should I be running more? I have only once ran a half marathon and am hesitant to do continues long mileage as running is so destructive. I’m hoping to do only a couple of 20km in training and on the day, reduce my pace and just survive.

 

Second question. Thinking finishing time of 12 to 13 hours. Is this realistic?

 

Thanks for your thoughts

[shaper]

Definitely more running, try to run at least 3 times a week, 2 short runs 7-10km and a long run at the weekend. You also need to learn to run at different paces.  The short run after your long run should be a recovery run trying to keep HR in Z1, your other short run should be a workout, speed work or hill work, the weekend long run should be at a comfortable pace and a mixture of Z2 and Z3 HR (build endurance) and is anything from 2hrs+

 

If your intention is to survive on the run that is what it will be, a long walk/run and 13hrs may be doable but unlikely.

 

I would expect you to be building up 12-15hrs a week 10-12 weeks out from race day.

[ahmedbadat]

Doing my first Iron Man and starting to get nervous about my training. I really have no idea what to expect and therefor cant gauge my training. Any advice will be appreciated.

As an enthusiastic mountain biker I normally train anything from 6 to 8 hour weekly ( 2014 to present date). Ill bump it up to 10h near big races and stage race. Since 2016 I also do a fast pace 5km run once a week.

I started training for Iron Man in December and currently my training consist of:

• 2 number 3800m swims a week ( 1h20 per swim) total 2h40
• 2 number 7,5km or 1 number 15km run total 1h20
• 2 number mountain bike rides ( high intensity) total 6 to 7 hours.

A grand total of 10 to 11 hours a week.

 

First question. Should I be running more? I have only once ran a half marathon and am hesitant to do continues long mileage as running is so destructive. I’m hoping to do only a couple of 20km in training and on the day, reduce my pace and just survive.

 

Second question. Thinking finishing time of 12 to 13 hours. Is this realistic?

 

Thanks for your thoughts

i would definately run more, try and do two short and one long session of each giving you a total of you race distance every week. short sessions can be an hour long but high intensity and do lsd on the weekend.

[Sparkles]

Yes, you will need to run more as suggested above, but like you said running is destructive so don't increase your long run distance by more than 10% per week (and remember recovery weeks), otherwise you may get injured which you cannot afford at this stage

 

But you also don't need to have run a marathon before you do an IM.  I have done two and my max run before each of them was 25 km.  Also decide on a strategy for your run and practice it.  Run 9 min, walk 1 min has worked well for me and helps to break up the run mentally.

 

You will need to look at ramping up your overall weekly training hours which may mean changing around the priorities in your life for the next two months (and discussing it with your significant others).

 

I suggest you include a few long Z2 training rides (not high intensity like you are currently doing) of around 5 hours each, including back to back days (e.g. Sat am and Sun am, with a run in the afternoon).  180 km is a long time to sit in the saddle doing steady state and your body (especially your upper back and neck) needs to get used to it.  It is a very different body position from MTBing.

 

Whether 12 / 13 hours is reasonable is difficult to say not knowing your run and cycling pace.

 

You have three years of foundation, the next two months is crunch time.  The training for IM is just as much part of the experience as the race itself, enjoy the challenge!

[mon-goose]

you might also want to start doing some brick sessions (cycle / run). Do a long ride and then a short run

[Scott Scott]

Thanks for all the comments Guys.

It’s a bit of a wakeup call and I’ll look at increasing my training too 12h - 14h a week. I was hoping a solid base would help but hey, I actually enjoy the training more than the races.

Train well and keep safe out there.

[EmJayZA]

Doing my first Iron Man and starting to get nervous about my training. I really have no idea what to expect and therefor cant gauge my training. Any advice will be appreciated.

As an enthusiastic mountain biker I normally train anything from 6 to 8 hour weekly ( 2014 to present date). Ill bump it up to 10h near big races and stage race. Since 2016 I also do a fast pace 5km run once a week.

I started training for Iron Man in December and currently my training consist of:

• 2 number 3800m swims a week ( 1h20 per swim) total 2h40
• 2 number 7,5km or 1 number 15km run total 1h20
• 2 number mountain bike rides ( high intensity) total 6 to 7 hours.

A grand total of 10 to 11 hours a week.

 

First question. Should I be running more? I have only once ran a half marathon and am hesitant to do continues long mileage as running is so destructive. I’m hoping to do only a couple of 20km in training and on the day, reduce my pace and just survive.

 

Second question. Thinking finishing time of 12 to 13 hours. Is this realistic?

 

Thanks for your thoughts

 

The more I delve into the physiological and psychological aspects of endurance training, the more scared I get. There are so many theories and training programs out there, it is pretty overwhelming to start. I also have heard stories where people have put in the time (1 year plus) and they land up DNF. To me, that is an issue with the training, and a failure in predicting the outcome of the race. I can't and won't accept a risk like that.  

 

I am using MyProgramGenerator. The training plan is an scientific outcomes based program, and takes your current fitness, and spits out a program for you based on a few assessements. There is a 4 week trial period if you want to give it a bash. I am not sure of the politics around here, but that's what is working for me. 

 

The program will be able to generate a plan for you based on your goals and apparently is very spot on when predicting completion times. My coach met with me to discuss goals, give a demo and answer any questions. All obligation free. I am now hooked. 

 

Edit: Also, you will get pacing guidelines for your race. I am far off from this, but would raise this with your coach if you go down this path. 

 

You are free to send me a PM to answer any questions. 

[banna]

Thanks for all the comments Guys.

It’s a bit of a wakeup call and I’ll look at increasing my training too 12h - 14h a week. I was hoping a solid base would help but hey, I actually enjoy the training more than the races.

Train well and keep safe out there.

Don't stress too much boet. It's only a race. Yes its a very long race, but still, make sure you enjoy what you're doing.

[IceCreamMan]

Realistically the answer is we don't actually know,your history or your athleticism so answering is nigh on impossible. Additionally you only have 6 weeks of training left as you have to taper and somewhere along the line you need an easy week too. It's too late to start running 25 km's etc as this will only increase yr risk of injury an destroy yr event.

 

Yr swim and cycle training is ok, I say wing the run. Is 13 hours doable, yes but we don't know yr history so difficult to make a call. For me, 13 hours is a dream and I train solidly year round.

 

Ironman, the brand, sells us a dream based on achievement. Taking nothing away from this achievement, and believe me I reckon my ironman medals are my most prized possessions, the human body is immensely capable and we don't realise just how capable it is. If one paces realistically it's doable, just take yr time and don't give up. I seen guys stop at around10 hours with 7 hours still to go. Crazy.

 

Good luck, and don't stress to much but be warned, one has to pace it

 

Come to Barneys on Monday, we drink beer like victorious warriors having conquered the evil course.