Tell Me Why I Shouldn't Retire From IM?!?!!
I'm just back from Moab, Utah and I'm thinking of "retiring" from IM after IMLP in July.
My friends coaxed me into mountain biking and I'm HOOKED!
I'm thinking to myself, "why stare at white lines on asphalt hoping that I'm not hit by a vehicle when I can ride the trails and really enjoy the scenery?"
What sayeth 'da Haus?
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Alessandro,
Focus changes over time if mountain biking is the new exciting thing that keeps you out exercising then go for it. I really don't have good trails where I live but if I did I'm sure I'd get out more on the moutain bike.
Having said that you can still do triathlon even IM if you want although I would suspect 1/2 and shorter would be much easier to train for while biking a lot. Just remember going in to IM that you are there to participate, no PB's should be expected. If you keep up your running then you should be able to jump in to a 12 week IM plan using some mountain bike rides.
Will this be optimal no, but it can be done. I think the biggest issue is the run and not getting injured. If you don't have the time to run then shorter races would be better. You can always come back to IM.
Gordon
No need to make a retirement decision. After LP don't sign up for another IM until you want to do it again...if ever.
If I lived in a part of the country where this was feasable I'd be all over it. Good Luck!
My guiding principles:
I haven't raced Ironman since 2008. Before that was 2005. Before that I did 6 races in five years. IM wasn't fun for me anymore so I stopped.
I'm registered for IMWI...and I still wouldn't call it fun
. But I'm looking for epic formal and informal rides and runs to do to keep the training fun, as that's the kind of thing I like to do with my fitness. So I'm putting fun, cool, epic stuff on my calendar throughout a summer that eventually leads me to an Ironman at the end of it, because that's the process that is fun for me...not the training.
In short...this is all just a game. If this game ain't fun anymore, find a new one. It's that simple.
I am in a similar situation. I decided some time back that after this year IM LP , I am not going to sign up for an IM next year. I enjoy triathlons and as Rich put the fitness lifesystle. But do I really want to put in 12+ hrs a week to train for an ironman ? The answer personally was no. I will probably sign up for some local races, maybe a 1/2 just for fun but nothing serious and definitely nothing planned. I might try some ultra-distance trail runs , I have been told those are fun
In the end you should do what you enjoy.
Doesn't have to be forever. That's the place I'm at. After 3 of them, Ironman is wiped from my mind right now. May return, may not. But I'm still in the sport I enjoy, just at much shorter distances--and it feels really good.
Oh yeah, definitely check out Xterra if you want to incorporate mtn biking into the triathlon thing, very very fun IMO!
Welcome to the wonderful world of dirt! I'm taking an IM sabbatical and having fun riding my mtb this year. Lots of fun options: there are 2 new Xterras in Ontario and Tremblant this summer, 100/62/50 mike mtb races, 24 hour mtb races, and cool trips to Fruita/ Sedona/whistler to ride. No texting and driving morons behind the wheel of a huge SUV on trails.
Come hang out in the off-road world for a bit. The vibe is awesomely laid-back and friendly. If and when IM fever grabs you again, you go back to it with better bike handling skills!
There was never any question for me that riding up and down hills/mountains on dirt, pine needles, rocks, roots, under canopies of pine trees and through rhododendron forests etc etc is far preferable to riding endless miles alone on scary highways. I was heavy into pure mountain biking from 1994-2005, and loved every Xterra race I ever did. The only reason I stopped was, after age 60 I started to worry too much about falls and broken hips.
BTW, there may be nothing finer than going up impossibly steep red rock inclines on fat tires in early May. Especially after a winter of snow, rain and freezing pipes.
IM is way too hard and time consuming to do unless you are getting some serious reward from it. I'd rather swim in a lake than a pool, ride off road than on, and run on trails than concrete. But I also like to win, so that's why I race triathlons which give me a big competitive buzz, and IM currently fills that bill.
If you do not want to do IM any more than that is easy, dont. As a bit of a counter point in terms of safety and mountain biking I have hurt myself on a mountain bike many more times than I have on a road bike. Things like trees and rocks are pretty unforgiving. Its nice not to worry about jackass drivers but I was always in danger of my own jackassery. I would like to think that things like full suspension would have helped but it seems likely that we would have just been riding sicker lines and been in more danger.
Regardless, good luck.
It took me a while to come to terms with moving away from IM. Now, it's a great relief.
Follow your heart! I'm loving my new sport, in so many ways. It's a particular joy to be away from the scrum of IMNA events. Small is beautiful!
I might get psyched up about doing another IM in a few years but I'll be "retired" from 140.6 racing come May 22nd.
If you can't enjoy what you do, what's the point?!?! If you like the dirt, go be a kid and go play in it!
A hearty thanks to all for your responses. The dream of a Kona slot still motivates me - however, no need to do IM every year ... every 2nd year is fine. Going forward, my season will incorporate MTBing + Xterra.
@Michelle - I agree - Moab is unique. I too live our East (Montreal) and realize that the MTB experience will be different. What's really appealling about MTB is not having to worry about motorists while riding!
@Kitima - I hear you. Can't wait for Xterra Tremblant! Fruita, CO is amazing Didn't ride though just visited. Any noteworthy MTB events in Upstate NY and/or Vermont?
Cheers!