Instead, I've looked into some other Iron-distance races and here's what I'm considering for 2008:
1. Ironman Louisville (7 hours away, the day before school starts)
2. Ironman Wisconsin (3 hours away, two weeks into the school year)
THEN THERE'S THE "HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED ANYTHING?" PLAN:
I found a non-Ironman brand race that is just 3 hours (and 14 weeks) away on the second weekend in September. That's right. I'm considering doing this this year.
I admit, I just want to get this 140.6 monkey off my back ASAP and then go for the M-Dot next year. I also know that there are plenty of ways for me to set myself up for success, and this probably isn't one of them.
Here's why I think this might work: I will be in Iowa all summer with nothing but time on my hands until school starts. That's eight weeks of being left to my own devices -- no school, no friends, no other life. So for more than half of the time between now and race day, I'll have nothing better to do than train. Wouldn't it be helpful to have a big juicy carrot out in front of me?Okay. I'm ready. Hurl your grumblings, naysayings, and sage advice now.
9 comments:
Why does it always have to be a carrot? Why can't it be a bag of jelly beans or a slice of cheesecake?
Labeled or not 140.6 is an ironman.
I think you can do it!
May I suggest the Oklahoma Redman? Awesome support and a small race. Email me and I'll tell you more.
Honestly? If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
I tend to think of Ironman preparation as at least a year-long endeavor (not that I've done one, mind you). I don't know what kind of base you have built-up right now, but 14 weeks isn't a very long time in the scheme of endurance training.
How about a half? :)
I tend to agree with Andra Sue, only because cramming a years worth of training into 8 weeks is a recipe for trouble. But more importantly, take what you learned from the IMAZ experience - knowing what you know now, do you feel you could finish this race with the training you had? I totally know the IM monkey, he lives right now on the handlebars of my dust-collecting tri bike at the moment but if I have learned anything, its that there will always be a race.
Personally, I would still try to focus on IMAZ, but that's really sort of selfish because I am doing it and it would cool for you to avenge it next year.
Some folks manage that approach:
13 weeks to a 13-hour Ironman
And there's the minimal approach:
Pony-tail guy
Bike course for IMKY looks preferable to IMMoo if you just want to collect the M-dot. Before school versus during school also counts.
Oh Andra and Megan and your voices of reason...
Brent: that's exactly the plan I am going to follow (I have Gale Bernhardt's book). The first week looks pretty easy, so I should be alright.
The "doability" of the course for M-Dot collection purposes is not as much of a factor as is the timing with school. (Though I'm not planning to attempt, say, Canada or Lake Placid anytime soon.)
Winz: Have it your way...I'll treat it as a filet mignon.
Geekgirl: I'm intrigued...but at nine hours away during school, I'll have to _really_ look at my schedule. Expect an e-mail soon.
Whoops! I left Duane out:
That's _exactly_ what I wanted to hear! :D
So, did you pick one and sign up? Just don't hurt yourself. :)
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