I think it is difficult to put a time table on the amount of time it takes to prepare for an IM event. Brett mentioned some of the aspects that you need to be concerned with when attempting a competition of such a rigorous nature. But the time table is going to be different for everyone. Some will do it faster and some slower, much will depend on factors beyond your control. For example, how well your body tolerates the abuse and how fast you can recover. There are thing one can do to aid these factors, but the rest is really how you respond.

I would recommend doing the research on various concepts regarding training and prep. Work into the distance slowly, give yourself the necessary time and experience to gauge your body's capacity. This will allow you to make small gains and determine how/when to progress.

Nell-
All good advice. I would like to add that if you're mentally up to a 1/2IM, then what's to stop you? It sounds like you have a decent running base. Brett is right about the coach...this is a really good idea and will make your performance evaluation objective.
Be sure to ask yourself 'why' you want to do the 1/2IM. Sprints and Olympics are a lot of fun! Make sure you enjoy the journey and not just the finish line - once you cross the finish line, the race is over!

Keep smiling :)

Pete

Don't get caught up in doing this or doing that first. Again here is where a coach is helpful, you should sit down at the end of every year and plan what you are doing the next year and how you plan to go about achieving these goals. You have to periodize your training to achieve maximum results, as well as, prevent overtraining and burn out. If you are doing the marathon strictly as and IM check mark then don't do it at all. Running a marathon is a huge undertaking unto itself. Ask anyone who has run 26.2 miles and they will tell you that it is a big deal. Look at where you are right now and ask yourself where do you want to be by a certain time (within reason). Hope this helps

Brett

Well, I agree that you should give your body time to adapt and all that but I would also encourage you to go for it.

I did my first Olympic last July and then did my first half-Ironman in October. Almost the same time frame as you. Your times are just a bit better than mine. I wanted to do the half-IM just to see if I could.

Here are my recommendations:

1. Find a training plan that works with your schedule. You don't necessarily have to hire a coach. I have yet to hire one simply because I don't have the money. I'm not saying a coach couldn't help me improve, and I intend to hire one before I even consider a full IM. Just find a training plan that works for you and go for it. I used a hybrid of the beginner half-IM plan on trinewbies online and the Scott Herrick's on beginner triathlete.

2. Forget speedwork. There are many schools of thought on this matter, but I would suggest you forget about it and focus on quality. I am slow and maybe speedwork would help me improve. But I believe the bigger and stronger your engine (i.e., your aerobic base), the better off you will be.

There are a lot of people who would probably disagree. But at the end of the day, completing a half-IM is about being able to run 13 miles after cycling 56 and swimming 1.2. It's not who can run the fastest 4x400. Building a big endurance base will serve you much, much better IMO. Besides, without the proper base, speedwork is wasted regarding LD endurance events and sets you up for injury. Again, just my opinion.

3. Nutrition. Start experimenting now with what strategy you will use. I tried using the same nutritional strategy for my half-IM that I did for the Olympic (adding a little more calories) and I had major stomach issues on the run. This year, I will adopt a more liquid based strategy and practice it during my Olympic race in July before my half-IMs in Sept and Oct.

4. Bike to run transition. I read on Gordo Byrn's site (which has great information for endurance tri training...gordoworld.com) to add 5-10 minute transition runs after every bike ride. I have started doing this and it really helps you get your legs/mind ready for that transition.

Since you are fairly new to tri, my advice would be to pick one...the half-IM or the marathon. I have yet to run a full marathon but hope to run my first in Dec. It remains to be seen how it will shake out in terms of balancing my half-IM training and the marathon. But with a season under my belt, I feel like I know a bit better how/what to do to prepare.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you might have. I was a little skeptical that I could go from Olympic to half-IM in one season, but I decided there was only one way to find out if I was ready...do the training and race. It was awesome and there was never one time out on the course that I felt like I couldn't finish. I didn't finish fast but I did it.

Good luck! :)

Thanks everyone for the advice! I joined team in training to complete my first tri. Our coaches are great, they've both done tri in all distances including IMs and are currently in trianing for another IM this year, making one coach's 5th IM. When our season finished our coahces said that if we wanted to keep going then they could work out a scheudle for us. They helped us get involved with the local Master's swim classes...they are great! And all the team members are going to keep training togther. :D
I was hoping to complete a November marathon but I haven't found one that is close to where I live, I'm a broke college student and need cheap transportation!
Suggestions? :confused: