I started training for triathlons in June, and did my first Sprint in August. I just did an Olympic last weekend (9/10) and now want to get ready for my first IM next year. I plan on doing the Florida IM in Panama City Beach in November of 2012. I'm signed up to volunteer on Nov 5th this year so that I can see what it's all about, as well as register for next years.
My plans are this for the year...
February: Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham
May: Gulf Coast HIM in Panama City Beach
August: Mountain Lakes Sprint in Guntersville, AL.
Sept: Gulf Coast Olympic in Gulf Shores, AL.
Sept: Augusta HIM in Georgia
Nov: Gulf Coast IM in Panama City Beach
Being relatively new to triathlons this sounds like a lot, but I'm in good shape, and think if I train hard from now till then that it's achievable goals. Or am I delusional?
Looks like a perfect little
Looks like a perfect little setup. Early Marathon which should not effect your long, slow training runs for the IM. A early season HIM for confidence and finding out what your paces should be like. A sprint and Oly to work in a little speed but not effect overall training. Half Iron 8 weeks out to build confidence and work on race day nutrition. And then a great first IM. This schedule looks solid, should avoid any burnout and gives you plenty of time to work on limiters and still enjoy the summer. I am doing my second IM next Novemeber (Cozumel) and my biggest fear is over racing due to boredom whereas my IM is so late in the season. I have raced a ton over the last four years though so I have a good idea what my recovery is like. Again your schedule looks solid for a late season IM. And don't be afraid to enter some extra sprints or 5K's every now and again to keep the race mentality and give yourself a chance to work on pre race meals which can be a huge part in racing an IM.
+1 Q.... not a bad set up/
+1 Q.... not a bad set up/ planning of racers for IM#1. I didn't know you were doing Cozumel next year. I'll see you there as well. 1st round of beers (after the race of course) is on me!
Just some thoughs,
Just some thoughs, opinions
February: Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham - Good winter base training
May: Gulf Coast HIM in Panama City Beach - Good spring race; work on bike, swim between Feb and May and marathon miles will carry over nicely
August: Mountain Lakes Sprint in Guntersville, AL. - Not necessary, unless it's something "fun" and close to home. A sprint mid-season won't do [s]much[/s] anything for your full
Sept: Gulf Coast Olympic in Gulf Shores, AL. - Same here. Olympic won't do much, so nix this because the time you'll spend racing Oly, you should be training for the upcoming half. The 2.5hrs or so you'll spend racing the full would be better spent with a 2.5 bike (IMHO). If you insist, throw in a brick afterwards and *poof*, you've replicated a race (sorta) and had better time spent.
Sept: Augusta HIM in Georgia - Look at results from this and they will suggest where need you to invest your last few hours, weeks (ie, swim wasn't so hot; bike faded, etc).
Things to do in October (during the taper to keep you occupied): Research the best PCB location for a Trifuel meetup, schedule bike tune up, get a massage, double-check hotel, flight, car reservations, buy new running shoes, restock nutrition, sleep, sleep, then sleep again
Nov: Gulf Coast IM in Panama City Beach - And you don't need to volunteer. If you want to, that's one thing. And I looked at your profile and can't tell where you live. If this is "close" or raced with friends, family, then knock yourself out. But I wouldn't give up vaca time and schlep and whole Sherpa team to PCB. It's dead in Nov and you can sign up online on Monday.
My philosophy: More training, fewer raes. Races are not substitutes for training. If you need a bunch of races to stay motivated (or committed to a plan), that agreement is short-lived (as well as funding).
T-SHIRT TIME!
T-SHIRT TIME!
I'm with Sooner, Sprint's
I'm with Sooner, Sprint's just take away from quality long course training.
Thanks for the tips. I've
Thanks for the tips. I've been getting a little bit of "too much too soon", but I think that in my current condition that I can do this with over a year of trainin time.
Btw, the Sprint and Oly are both close to home, and ones I'll be attending because my wife and a few friends are doing. I'll be there anyway, so might as well do em.
Also talking to a coach today about maybe getting some help with direction, if I can afford it.
Thanks for all the help
JRose wrote:Btw, the Sprint
[quote=JRose]Btw, the Sprint and Oly are both close to home, and ones I'll be attending because my wife and a few friends are doing. I'll be there anyway, so might as well do em. [/quote]
Hence my disclaimer. As such, go 100% wire-to-wire in the Sprint, then when you finish, keep running another hour so or so. You won't be the only one going longer. And with the Oly, pick one of the three and go all out (i.e., shoot for a 1hr bike split or 45 minute 10k), then go run another hour afterwards.
Quincyceltic wrote:T-SHIRT
[quote=Quincyceltic]T-SHIRT TIME![/quote]
Yes, since we're now evolving to Trifuel Meet-Ups at Ironman, I/we need to buy the shirts. That's mostly how I found PoC in Penticton - his trifuel hat.
http://www.sockratees.com/products/Trifuel-T-Shirt.html