Too weak?

[limewave]

I'm dying to do an Ironman. I've only done two tri's (a sprint and an Xterra) so I'm not a tri veteran by any means. Right now, I know I don't have the time to commit to training for a full Ironman, but I'd really like to go for a 1/2 next year.

DH doesn't want me to. He thinks my body isn't built to handle that kind of stress. I know where he's coming from . . . I've had some health issues for a long time but they were always misdiagnosed. Now I think we've gotten things under control and I'm starting to feel better than I've felt in ages. DH remains skeptical . . .

I'm frustrated. I want so badly to do this but I really want DH's support. I know he's just looking out for my health, but I think he's wrong. I think I can do it.

[Zen]

if you think you can do it, you can do it.

I think you can do it, too.

It would be better to have his support but don't let him hold you back. It will result in some conflict though, so be ready to stand up for yourself.

There's only one way to find out.

[KnottedYet]

I think you can, too.


After all the misdiagnoses you went thru, I can see why he's nervous. Maybe he needs reassurance? If your doc told him it was ok, would he feel better about it?

[Veronica]

He loves you. He's worried about you. Give him some time to see that your health issues are under control. He doesn't want to lose you and he doesn't want you to be sick.

It drives me nuts sometimes how Thom "hovers" when we're mountain biking. But I know my accidents this summer freaked him out. He'll get over it eventually and so will your husband.

Maybe compromise and go for an Olympic distance next.

V.

[kelownagirl]

I say go for it. Can you get a doctor's support? Maybe that would put your hubby's fears at ease?

[rocknrollgirl]

Ahhhh...Men. Strange wee beasties. Chris sometimes get all weird and protective of me too, but it comes from love. It is all in the delivery.


Now about the training. I think that if you are feeling up to it you should try. Just start slowly and get on a good plan. Just very quietly show him that you can handle it, by actions rather than words. He will come around.

[Zen]

Love?
Or control?

[limewave]

Love?
Or control?

It's love. He's not a controlling guy at all. This is the first time he's voiced concern over something I wanted to do. That's why I really want to take what he says to heart and consider it.

I will have to talk to my doctor and see what she says. The 1/2 I want to do isn't until July so I would have plenty of time to train and get health issues under control.

[spokewench]

The thing about training is this: It is a gradual and should be a gradual increase of what you are doing day to day, week to week. If you are smart and have a good training plan that brings you along at a pace that your body can take and you REST when you really need to, you should be fine. If you find that you are not recovering or something is going weird with your health, you have the option to REST some more and readjust your training schedule! It is all under your control. If you find that it is too much, then you decide to do something else other than the original plan. It is not a failure it is just a readjustment in goal that is all.

So, reassure your SO that this is what you are going to do and that if your body is protesting that you will listen to it! You will be fine!

Spoke

[light_sabe_r]

Limewave. Your hubby loves you. He's worried about you.

So I agree with Veronica: Incorporate some Olympic distance events into your training to work up to your first HIM. ^_^ It'll show him that your body can handle the stress

[rocknrollgirl]

Hmmm,

Can't speak to anyone else, but when my husband expresses concern or is protective, it is done so out of love, not control. Had to chime in since I spoke about my dh......

[Molly G]

I just completed my first 1/2 Ironman last weekend. If you're motivated enough to do the proper training for it, then you will definitely be able to finish the race. I would'nt recommend signing up for an Ironman before having raced a 1/2 or even an Olympic. The Olympic may be the way to go--see how you like it, then go register for the 1/2. As far as weakness goes--I'm 48 years old and weigh 110 lbs.--it's all in the training and definitely zeroing in on your weakness and working on it. But also be prepared for race day and the fickleness of the weather which can always throw you for a loop. My strength--running--was my undoing in this race--it was 89 degrees with humidity and no shade on the run from mile 2 to mile 12--but I finished, and I know that you can do it if you're motivated--it's fun! Good luck!!

[KSH]

I'm dying to do an Ironman. I've only done two tri's (a sprint and an Xterra) so I'm not a tri veteran by any means. Right now, I know I don't have the time to commit to training for a full Ironman, but I'd really like to go for a 1/2 next year.

DH doesn't want me to. He thinks my body isn't built to handle that kind of stress. I know where he's coming from . . . I've had some health issues for a long time but they were always misdiagnosed. Now I think we've gotten things under control and I'm starting to feel better than I've felt in ages. DH remains skeptical . . .

I'm frustrated. I want so badly to do this but I really want DH's support. I know he's just looking out for my health, but I think he's wrong. I think I can do it.

Well, timing is everything.

You don't have to sign up for an IM now or even make that decision. So just drop it with the hubby.

Train for a HIM and see how that goes. If it goes well, then bring up training for an IM. He will probably be more on board with it, if he sees that you made it through HIM training.

And if you do a HIM earlier in the seson, then you can pick an IM that you want to do. I say this only because if you do a HIM around late Oct/Nov, you will be limited in your choices of M-Dot IM's to sign up for.

Try to find an IM around May-June and then you can pick from a handful of IM's.

GOOD LUCK! And only you know your body and what you can do. Listen to your body and see how next year goes.

[KSH]

I would'nt recommend signing up for an Ironman before having raced a 1/2 or even an Olympic.

OOoppssss! I signed up for Ironman Kentucky 2008 before doing my Half Ironman! I get to do that October 7th. ;)

But yea that is good advice! I would have liked to have followed it myself. It was sign up before the HIM or basically only have a shot at IMFL 2008... and I didn't want to do that one.

[solobiker]

I have always wanted to do an IM too. I have done a few sprint Tri. My legs for the running have been my limiting factor. My hamstrings love to tighten right up. If I focus on a lot of yoga and stretching I can kind of work it out. My running is usually limited to about 4 miles. I think, no I know you can do it. Just take it slowly and let me know how it goes. I think I may try to train for one next year too. Let me know if you want a distant buddy. S

[Tri Girl]

I agree with everyone else.
If you feel up to it, then give the training a go. You know your body best, and if the doc feels it's ok, and you feel ok- then go for it. I think DH is just being protective and is genuinely concerned for your health.

You never know until you try... ;)

[Wahine]

Limewave, I believe that you can do it. But I also feel like I need to make sure that you've done your reality check.

Most of the people I know train about 300 to 600 hours for a HIM distance race. I am usually traing for 13 to 18 hours per week for that distance.

Is your back OK? Do you feel like your body can take it. 13 miles running after 56 miles on a bike is tough on the system and you'll be out there for anywhere from 5 to 7 hours in total.

Finally, your DH is worried for a reason and it does have to do with control but not in a bad way. If you decide to race he will have no way to help you if you are in trouble. My DH gets way more anxious before my races than I do. One time I asked him why and he said it was because he can't make the decision for me of whether or not I should go on. His arguement was that if things were going south and I wasn't functioning well, he had no ability to influence my decision to stop and as stubborn as I am, that was a very scary prospect for him. So before I race we go over the game plan, I reassure him of my decision making process. Eg - I will stop if I start seeing double....

You can also not sign up for the race and just start to train and agree that if it becomes too much you'll back off but if you're handling the training load well by _________ date before the race, then you'll sign up.

Be sensitive to your sweetheart, he means well, they're hard wired to want to protect us. And be honest with yourself. I truly believe you can do it but you have to know what you're up for, especailly since you're a relatively new mom.