Which did you feel was a better acomplishment?
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RV posted 2 years ago.
I was estatic for both my first HIM and first marathon. Two years ago on the HIM and last year for the marathon. Have done several more HIMs and another marathon since... Nothing compares to the first. They are both great accomplishments.
However, I can't yet grasp how great it'll be to cross the line for the first IM. I'm sure it'll be ten-fold more intense!
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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SundayND posted 2 years ago.
That's a tough one... but I'll go with the HIM being a bigger accomplishment.
I had my first HIM and first marathon this past year, in that order. Over my lifetime I've thought more about running a marathon than doing triathlons. And that marathon was probably the best race I've ever had. But you take into consideration all the effort, hours, training, travel, investment and willpower that went into that HIM, there's no comparison. I thought it was much harder too.
I pity da fool!
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PJT posted 2 years ago.
Not an easy question. I felt a pretty big sense of accomplishment after each, but it was tempered by the fact that I looked at both of these events as checkpoints on the way to a bigger goal.
I would say the marathon was easier to train for in terms of time commitment and mental focus, but it took more of a toll physically, especially during and after the race (my answer is probably different from others because I am not much of a runner). The HIM was the other way around--many more training hours and mental effort, but slightly easier on the body because of all the cross-training. Because there was so much more work leading up to the race, I'd say the HIM was the bigger accomplishment.
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Tamara posted 2 years ago.
I've never come close to doing a HIM, but just did my first sprint distance last August. And honestly, it was the biggest achievement of my life - blowing away my feelings of elation at the finish line of my first marathon, graduating law school or anything else.
See, while standing at the start of the marathon, I knew I could finish even if i had to walk some of it. So finishing was awesome (and continues to be with each race I do), but it wasn't a question mark. But standing at water's edge last summer, I didn't know with 100% certainty that I could put all three disciplines together without drowning or crashing my bike or some other mishap that would keep me from the finish line. So the sense of achievement and awesome wonder was greater with the triathlon just because the outcome wasn't a predetermined success.
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
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BluStang6 posted 2 years ago.
Tamara wrote:
I've never come close to doing a HIM, but just did my first sprint distance last August. And honestly, it was the biggest achievement of my life - blowing away my feelings of elation at the finish line of my first marathon, graduating law school or anything else.See, while standing at the start of the marathon, I knew I could finish even if i had to walk some of it. So finishing was awesome (and continues to be with each race I do), but it wasn't a question mark. But standing at water's edge last summer, I didn't know with 100% certainty that I could put all three disciplines together without drowning or crashing my bike or some other mishap that would keep me from the finish line. So the sense of achievement and awesome wonder was greater with the triathlon just because the outcome wasn't a predetermined success.
Yea...that makes alot of sence becuause it was pretty much the opposite for me. I just did my first Oly tri and I knew even if I had to walk the last 6.2 miles that I would finish. Plus I really feel that my first oly tri is just a stepping stone to my HIM that ive been thinking about for 2 years now.
But with my marathon I didnt know for sure that I was going to be able to finish but when I was on the final mile and had the most excrusiating cramps of my life (one in both calves and both quads) I knew that I would never forget that feeling of crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles. The only way to explain it is that it was the best and worse feelings of my life! lol
Anyway....I hope to get that same feeling at my first HIM.....its just so unexplainable
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JohnieTri posted 2 years ago.
I'm planning on doing my first HIM in August, so can't speak of it yet. But I did the Chicago Marathon last Oct. with my wife-6 FRIGGIN HOURS-with IT band pain starting at mile 6. No doubt I can handle just about anything after that. I think the HIM will feel better though.
-Johnie
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sldotter posted 2 years ago.
Mine would have to be the marathon. My first ever marathon was a part fo this years goofy challenge. So it was emotional for me the end of a 39.3 mile run and I got chills and about cried. What a wus I know!
Trevor Douglas YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
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jmruns430 posted 2 years ago.
For me the marathon, partly because it was the first 'big' thing I ever trained for and partly because I was a lot more sore and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The halfIM for me was a lot easier and I was a lot less sore that I had predicted.
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BluStang6 posted 2 years ago.
jmruns430 wrote:
For me the marathon, partly because it was the first 'big' thing I ever trained for and partly because I was a lot more sore and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The halfIM for me was a lot easier and I was a lot less sore that I had predicted.
That is just wierd to hear because the HIM probably takes around 2 more hours than the marathon (well it will for me). I dunno....Im just expecting the HIM to be harder than my marathon
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jmruns430 posted 2 years ago.
BluStang6 wrote:
That is just wierd to hear because the HIM probably takes around 2 more hours than the marathon (well it will for me). I dunno....Im just expecting the HIM to be harder than my marathon
I guess I should have included that I was doing my first halfIM to finish happy and I did, but I think I also tapered really well, paced myself smart on race day and did my nutrition just right. I probably could have pushed myself harder (and hurt a lot more) but I guess that's what the next one is for.
Your first marathon or first Half Ironman
I am guessing the HIM due to the longevity of the race but I was just curious as to what everyone had to say as far as how they felt
I finished my first marathon a couple years ago when I was 17 and that was probably one of the best days of my life.....and now Im training for my first HIM in Sept...so i just wanted to see what you guys have to say