Not impossible...Hard yeah,but not out of the question.
I've met a number of people at IM's, 20 or more if I think about it, that the IM was their FIRST triathlon. Period.
I'll let you in on a secret...to finish an Ironman is not that hard. It's the training that's hard. If you can get your head wrapped around that...you can finish.
Get some help...I'm a big supporter of self coaching, but with the time you have, some outside direction is a must.
And of course you have access to all the great folks who lurk here as well as great articles and training programs.
Best of luck,and let us know how it goes.

Coaches are cheaper than fancy wheels.... they are also a better investment. I really recommend it.
Stupid... no way, your my type of triathlete!
I bought a road bike, entered that month into a century ride.... passed out and vomited at mile 68.... had to be driven home.. 20 hours later when i woke up, i registered for my first olympic race... got 4th in my age. Set ridiculous goals....my coach busts on me sometimes because he thinks i'm an idiot, but if you set the bar high, you won't fall far from it.

You have to figure out what is right for you...
Some folks are lean at 10% and others not.
I hold a consistant 10 to 10.4% but you wouldn't say I'm lean. I have been as low as 7 and was sick and injured alot...YOU have to find what is right for YOU!
Undertaking an IM or any endurance event is a journey of self -discovery.
You can be TOO lean for IM...you have to go in with some reserves,especially considering your situation. Your training should give you an idea of how lean you can get and still be able to bike for 6 or more hours...then run for 4 or 5.

I'd add something here. You are NOT going to finish that swim unless you get some serious correction. Swimming that distance at your fitness level is more like golf than it is like biking. You may be able to bike and run the required distances - but you already know how to bike and run and they are fairly simple.

What you don't know how to do is swim. I recommend you go to a Total Immersion weekend clinic so that you can survive the swim.

:eek: :eek:
WOW!!!

Well.... I would recomend Masters Swimming!
The bike? you can do it! The run? also!
Just follow these guys advice...and get a coach.
But most important go to masters swimming sesions.

If you get a training plan online you will still need somebody to check you out in the water...! Or at least.... that´s the only leg where I feel you should get a little outside help. It´s hard to correct technique being alone.

good luck man!!!

Hello there: I must say that I think you are rushing into things here. If what you say is true and I quote: "I HAVE NEVER DONE A TRIATHLON, I HAVE NEVER RAN A MARATHON, I HAD JUST BOUGHT A BIKE (by this I am assuming you also have never riden a bike long distances) I CAN'T SWIM MORE THAN A FEW LENGHTS WITHOUT STOPPING BECAUSE MY BREATHING IS SHOCKING" I think that definetly you are rushing into things. Look, this sport is NOT going to disappear over night so my feelings are that you will be better off starting from the bottom and by this I mean, start with Sprint Triathlons and work your way up. You mentioned your level of fitness isn't to bad, and by this I think that you meant you are not overweight, but for what I read, you probably are not in shape to jump into an Iron Man. You said that you know how to ride a bike and how to run, well, I guess everybody knows how to ride a bike and how to run but this is very serious biking and very serious running indeed. And as far as the swim part of this race, I definetly think you need to learn how to swim efficiently first before you jump into any body of water to swim 2.4 miles. And swimming in open water is VERY DIFFERENT than swimming in a pool so, this might be kind of tricky for someone who can't swim but a few lenghts because your breathing is shocking. From my point of view endurance for the long swim, bike and run in an Iron Man race is achived with patience and time. I am no expert by any means, I am talking from my own experience. You also didn't mentined your age so, I am assuming you are maybe in your late 20s, am I right? Look, I am not trying to be negative or pessimistic but I really think you should get some experience first by doing the small races. You said that "better to set some goals than not", well, great, set some goals but do it right. Anyway, this are my thoughts on this. Good luck and my best wishes in what ever you decide to do.
Maria.

Hi Tim. I am new to triathlon, and am too struggling between the desire to immediately enjoy the mythic qualities of the sport and the principle of gradual progress. A piece of training advice that has been helpful to me is that the more steps one takes toward reaching a goal, the more successful they will be. This is not to say that you shouldn’t jump right to Ironman, or that it won’t be a valuable experience. It merely says that you are more likely to be successful (better finishing time, less injury-prone…) if you build up to that goal over a few years. Thus, jumping right in and gradually progressing are two training methods that will lead to different Ironman experiences. You should decide which experience will be most beneficial to you. I suggest picking up a book like Joe Friel’s Triathlete’s Training Bible or talking to a coach; both will help you make the choice in a conscious and purposeful way. Good luck.

Hello Tim:
I have been reading this thread and is really interesting to see the different point of view from all the guys in here.
I am new at this sport also, you could say that this is my first season, an actually I just have compete in one Sprint, and my next one would be next month...just two in my whole life.
I read your your initial post, and well, you are young....you have played sports...and I can tell that you have miles and miles of heart....and that is awesome...
Now....I don´t think you are rushing into things......so from this side fo the continent I wish you the very best...train hard really hard....eventually to the point of pain...a let us everybody know how it goes.
PD:In my case I am gonna take things one step at the time....Sprints....Olys...and so on....
Best wishes amigo