Is it both 'way intense' and 'is it not as bad as it seems'

Watch a few of the IM races on the VS channel or the DVD's.

Once you start training you realize it is within reach.

I would decide your IM location once you know your strengths and weaknesses.

I did my first in Florida since it was a flat course and it worked out for me.

I'm in my second season of tris and I am currently in week 8 (of 20) in training for a half ironman. For me the training is intense, especially while working full time and trying to maintain a social life! 9 workouts/week, ranging from 1-3 hours total each time. I would suggest you look closely at the training commitment proposed by a few ironman plans--that was enough to show me what level of commitment would be necessary to sucessfully complete a full IM. While I think it would be awesome to do it, I, personally, just can't see suffering through the 24 weeks of training to get there. But that is just me...there are plenty of people out there who do it....but be prepared for the amount of time you are going to spend on the road/in the pool.

good luck in making the decision---and best of luck with your sprint this season!

The training is the hard part, and the race day is the celebration! Just sometimes a tough celebration :) But well worth it. And I think ANYONE who decides to do one can - as long as they do the training to prepare for the day and get to the start line healthy and excited.

I have written race reports for all of my IMs, as have many others here. So you can always check out the blogs (mine are all tagged as race reports).

[quote=kylie]The training is the hard part, and the race day is the celebration! Just sometimes a tough celebration :) But well worth it. And I think ANYONE who decides to do one can - as long as they do the training to prepare for the day and get to the start line healthy and excited.

I have written race reports for all of my IMs, as have many others here. So you can always check out the blogs (mine are all tagged as race reports).[/quote]

+1
I went from sprints one year to IM the next (I had however, done multiple marathons and had been a swimmer so knew I could do the distances). My husband had never done a tri and signed up for his first--IMC! He did great. I say go for it if you have the time to train.

[quote=tri_newbie23]Can anyone tell me there experience with the ironman. Is it way intense or is it not as bad as it seems?[/quote]

that's a pretty big question
google "IM race report" or "first IM race report" or some such [not being facetious here at all...just trying to be helpful]
there are a lot of personal accounts of what the races are like

certainly, the good folks here can help with more specific questions too :)

Heck no--check out some of the training plans on this site----I personally do maybe 3 rides of 100+ miles and 3 of 80+ . 22 miles is my max distance on the run, and I will do it once or twice before I taper. My running mileage averages 35-40 miles /week.

Some people like to do a marathon first to know they can do the distance, but it is not a requirement. If you "complete the training" you will be able to finish.

To see exactly what the training looks like check out this:
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/ironman-workouts/

[quote=kylie]The training is the hard part, and the race day is the celebration! . . . I have written race reports for all of my IMs, as have many others here.[/quote]

+1 The training is the hard part; race day is just a technicality. I will admit though that when I finished my first I thought, "Meh, that's it?" Rather underwhelming. In retrospect, I was so beaten I was too numb to care. I've enjoyed subesequent IM finishes more.

I wrote a [url=www.trifuel.com/forum/14784/race-report-ironman-germany-with-pics]race report[/url] about Ironman Germany 2008.

[b]Where is a good place?[/b] If money isn't an issue, I'd go for an exotic location like Japan, Canary Islands or Nice. But more realistically for most is to stay Stateside. So which is a "good" one? After analyzing finish times for 87,194 Ironman finishers in 47* races, I can provide a few answers to eternal Ironman questions: How long does it “normally” take to finish? Which is the “easiest” course? Which is the “hardest” course?

[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x158/endurasports/IM_data.jpg[/IMG]

So, Florida has the lowest median finish time; Louisville has the slowest. But I would stop short of saying Louisville is the hardest. Why? I only had two years' worth of race finishes to look at and the first year's registration stayed open a long time which allowed a lot of late entries. I suspect the later entries came from people less-than-100% dedicated or they would have signed up day-after and filled the race immediately. Just a hypothesis. Conversely, I would not say that USA or Canada are as easy as the data suggest for the opposite reason that I think Louisville isn't as 'slow' as the data suggest. Data from USA/Canada go back 10 years to a time when Ironman was 'fringe' and only true nut-jobs did it. Then, as IM exploded, USA/Canada retained its luster which necessitated going up to Lake Placid/Penticton the year-before to sign-up on site. These people were also the highly-committed. As such, the less-committed who signed up for Louisiville Year #1 made up a small but significant portion of the data set; the highly-committed signed up for USA/Canada year after year. This committment level translates to training committment too.

Oh, and from experience, CDA and Wisconsin are about right. Wisconsin is 7,000' of rollers.

*Ironman Coeur d’Alene 2003-2008; Arizona 2005-2008, including both the April and November race; Wisconsin 2002-2008; Florida 1999-2008; Canada 2003-2008; USA 1999-2008; and Louisville 2008-2009.

I agree with Kylie that the true test is the training. Keeping your head during the race is a challenge. Not thinking too much about what lies ahead and not pushing too hard. Keep hydrating, keep eating, keep going forward. You will get to the finish line of you follow a plan. There will be doubts creeping into your mind at times. You will be hurting on the bike. You will question whether your legs will start to work and be able to keep going for 26.2 once you start the run.

If you are reasonably fit, have the time, the family support, and the desire to train and follow a good nutrition plan you can complete an IM.

The experience was amazing and well worth it.

there is no such thing as too far.......but it can be done in less

Well like I said, I decided the exactly one year and a week before that I was going to sign up for my first IM with just a couple of sprints-- and hubby had never done a tri at all when he decided to sign up when I went to Penticton to sign up for my second one (the year before). So 3 years is plenty of time.

I think 3 years is completely reasonable. Set your sights on some intermediate goals for the time being, like doing an Oly later this summer, then a half-iron , a marathon, and maybe a century ride.

Tri Sooner, that chart is totally cool. One other thing that might account for the times in Louisville would be tough weather--wasn't it in the mid-90s last year? (Wisconsin has had a few years of weather woes too).

[quote=tri_newbie23]Now what is a good nutrition plan to follow?I so want to do it. Do you think i am pushing it out to far by saying I am doing it in 3 years?[/quote]

During training making sure you are getting a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat. More carbs less fat. Protein after hard workouts. That is the super quick answer. There is much more to read about that on the forum.

Nutrition plan during training and racing is the other part. What product (Hammer Perpetuam, Infinit, Nuun for ex.) are you going to use during training and racing. What foods(PB&J, fig newtons, a hoagie for ex.) can your stomach handle and keep going.

3 years is a sensible plan. I did it in my 2nd and some do an IM as their 1st tri.
Completing a HIM in my 1st year gave me the confidence to go for it in my 2nd. I also had a background in marathoning that made the distance seem less intimidating.

Keep asking questions and searching the site.

Gotta agree with TriSooner on locations. Find your strengths/weaknesses and select a race that suits you. Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a WTC event - it may just as easily be an independent race. Don't focus too much on historical data. Certain events have a greater legacy and draw more talent. Others don't. For example, IM St. George just opened this spring and I'm astonished by the number of forum postings by people that were "excited about signing up for their first IM" followed by questions like "Is 6-8 hours a week enough training?" (yes I actually saw this question) I'm not implying that the less-experienced (myself included) can't or won't be successful. I'm simply pointing out that certain races (particularly newer ones) attract individuals that may not be as committed to heavy training loads and aggressive finishing times. That ultimately skews the results. I also think that this influx of novice racers deters more of the experienced folks.

There is no one right answer to this stuff.

Where? Pick a place that makes you excited. Which race do you read about and go "Man, I wanna experience that!" Pick one where on the day you are just comfy in bed and you'd rather hit snooze you and picture that one part of the bike course and it will get you up and taining. Also think about your strengths/weaknesses/preferences: every IM course is tough, just in different ways. Some have tons of laps, and lots of seeing the spectators, while some are emptier. Some are hillier, some are hotter. Some are ocean swims, some are lakes or rivers. Some are easier to get to based on where you live, and some sound like a hassle (or just too much challenge when you'll have enough to think about).

Timeframe? Do you want to race it and be at your very best? Do you see yourself becoming age group competative? If so, it can be smart to build into it. Get fast first, and then add distance. Or do you like the challenge of the distance? Sure, sign up for one that is next year.

Nutrition? This is one thing training is for. Read through the many threads on IM nutrition, and try out things that have worked for other people. And play with it: try things you think might work. You might fail sometimes, but you'll get to know your body and how it likes to be fueled.

Before my first IM, I was told, "If you have Ironman in your head, then you'll have Ironman in your legs." It's mental...but that's not to say that you can skip out on the long stuff! The training is tougher than the actual race, like Kylie said.

For me the race is all about the experience. We travel out-of-country for the race then stay after and enjoy someplace new. Many us of have written IM race reports about our experiences on Trifuel...it is a good suggestion to check them out.

Most imporantly, have FUN! That's what it's all about for the majority of us...

Overall, most people do them on tri bikes. BUT....hillier IMs see more road bikes. AND....ride what you can afford. There are a few on this board who can tell stories of riding very old bikes in IMs and doing just fine.

fwiw, your plan for an IM is three years away. If you decide you want a tri bike, start saving now and buy one in a year or two. I did my first 3 seasons of tris on a road bike before getting a tri bike. And I still ride both of them a lot.

[quote=tri_newbie23]
Next question is. I just recently bought a new road bike. I am wondering, do people do the ironman on a normal road bike or should I think about a tri bike for this race?
[/quote]

If you're looking a few years ahead, you have time to think about this...it's going to depend on your riding position, comfort level, and the nature of the course really.

You certainly don't NEED a tri-bike and there will be plenty of racers at any tri (IM included) racing on road bikes.

For hillier courses, more people look to road bikes since they tend to climb better and are lighter. If you can't be comfortable in an aero tuck for 6+ hrs (plenty of time to work on this in training), a road bike would probably be better, or if you have flexibility issues that don't allow you to get very low a roadbike with clip-ons would probably be better...in general.

If you continue building over the next 3 years and get more comfortable with the sport as a whole, you'll have a better idea which way you want to go...but either a road bike or a tri-bike are perfectly fine.

edit: tamara beat me to it

[quote=tri_newbie23]Ok this is perfect exactly what I was looking for. I have read a lot of race reports and they are so exciting to read.

Next question is. I just recently bought a new road bike. I am wondering, do people do the ironman on a normal road bike or should I think about a tri bike for this race?

[/quote]

I did my first sprint 3 years ago, and I'm training for IMC after a year of no tri's due to life/baby etc. I did a half the same year I did a my first sprint, and I never swam more than 100 yards in my life. That was a bad half with back spasms on the run, but I finished and I learned a lot that I am applying to my Ironman plan this year. I completely agree the training is the hard part.

As far as the bike goes, I saw a lot of road bikes at IMC last year. My current economic conditions have forced me to forgo a tri bike (sigh..), and make it work with my road bike. You can adjust the road bike enough to make it a decent tri bike, and it's really the engine you need to worry about. I can't tell you how many times I've blown by a P3 in a race on my road bike.. the bike alone will not make you fast.

Find a local tri club.. you'll meet like minded folk.

+1 on the tri clubs here's a link to directory of some US clubs:
http://www.trinewbies.com/phorum2/category-view.asp

and also check w/ my pals/sponsors at athletefocus.com it's a free training partner finder

If tri clubs is sparse in your area...look for a running club. You'll always find tri-heads on the fringe there.
Make sure though that you spend some of your workout time alone, especially the odd long ride. IM is all about you and having to rely on yourself race day. It pays to not become TOO dependant on partners. If and when you do train with others, have the self discipline to stick to YOUR schedule and goals...don't get pulled off course by folks thats turn every ride into a race or every run into speed work.

I train with my husband :)

[quote=tri_newbie23]No as far as training goes. Do you train alone or with someone? See I cant seem to to find anyone that is crazy enough to train with me.....

Everyone I ask says Hell No[/quote]

Ha ha ha! That's what everyone says to me too! Just makes me want to train harder...

I've met up with a local group while out riding a couple times and have come to the conclusion that I'm better off with one or two of my friends and alone for the longer stuff. I did a sprint at the end of season last year and got hooked- had plans to do Oly this year, HIM next year and full the following... I'm doing a half in September and a bunch of sprints/running races until then. I bought a real cheap road bike last year to make sure that I enjoyed cycling/tris as much as I thought that I would and bought a tri bike last month. I don't regret doing it that way because I'm glad to have spent less origianlly and finding out that I enjoyed it while getting a feel for my bike like/dislikes.
Have fun

I train alone for the swim and bike. I have only ever ridden with another person 4 times in 4 years. I have a running partner who I run with on most long runs. However, I ran solo for the 1st 7 years. I like having company but I also like long runs and rides to think. You have a lot of time to think during the IM swim and bike. It is nice to make friends on the run.