Am I ready to sign up for IM WI?
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RV posted 1 year ago.
Lake Geneva is a fairly tough course - there are some issues with the swim as far as multiple race distances going at once and it getting congested - I haven't done this one for the last year or so - so don't know if they addressed these issues.
A year is enough to get ready for an IM - at least to be able to finish. Personally I wanted to get a couple HIM's in first.
IMWI closes very quickly - being in Madison you should be on-site to sign up Monday morning after the race.
The bike course is a great course - lots of rollers and a bit technical in parts. As far as OWS - only thing is to get out in it and practice - you will get more comfortable the more you do.
It is definitely doable - just get a good beginners Ironman training plan and get a solid base in over the winter.
Look into joing up with HeadHunters - that is the Madison based Tri club. That should help a lot.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
I did marathons and swam before I did my first IM--had only done a couple of sprints at that point. Never did any races any distances longer than a sprint. Signed up for IMC, trained and had no problems. I don't see any reason why you couldn't do it.
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
Looking at the distances you are now comfortable with I think you'd have no problem finishing if you train well for it. After all, you have a year, and more base than some people who move to it from olympic distance (or less).
Like RV said getting in a half couldn't hurt: if you don't want to do the one you are signed up for, pick another early next year. And maybe get in a few shorter races this year to get more comfortable with the tri format, running off the bike, etc.
Depending on why you hear the race is awful it might be worth doing as a stepping stone to your IM: like RV said you never know what has been addressed year to year. And having a tough course is good -- the more pressure you are ready for the better for an IM ;)
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RV posted 1 year ago.
Ya, a nice congested swim will show you what it will be like in the IM mass swim start. Good thing with the IMWI course is that you can go wide and get some room.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
My only question is...what injuries forced you onto the bike and into the pool? Is it possible that they may resurface training for the IM Marathon? Be careful! All that said, you can do it...I met two friends at IMLP this year...it was their first race. Ever.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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CarlyBoy posted 1 year ago.
Absolutely you can do it. Coming from a run background will serve you well - the marathon separates the men from the boys (women from the girls - whatever). Many are scared of the swim. It's just a matter of confidence. You need to get yourself into some well attended events so you will not be intimidated by the washing machine. After that it's just a question of training. It's simple in theory: the harder you train (within reason), the more enjoyable your race will be.
Living in Madison you've got to get into the race! Many multiple ironfinishers treasure their first race most.
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Ultrarunner posted 1 year ago.
Sure you can do it! When I signed up for my first IM I didn't know how to swim and I didn't have a bike. My first triathlon was a half IM and my second was the Florida IM. I put in about a year of training. My background before that was ultramarathons and marathons. No doubt in my mind you can do it.
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splint posted 1 year ago.
Thanks for all the replies. I was so excited to see your responses.
I still have a little time before I have to decide for sure.
The injury was severe shin splints that came from compensating for a stress fracture in my femur that I was unaware of when training for the ny marathon. I hope it is all in the past. It has been a LONG year for me recovering from it.
Thanks again. Im sure Ill be back for more advice!
I am a marathon runner at heart, but after a year of injury I have really been on my bike and in the pool a lot. I have completed one sprint tri (last summer) and I had been planning on doing the Half IM distance in Lake Geneva in Sept. (but I have since heard it is an awful race, so I'm not sure about signing up). I live in Madison, and I have the IM in my backyard each year and it gives me the itch...BAD!!! I have biked the loop and run the race route already. The two loop thing and the whole open water idea scares the crap out of me. Do I dare register with only a sprint under my belt??? I know sign up fills up FAST, which is a big thing. Any advice would really be appreciated!
Right now my training includes 3 bikes/week (long around 50-60 miles); swim 2-3/week (long swim 2500yrds in pool); run 3-4 week (long run 10-14miles) I also throw in light weights when I have the time.
Im younger and would love to accomplish this before my husband and I start a family. I have run in 8 marathons and am craving something different! Thanks for your time and ideas.