What was I thinking??
So I was doing some "triathamath" today and something occurred to me... I might be nuts for signing up for IMChoo. Here's my thought process leading me to these doubts....
I did IMFL in 2012 as my first and only IM to date. The bike portion took me 7:33 which was a little under 15mpg avg and I think I ended up riding around .65IF. So here it is 3 years later and I've been improving steadily and "ready" to tackle IMChoo as my second IM and improve on that time. What hit me today is that ive recently done some group rides that have averaged maybe 16-17 mph for 30 miles, riding at .91IF with roughly 1,000ft elevation, and some drafting. So looking at these 2 data points got me thinking "what was I thinking", esp given than IMChoo is hillier than IMFL.
I know I'll be training/ improving over the next 6 months, but nothing miraculous is going to happen in that time frame. I'm less concerned about the run as IMFL was soooooo bad, but that is of concern too. The fact the it is a later TT swim start and a longer bike (maybe), I think I calculated you could have as little 15:45 for the race. I did notice that when I signed up, but at the time, I was thinking it was soooo far off, I'll be way fitter by then.
Talk me off the ledge, or tell me my math looks right and I should look into the refund/transfer policy!!
I did IMFL in 2012 as my first and only IM to date. The bike portion took me 7:33 which was a little under 15mpg avg and I think I ended up riding around .65IF. So here it is 3 years later and I've been improving steadily and "ready" to tackle IMChoo as my second IM and improve on that time. What hit me today is that ive recently done some group rides that have averaged maybe 16-17 mph for 30 miles, riding at .91IF with roughly 1,000ft elevation, and some drafting. So looking at these 2 data points got me thinking "what was I thinking", esp given than IMChoo is hillier than IMFL.
I know I'll be training/ improving over the next 6 months, but nothing miraculous is going to happen in that time frame. I'm less concerned about the run as IMFL was soooooo bad, but that is of concern too. The fact the it is a later TT swim start and a longer bike (maybe), I think I calculated you could have as little 15:45 for the race. I did notice that when I signed up, but at the time, I was thinking it was soooo far off, I'll be way fitter by then.
Talk me off the ledge, or tell me my math looks right and I should look into the refund/transfer policy!!
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Comments
For IMChoo, you'll be in a different place from a multiple perspectives - 6 more months of good EN style training specifically focused on the demands of IM riding (not group rides), you'll have a taper and be rested (hopefully both mentally and physically), and you'll have a competitor's 'get-it-done' mentality. I am definitely not saying you shouldn't do some personal calculus and reflection on what's realistic or not, but don't be overawed by any perceived lack of performance capability at this point.
I've done both and I won't lie to you... IMCHOO will be harder... The swim will be faster but probably not as much of a gimme as last year....IMCHOO swim was a solid 10min faster than IMFL (that would be a much bigger savings for a slower swimmer) ... The bike will be harder/longer but its a very fast course , my IMCHOO bike was 14min slower than IMFL (same watts , not much of a differential for 3 extra miles) so for you that could be 30min? The run will be harder , my differential was 12 min between the 2 so again maybe double that to 24 min? Having followed your progress over the years , looking up your 2012 IMFL results , I have no doubt you could knock 1-1.5 hrs off your IMFL time.... I truly believe that IMCHOO won't take you longer than 1hr longer than what you are now capable of doing at IMFL.... These are very conservative estimates !
The only thing I'm gonna say to scare you is that if its a 90+ humid day in Chattanooga...... that run will look like a major Death March...
Use your doubts to focus your efforts on this goal ! 6 months is a very long time to prepare.... You know the many areas to work on....
Mommy,
Stop talkin' crazy!
Kim,
I am not an IM peep yet but I think you have this as long as you stay healthy and do what the coaches tell you. I have faith that you can do the work to have the fun when you toe the line. Just my 0.02 but i've noticed that the way you choose to label these group rides you go on leaves me to believe that they are hurting your confidence. Not improving it. You are an EN Chica! By definition you are AWESOME! Maybe the group rides aren't going to get you where you want to go?
I personally, have stopped riding with my local velo because of the way it makes me feel. I get very frustrated. Maybe there's something more constructive you can do during that time. Like awesome meal prep. to power your next couple days of awesomeness.
~Jacklyn
My first IM was when we did IMFL together in 2012 and I did IMChoo last year.
The swim is a cakewalk compared to the Gulf swim we had. Even if the current is not flowing as fast it is still a fast river swim versus waves, salty water and two loops. My swim at IMChoo was 27 minutes faster than IMFL with no wetsuit!
The bike if you watch/read coach Rich's guidance was spot on and if you follow his advice the bike is very enjoyable. It is a fast course but you have to think and follow the plan letting the non-planners blast by - you will see them on the second loop as you pass them! You can't just put your head down like IMFL but that's also what makes it more fun and it's also more scenic. If you follow the plan you will be more than prepared for the bike.
The run is much harder than Florida. You have to be prepared for the hills as they come at the worst times in the marathon. I'm a very weak runner and live in flat south Jersey so my hill prep was not optimal and I paid for it, so prepare wisely.
To Tim's last point I couldn't agree more and that is not to scare you at all but just to make sure you are prepared. Our race day was cool and not super humid and it rained for part of my run and it was still a very hard run.
Just look at the IMChoo webinar that Rich did and trust the plan you will have a great day. You have gained a tremendous amount of experience and fitness so use the next 6 months to put it all together.
I've heard so many people go through these jitters. That "math in your head" is dangerous. Your fitness and work since IMFL are going to serve you well. You will surprise yourself, and I can't wait to see it! Takes guts just to voice your fears. Many smart people have already said it... enjoy that race, you are going to be SO happy you did it!!
Kim, quit thinking.
Do the plans (to the best that life allows) as prescribed. One workout at a time. Show up on raceday. Race smart. We call it execution.
Quit thinking.
Remember this point, Ironman is an endurance event. Speed is icing on the cake. But, at the end of the day, it's about endurance/pacing/surviving. You are very tough. Take care of the business at hand.
My Ironman victories:
1. The courage to sign up.
2. Getting in the door with the registration clutter, officially DID sign up for the the crazy gig.
3. 8/9/12 months of healthy training and showing up to the START line.
4. FINISH, do whatever it takes, but finish.
5. any speed goals/dreams.
No 'yeah, but's'. One workout at a time.
I also re-watched Coach P's analysis of my power files from IMFL and wow I made a lot of mistakes. I knew how to execute in my brain, but I couldn't physicalyl do it. I did the best I could but I was really undertrained. (In large part to just being slow and not getting in as many training miles as faster folks)
Yup, I'm smarter and fitter now. And feeling more confident. So for the moment, I'm still in....
I've watched your training for the last 4 yrs and you have steadily improved in all aspects of triathlon. You are stronger, faster, and smarter than in IMFL. Forget the IF on the group rides, in 2012, you couldn't have even gone on those rides. Keep going on them, and keep training and you'll be fine. Not fine you should slack off fine. But fine, if you focus on your goals and watch what you eat and keep following the plans and training and recovering you till absolutely reach your goals kind of fine!
You can do it. I believe in you.