The waiting is the hardest part

[BigPiney]

Ok, maybe the training is the hardest part. Still I am excited and wish it was here already. Today marks the start of my 20 week training program for a 1/2 Ironman. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 run.

Coach and I have signed up for the Utah Half and it is now only 20 weeks away. Anyone else that wants to kill themselves with us are welcome to come join the fun, there is still time. It is the cheapest one you will find and it is the flattest race ever.

My original goal for the race, seeing as how it is my first attempt at this distance, was under 6 hours. I am now hoping to take that down to 5:30:00 (35 min swim, 3 hr bike, 1:45 run, and then transitions) with anything closer to 5 hours to be awesome.

I feel like I have a good base and am ready to follow the training plan, but it is just a huge time commitment. Going to be a lot of early morning runs and rides this summer. This is the first time that I have decided that I will adhere to a training program. My wife has used them for her marathons and has been very good at sticking to them.

It begins.

[Babs]

wow. taking on the half-iron! good luck!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Don't let it kill you. Don't let it get to you.

[Eddie]

I've been watching some of the classic world championship Ironman races at Kona on TV this past week.

I can honestly say I have never had ANY desire of any kind to do something so insane. Until I watched a few of those.

Now I have to admit that something like a half ironman sounds strangely appealing.

I've still not to make it through the Ogden Marathon next month and then the Spudman in July - which will be the longest run and tri I've participated in - before I decide to push for something a little longer. Being this close to the Ogden race is cool, but at the same time distressing since I've been dealing with a calf pull/strain. But if this were a year from now I might find myself signing up to race with you.

[Coach McGuirk]

Ok, maybe the training is the hardest part. Still I am excited and wish it was here already. Today marks the start of my 20 week training program for a 1/2 Ironman. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 run.

Coach and I have signed up for the Utah Half and it is now only 20 weeks away. Anyone else that wants to kill themselves with us are welcome to come join the fun, there is still time. It is the cheapest one you will find and it is the flattest race ever.

My original goal for the race, seeing as how it is my first attempt at this distance, was under 6 hours. I am now hoping to take that down to 5:30:00 (35 min swim, 3 hr bike, 1:45 run, and then transitions) with anything closer to 5 hours to be awesome.

I feel like I have a good base and am ready to follow the training plan, but it is just a huge time commitment. Going to be a lot of early morning runs and rides this summer. This is the first time that I have decided that I will adhere to a training program. My wife has used them for her marathons and has been very good at sticking to them.

It begins.

You're a beast Piney. I, on the other hand am looking to finish. I have the swim down, I am a fish. Biking, working on, need to get my weight down. Running is the killer. I am trying but it just kills me.

I transistion today as well. I have been on a olympic with a run emphasis, but now the pain starts. I will keep try to be consistent about posting on Daily Mile, and will continue to drool at the times you are posting.

Look forward to the beating in August.

[Babs]

Don't let it kill you. Don't let it get to you.

BP, ignore the crying fool.

[Eddie]

Where is your race being held? Is this the one up at Bear Lake or somewhere else?

[RC Vikings]

Good luck Piney and Coach. Piney I think your splits are very doable it's just a matter of being able to put it all together. I think their is a very good chance that you get a tailwind on the inward portion of the bike ride which will be nice. You can spin and not fry your legs for the run. I bet you end up closer to 5 hours then you do 5:30.

[Jeff Lebowski]

BP, ignore the crying fool.

Bleeding heart.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Ok, maybe the training is the hardest part. Still I am excited and wish it was here already. Today marks the start of my 20 week training program for a 1/2 Ironman. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 run.

Coach and I have signed up for the Utah Half and it is now only 20 weeks away. Anyone else that wants to kill themselves with us are welcome to come join the fun, there is still time. It is the cheapest one you will find and it is the flattest race ever.

My original goal for the race, seeing as how it is my first attempt at this distance, was under 6 hours. I am now hoping to take that down to 5:30:00 (35 min swim, 3 hr bike, 1:45 run, and then transitions) with anything closer to 5 hours to be awesome.

I feel like I have a good base and am ready to follow the training plan, but it is just a huge time commitment. Going to be a lot of early morning runs and rides this summer. This is the first time that I have decided that I will adhere to a training program. My wife has used them for her marathons and has been very good at sticking to them.

It begins.

Good luck. How is the soleus?

[BigPiney]

Good luck Piney and Coach. Piney I think your splits are very doable it's just a matter of being able to put it all together. I think their is a very good chance that you get a tailwind on the inward portion of the bike ride which will be nice. You can spin and not fry your legs for the run. I bet you end up closer to 5 hours then you do 5:30.

Man I sure hope so. That bike course does look awfully familiar. No wind at all would be the best, but if there is one, I can hope for a south wind.

Where is your race being held? Is this the one up at Bear Lake or somewhere else?

This is in Provo.

[Coach McGuirk]

Here is a link to the race maps,

http://racetri.com/downloads/Utah-Half-Maps.pdf

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'd be tempted to tri this, but... Cycling, no problem as I do that distance all the time, and over much more challenging terrain. I've never run more than 6.5 miles, but I do that distance once a week so I assume I could eventually handle the half. But the swimming? I'm not sure I've ever gone more than a quarter mile or so in my life, I haven't gone swimming in years, and I have no desire to do so now. Plus, I've heard nasty things about Utah Lake. And shielding my blindingly white, aging carcass from public view should be regarded as a charitable act.

Good luck BP and Coach with the training. My aquatic endeavors will be limited to the hot tub.

[BigPiney]

I'd be tempted to tri this, but... Cycling, no problem as I do that distance all the time, and over much more challenging terrain. I've never run more than 6.5 miles, but I do that distance once a week so I assume I could eventually handle the half. But the swimming? I'm not sure I've ever gone more than a quarter mile or so in my life, I haven't gone swimming in years, and I have no desire to do so now. Plus, I've heard nasty things about Utah Lake. And shielding my blindingly white, aging carcass from public view should be regarded as a charitable act.

Good luck BP and Coach with the training. My aquatic endeavors will be limited to the hot tub.

A wetsuit really does wonders. The first time I went out there with a tri suit it was amazing. They are buoyant, helps you float if you just roll over on your back. It is like wearing a life preserver that makes you faster than in you weren't wearing it. Really it is like magic.

[bluegoose]

My original goal for the race, seeing as how it is my first attempt at this distance, was under 6 hours. I am now hoping to take that down to 5:30:00 (35 min swim, 3 hr bike, 1:45 run, and then transitions) with anything closer to 5 hours to be awesome.

I think these are very realistic for you, and I am thinking along the same lines as RCV that you will blow 5:30 out of the water. I don't know much about swimming times (35" seems freaking fast to a non-swimmer), but I can see you shaving 10 or 15 minutes off the bike and 5+ minutes on the run.