Imaz 2008

[KSH]

Is anyone here doing IMAZ in 2008?

My cousin is going to sign up. I am so tempted to try to train for it... and toss around the idea of doing it with him. It would be perfect to race with family and to have family there cheering me on (his parents live there and my Dad would certainly make a road trip in his RV).

I know I can do the swim and the cycling portion (woo! hoo! On my new tri bike coming!)... but that dang run. UGH! My legs are better... but I'm only averaging about 5 miles a week... and I still have pain aftewards. Ice is my friend!

I might talk to my coach tomorrow and see if he can give me a marathon program that stretches out over 2 years! HA!

So, anyone else doing it?

[Running Mommy]

I could prolly be twisted into doing it again! :D
Tho I guess I have to get through 2007 first... :p

[KSH]

HA! I bet you could!

So, when does one have to register in 2007, to get a spot in 2008?

Of course, I am making no decisions until registration time comes. Shoot, I figure if I am going to travel all that way, I should at least consider it. Right?

[SBR]

I'm an infrequent lurker and a little late replying here- sorry ;) I'm from Mesa, AZ and just posted here a couple times in the past. :)

[Tri Girl]

I had my heart set on doing IMAZ in '08, but after realistically looking at scheduling and knowing what winter is like here- I just don't think it would be possible (too much cold winter training- not enough daylight- not enough warm weather training to be ready for the heat of AZ in April- I still remember how hot it gets in April). I could train just to finish, but I did that with my only IM to date, and the next one I would like to finish a couple hours earlier.

So, I guess my long answer is a very sad (wipe tear away) no.
But..... I do want to hear all about your training along the way! :)


Oh, and I really don't think I'd want to be seriously IM training on a day like today. It's going to be below zero by morning and we're supposed to get 6" of snow. I'm a serious winter weenie..... and to think our gals up north have to deal with 100X's this weather- yikes! :eek:

[KSH]

Well, my cousin sent an e-mail and he's discussing other IM options.

Including the Redman. Isn't that the one you did Trigirl? In Oklahoma... right?

We will see what works out.

BBBBUUUTTTT... I still have to get my running together. I did a 4 mile run yesterday though! One mile closer to my goal!

[Bikingmomof3]

KSH,

Great job on your running. :)

I need to find a tri to do before June 2009

[Offthegrid]

Wish I could do it with you, but I'm not going to be there yet. Maybe 2009.

I believe you'd have to register the morning after IMAZ in 2007.

I wouldn't let the run hold you back -- you're a strong swimmer and cyclist. You can walk the marathon, ya' know. :D

[KSH]

Wish I could do it with you, but I'm not going to be there yet. Maybe 2009.

I believe you'd have to register the morning after IMAZ in 2007.

I wouldn't let the run hold you back -- you're a strong swimmer and cyclist. You can walk the marathon, ya' know. :D

Yea, since we have to register in April 2007... I have been pushing myself on upping my miles to see if I can get my running back together. BUT if he opts for another IM... ???? I guess I need to get with him on what he wants to do.

Honestly, I am probably not ready for an IM in 2008. I wish I had an Olympic and HIM under my belt before doing it. If I do sign up for 2007, I will try to do both in 2007.

I do have to say this though, I love the training part... and the racing part makes my stomach turn. But I have to race, or I am not motivated to train! HA! So, I figure if I am going to train, why not shoot for the IM, vs. a Sprint?

And yea... I can walk the marathon, and I do not expect to run the entire marathon... but I want to train like I will run the marathon. The thought of walking for 6 hours (my walking pace), seems a bit like torture. I don't want my IM to be torture.

For me... and this is JUST for me... my goal is to train for a tri to run the run portion. Thus, I took a whole season off of tri's because I couldn't run. That's just my goal... but I always encourage others and tell them that they can walk the run if they can't run.

Blah... blah... blah... I can write a lot... :p Thanks for reading!

[KSH]

KSH,

Great job on your running. :)

I need to find a tri to do before June 2009

Hey, great job on YOUR running!

June 2009? Ah... you will be ready before then. Why not try for one in 2008? Find an all-women tri with a pool. It will be less competitive and a great introduction to the sport.

[Tri Girl]

KSH, you can certainly be ready for an IM in '08- really. I know your running was stalled for a whole season, but you seem to have all the athleticism and drive to complete it! Last March I did my first duathlon, then did one sprint, one oly,one half and a full IM all in a matter of 9 months. Don't sell yourself short- I know you can do it.

And, yeah, you want to train to run as much of the marathon as possible. If you go into it thinking you'll be walking it all- it'll seem like an eternity. I did run/walk intervals for the marathon and ended up with a 6 hour run leg. I had trained like it would take me 5 hours, but compounding fatigue and muscle soreness can do wonders to the body when trying to run a marathon after 114.4 miles, eh? :)
Anyway- not to try to talk you into anything, but I just know you could do it! You've come so far this season. Just focus on your running in '07, then start training at the start of '08 for the Redman in late Sept. '08.

As for the Redman (yes, that was my IM). It was the BEST race! Granted, it's in my hometown and I know all the people running the event, but that's only a little (ok- LOT) of partiality on my part. This year was so much better than last year and next year they're planning to make it even better!! It was a fantastic event, with a lot of support. Granted, the field is pretty small, so there are no crowds of thousands cheering you on, but then again, there are no athlete crowds of thousands that you're trying to swim/ride/run around. If your cousin's considering it, please tell him to seriously consider it. It's a very athlete friendly race (after all, the race committee is made up of all athletes- many are IM veterans), and with the added flexibility of having no finish line time cut-off, you'll be able to finish your race no matter how long it takes you (this year the last runner came in somewhere around 1:30-2 am). The swag/goodie bags are incredible,and the volunteers were the best. AND, you don't have to sign up a year in advance. You can sign up at the end of May (before the price jumps up) and by then you pretty much know if you'll be able to do the event. Plus, you're welcome to spend the night at my house if you do Redman- I'm literally half a mile from the start line.
Ok, enough about Redman. sorry I got carried away. My love of the event and people is tremendous.

[KSH]

As for the Redman (yes, that was my IM). It was the BEST race! Granted, it's in my hometown and I know all the people running the event, but that's only a little (ok- LOT) of partiality on my part. This year was so much better than last year and next year they're planning to make it even better!! It was a fantastic event, with a lot of support. Granted, the field is pretty small, so there are no crowds of thousands cheering you on, but then again, there are no athlete crowds of thousands that you're trying to swim/ride/run around. If your cousin's considering it, please tell him to seriously consider it. It's a very athlete friendly race (after all, the race committee is made up of all athletes- many are IM veterans), and with the added flexibility of having no finish line time cut-off, you'll be able to finish your race no matter how long it takes you (this year the last runner came in somewhere around 1:30-2 am). The swag/goodie bags are incredible,and the volunteers were the best. AND, you don't have to sign up a year in advance. You can sign up at the end of May (before the price jumps up) and by then you pretty much know if you'll be able to do the event. Plus, you're welcome to spend the night at my house if you do Redman- I'm literally half a mile from the start line.
Ok, enough about Redman. sorry I got carried away. My love of the event and people is tremendous.
__________________


You read my mind!

I was seriously about to send you an IM about the Redman. I looked up the website and I do recall seeing the information on it before, when you posted it up.

It has many appealing points:
1) Not having to sign up a year ahead of time.
2) Paying $250 vs. $500.
3) It's close to Dallas, so I won't have to drive very far.
4) Not as crowded. Although, I like the idea of crowds cheering for me... let's face it... that only happens at the finish line at an M-Dot race.

I am certainly going to forward what you wrote about the race... to him.

And, if I do it, I will do it in 2007. I don't think I could wait till 2008 for a September race. If I am going to do an IM in 2008, then I'll go for IMAZ I think, as my cousin said he is probably doing to do that one.

Oh... the decisions.

Thanks for reply! I do appreciate it!

[mel1976]

KSH just out of interest, how much training do you put in for an IM?

I'm sure given the number of posts you've provided on these boards, that you've probably answered this question before, but I'd love to know.

Do you base your training on hours or distance?

[Offthegrid]

How's the swim in Redman? I gotta start thinking out my races for 2009 ... :D ;)

[Tri Girl]

mel- I know you asked KSH, but I'll tell you what I did. I used an online (and free) iron distance training program at www.trifuel.com All the workouts were based on time. Because I was slower than they assumed I was (based on how far they thought I should be able to swim/run/bike in a given time), I usually added a little on to the weekday workouts, and more to the long weekend workouts. For a total novice like me, the training program worked. I'm a believer in it (and I've known a handful of others that used it and were successful).

Offthegrid- the swim at Redman was good! It's in a lake that is not allowed to be used for swimming (it serves as a water source for the city, so no swimming allowed- except once a year now at Redman). This year the water level was very low due to the big drought we were, and still are, experiencing. We had to walk through some mud before we hit the water, and then again when we came out. No biggie, tho. They built a VERY long concrete ramp going into the water from the shore so there was really only about 50 feet of mud walking, and another 50 feet of walking in the water until it was deep enough to begin swimming. Normally the lake is not that low, but we've been super dry lately, and it was unfortunate that there wasn't a higher level of water- can't help that. The water itself was a little cool- but my sleeveless wetsuit did just fine. The swim was a counter-clockwise triangle- shape had to be changed the day before due to water levels. Depending on the wind (which is, of course, a major factor), the water is either smooth as glass, or choppy. Race day this year it was choppy, the day before and after- smooth as glass. It's a crap shoot with the rainfall and weather, but it's a good place to swim.
I'm tellin' ya- Redman is top notch for a small sized event!

[Bikingmomof3]

I think I could do this one in 2008....

[KSH]

mel- I know you asked KSH, but I'll tell you what I did. I used an online (and free) iron distance training program at www.trifuel.com All the workouts were based on time. Because I was slower than they assumed I was (based on how far they thought I should be able to swim/run/bike in a given time), I usually added a little on to the weekday workouts, and more to the long weekend workouts. For a total novice like me, the training program worked. I'm a believer in it (and I've known a handful of others that used it and were successful).

Thank you for answering! You have done it... I haven't. You and RunningMommy are the experts here. Not I!

Thus far, I have only trained for sprint tri's. And... honestly... I don't think I ever did enough bricks to race the way I wanted to.

As far the plan I am going to use... I am going to check on www.beginnertriathlete.com... and I will also check out the site you gave a link for. I might also look for some online coaching options... so I can find a coach who can give me a plan that's suited for my skill level.

OMG! :eek: What am I saying? I'm talking like I might actually do it. :eek:

Seriously though, my heart is totally into doing an IM... but my legs may not be. I have to slowly ramp up my running miles... and even then, I am not sure my legs will make it.

So, as much as I would love to mentally commit to one... I can't do it until I see how my running comes along. I am working on it though!


OH, and TriGirl... how *different* is the finish line at the Redman vs. at an M-Dot race. I have to be honest, I want the full experience of the crowds and my name being called when I cross it.

AND... does the Redman allow wetsuits? What about IMAZ... does it allow wetsuits? Anyone know?

[KSH]

I think I could do this one in 2008....

Hhhuuuummmm.... which distance lady? :D

[Tri Girl]

I think I could do this one in 2008....

Yeah you could!!! And I'd be your personal cheering squad if you did! You could come down here and do the half in 2007, you know...
Heck, I'll be KSH's personal cheering squad if she comes out. Come on down to OK and I'll cheer for you girls all day long! :)

KSH- I won't lie to 'ya. The finish line is not like an M-Dot race. There are not thousands cheering you in. I guees it depends on what time you finish. My friend finished in 14 1/2 hours and there were lots of cheering fans. When I finished in 16 1/2 there were about 10 people (but man, were they yelling for me)... BUT Jeffrey (the race announcer who's out there ALL day long) hollers your name as you make it to the finish line, announcing you're a first timer and then calls out when you cross the line. There is red carpet laid all the way down the finisher's chute, and they're playing music, making noise, and I didn't even notice there being only a few people. In fact, I don't remember much about that moment- only that I saw the red carpet, heard Jeffrey calling my name to come home, and looked over at my DH. I'm glad he videoed it so I could watch it later. It was a happy blur. For me, I didn't mind the less amount of people- in fact it made it better because of the fewer folks, I got to talk to many people on the run course, a couple waited for me to finish, and all the finish line folks waited on me hand and foot as I crossed the line. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I'm a sucker for smaller, more personal races (have done marathons with 20,000 and marathons with 40 and I like the smaller ones better). That's just me, tho. But yeah, one day it would be nice to expereince an M-Dot race- just to do one! If you don't do Redman for your first, you gotta do it sometime just to do it- you're so close you're almost obligated to cross the Red River and spend some time up here. :D

[Offthegrid]

Now if I could mudwalk the whole 2.4 miles, that'd be the race for me. :D

[KSH]

KSH- I won't lie to 'ya. The finish line is not like an M-Dot race. There are not thousands cheering you in. I guees it depends on what time you finish. My friend finished in 14 1/2 hours and there were lots of cheering fans. When I finished in 16 1/2 there were about 10 people (but man, were they yelling for me)... BUT Jeffrey (the race announcer who's out there ALL day long) hollers your name as you make it to the finish line, announcing you're a first timer and then calls out when you cross the line. There is red carpet laid all the way down the finisher's chute, and they're playing music, making noise, and I didn't even notice there being only a few people. In fact, I don't remember much about that moment- only that I saw the red carpet, heard Jeffrey calling my name to come home, and looked over at my DH. I'm glad he videoed it so I could watch it later. It was a happy blur. For me, I didn't mind the less amount of people- in fact it made it better because of the fewer folks, I got to talk to many people on the run course, a couple waited for me to finish, and all the finish line folks waited on me hand and foot as I crossed the line. I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I'm a sucker for smaller, more personal races (have done marathons with 20,000 and marathons with 40 and I like the smaller ones better). That's just me, tho. But yeah, one day it would be nice to expereince an M-Dot race- just to do one! If you don't do Redman for your first, you gotta do it sometime just to do it- you're so close you're almost obligated to cross the Red River and spend some time up here.

Well, the finish line sounds like the sprint races, and the HIM's I have been to.

Basically, if you are near the end... the crowd gets really thin. It's that way with any race.

And, let's face it, typically if people are at the finish line, it's because they are waiting for someone they know.

I like the idea of a small race... but I also like the idea of a big race. I will be SO FAR towards the end... a larger race means more people will be back there with me. HA!

Of course, with a smaller race... that means you probably get a little closer with the people left and that is nice.

I have to say... that for my first IM... I think I want to do the "tourist" thing. Buy into all the "hype" of an M-Dot race... even though I am sure it's very commercialized and overdone. Do that for the first one... then do a small and personal one (if I even get ONE under my belt!). After the first big race, I know I probably won't want to go back. Crowds get old real quick.

I really loved your race report though, and that's so cool that you have a video of the moment. I understand how in moments like that... it all becomes a blur! *Reminds me of when I got married* Everything you have said about the race really does "sell it"!

And you know, I might make it to OK to cheer on my cousin if he does the Redman. I think he is still thinking about doing it. And it's not completely out of my thoughts... UUUGGGGGHHHH... at least I have a few months to make this very hard decision.

[Bikingmomof3]

Hhhuuuummmm.... which distance lady? :D

I have the flu, and I am feverish, so no comment. LOL I have no idea. I should do a half first, eh?

[Bikingmomof3]

Yeah you could!!! And I'd be your personal cheering squad if you did! You could come down here and do the half in 2007, you know...
Heck, I'll be KSH's personal cheering squad if she comes out. Come on down to OK and I'll cheer for you girls all day long! :)

I would chose this one because I could meet some of you. Yes, I definitely should do a half first. Running is the least of my concern. Biking, must be able to bike. I do not know if I could be ready for a half in 2007-will know more after my neurology appointment 12/22. Will it be too late to sign up? I better check into that.

[Tri Girl]

Yes, Jennifer, you should defnitely check with the neurologist first! The event has yet to fill up, and you can sign up through the summer if need be (price goes up at the end of May). The new, updated site is set to launch today sometime.
A half doesn't seem out of the question for you! I'll be here for 'ya! :)

Oh, and thank you for the Christmas card! I LOVED the boy with his tongue on the pole. Reminds me of "A Christmas Story" which is my favorite holiday movie. You're very sweet to think of me!!
I hope all goes well with the neurologist next month!!!

[Tri Girl]

KSH- I don't blame you AT ALL for wanting the first to be an M-Dot for your first. The hype and excitement is something I want to experience someday, too!!! You can't beat an M-Dot for the crowds and thrill!!! Plus, if you can make a vacation out of it- all the better!