1st Full Iron
3892
Member
1723 days
Anton posted 13 weeks ago.
Deep Breath. Blow out. Relax. You'll be fine. It sounds like you were wise enough to give yourself a "ballpark" finishing time which says to me...you're not too hung up on when you finish. A good thing for a first IM.
You just have to repeat to yourself..."I've done it all in training..I can put it together out there."
Just remember to "keep moving forward." Really, the training is the hard part...race day always takes care of itself. Remember as you start your taper that, to quote myself: "There is nothing you can do to improve your fitness and a million things you can do to screw it up." Stick to the plan. Avoid sick people. Make sure the bike is A-OK.
Trust in your training, and trust in yourself.
Best of luck and looking forward to the After Action Report.
"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com
117
Member
197 days
kpollock posted 13 weeks ago.
It's normal to have doubts! I did my first IM 3 weeks ago and followed the program from here. I didn't even come close to the training you've done (marathons, masters swimming, running after 100 mile bike ride) and I finished in exactly the time I trained for....and more importantly, enjoyed every minute of it. Since it was my first tri, I had no idea what to expect, therefore I had no expectations. I just followed my training plan, took advice from seasoned and newbie triathletes and started race day morning just like it was a training day, except with a bit more butterflies! I'm not going to lie, during the marathon I was wondering the same thing..."what did I get myself into!" but that's the love/hate relationship of IM distance and why I did it....It's definitely not easy but it's so rewarding!! My advice is to not go too hard on the bike, stay within your pace. It's easy to get caught up in faster riders. Trust your training, it has prepared you for the distance.
Enjoy race day and look forward to your race report!
191
Member
437 days
sasquatch posted 13 weeks ago.
I'm feeling the exact same way right now as I have IMC in 10 days....
What I've found helpful is to remember that before my first marathon I had never run that far. In fact my longest run was 18miles, but I had no problems finishing my marathon because I had trained very well for it, and I went out and controlled my effort and watched my fueling.
Before my 1st double century bike, the longest ride i had done was 90 miles. Once again, control the effort, pay attention to fueling, and it turned out just fine.
The IM is no different. Control the effort and watch the fueling and you'll(I'll) be fine.
5783
Member
2082 days
beads1985 posted 13 weeks ago.
You did the training, taper carefully, now there is nothing to it, but to do it.
Worse comes to worse, Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!
Semper Fi
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
1816
Member
1393 days
gfd posted 13 weeks ago.
You are more than ready. Listen to the outstanding advice given above. Good luck!
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
162
Member
2034 days
DSmith posted 13 weeks ago.
You will be surprised how quick those 12 to 14 hours go by. You sound like you have done the work. Now is the easy part.
44
Member
152 days
jarhead posted 12 weeks ago.
Thanks all. After this weekend I know I am ready. did a 100 mile ride on Saturday and then on Sunday I did a 7 mile jog and then a half marathon race, and I was actually gettin stronger with each mile that went by. Time to start tappering. I'll be sure to post my race report results!
Pain is weakness leaving the body.
All... I've got my first full iron distance race coming up in less than 30 days (Redman, Oklahoma City) and starting to second guess myself. I've done a HIM (Buffalo Springs, 6/09) but never a full. I didn't do to bad on the HIM (No walking). After the HIM I've been training like a mad man following the 36-week to IRON training schedule posted here on the website. I've rode up to 101 miles w/ a 5 mile run after, ran a few marathons, and my current training has me swimming in a master's class 2,700-3,000 meters 3x a week. Individually I know I can do each of these, but all 3 at once has me second guessing myself. Training wise I think I'll be fine, but when I start to think about how long this might take me (12-14 hours), I start re-thinking what the hell I got myself into. I start my taper next week.
How do yall cope with this?
Pain is weakness leaving the body.