HIM here I come!

3chilipeppers · Feb 20, 2008

Well, I've pretty much decided I'm doing the Longhorn HIM here in Austin on Oct. 5!! I'm going to need lots of advice along the way, since I'll be self-coaching myself. Right now, I'm working on a training plan. Most are 20 weeks, so I'd start in May. I'm just trying to figure out what to do between now and then, as I'll be doing my first sprint of the season on June 8. I'm also trying to figure out how to fit everything in without sacrificing too much family time. That's the hard part!! 
I know I can do this, but it is a little scary. Just think, this time last year, I didn't even know what a HIM was!!! 
So, here's a quick question: 
Do I need to do 3 workouts per discipline a week? I really don't think I need 3 swim workouts, so I'm dropping one. Is that going to be o.k.? I did an Oly last year with 1 swim (if that), 2 bike, and 2 run workouts a week. It was a GREAT race! So, increasing each of those by one a week seems like it should be enough if I am focusing on exactly what I need to work on. 
I know it depends on my goal. My goal is to finish the race feeling good. Of course, I'll have some sort of time goal by then (right now, I'm thinking 6:30, but I'm sure it will change!), but I really just want to feel good. My goal for this season is to become stronger on the bike. 
I really want to do a triathlon swim class for the next 2 months as my swim workouts. The class is 1 hr., 15 mins. long, and I plan to go 2x a week. Then, starting in May, I'll do my own workouts. I just would like some tips on swimming more efficiently, so I think the class would help. It is like a masters class, but they focus on long distance and freestyle. It only costs $75 per month, so if I go 8x in a month, that's only $9 a session. That's a deal! 
Any advice from those that have done this is greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'll have a TON of questions along the way. Anyone have a family-friendly training plan they want to share? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

RunningForT3 · Feb 20, 2008

I'm glad you finally decided to do it, you were the last one from the old CR Sprint/Oly bunch who didn't want yet... So cheers to your DH!! 
I also made my own plan for 18 weeks. I'm aiming for 3 runs, 2 bikes and 2 swims / week. I might add one bike or one swim, depending on the schedule. I could email you an Excel sheet with my plan. 
Hey, I knew what HIM was last year... it was something I'll never do. But well, 3 years ago a 10K run was like a lifelong plan <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

3chilipeppers · Feb 20, 2008

I hear ya!! 3 years ago? Try 1 year ago! LOL I started all this in August 2006 when I wanted to lose 10 lbs. I started running then, so it has only been a year and a half! I just ran my 2nd HM ever, and last year's was my first race ever! Now, I have lots of races (well, a few). No HIM, though. I need to add that one! Then, someday I may add a full mary to the list as well. I'm not sure DH knows what he has gotten into! LOL 
I definitely want to stick with 3 bikes a week if I can. They are the hardest to fit in, but that's my true weakness! E-mail me whatever you want. 
kelli AT hugheshouse DOT net

Tri-Tammy · Feb 21, 2008

Woo hooo Kelli. 
My race isn't until September. I have loads of time to worry about it too! 
I'm shooting for three workouts in each a week. We'll see how that goes.

SpartyGirl · Feb 21, 2008

Good news Kelli! Mine is August 2nd...although it seems that summer will never get here.

LookiLoo · Feb 21, 2008

Congrats Kelli, that's awesome! 
I am also self-coaching, but I do have a swim coach who is also a tri coach, and I run with a bunch of fairly serious triathletes that have handed out some good advice for my training plan. We also get a ton of great advice on these boards, so I'm sure you'll be fine self-coached! 
I am going to do 3 of each discipline per week, but I think you would be fine to do 2 swims per week. I did 2 swims per week for the oly last summer, and I was totally prepared. Since the HIM swim is not that much longer than the oly, you should be all set! I'm more concerned that I get enough time on the bike - for some reason it seems to be the thing I dread the most - pretty much b/c it is *so* time-consuming compared to the run and the swim. I'm getting more disciplined with it though.... 
We'll definitlely have to revive the HIM training thread, we have an fabulous bunch of HIM newbies!!

RunningForT3 · Feb 21, 2008

Kelli, I sent you my home-made plan. Do more of your weakest sport. 
Losing 10 lbs got quite expensive, didn't it? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> 
Sometimes I think about how expensive this sport is, and how easy it was when all I had to pay was $20-30 for a road race fee, and maybe 2-3 pairs of shoes every year. Now I feel like I'm spending all that yearly budget in a month!

Heather H · Feb 21, 2008

Hey Kelli, here's the base plan I am planning to start in May, it's one of those free ones from beginner triathlete. I'm sure I'll change it up based on info from the triathlete's training bible. I know you're good at figuring out a plan so I'm sure by looking at a few plans you'll come up with a perfect plan for you. <a href="http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=52" target="_blank">http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cm...p?articleid=52</a> 
It's interesting to look at where we were compared to where we are now. 2 years ago I would never have believed that someday I'd do a HM and want to do a HIM!

Heather H · Feb 21, 2008

oh, on that website the actual plan is about halfway down the page and you have to click on each pdf to see each week's workouts.

itri · Feb 21, 2008

Congrats! You will be hooked. One thing I would suggest adding to your trianing plan is nutrition. You can kind of 'wing' an oly nutrition wise and get away with it if your not correct with calories or hydration, but it can really impact your performance when your doing a half or full IM. 
If you havent already, when you start in May have a base line nutrion plan mapped out and start tracking it during your training, particularly your long runs/rides (sweat rate, cal/hr, etc.) Then you can adjust accordingly and have confidence in this part of your race. 
Good luck!!! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

ksurp · Feb 21, 2008

Congrats for signing up! I did my first HIM last summer and coached myself. It was a blast and I"m looking forward to this season. 
Cycling is my weakest discipline too. I found a local women's cycling club that has organized rides once a week. They were great with teaching me the basics. Check with your LBS to see if there is a club in your area. Also my boss is a major cyclist so it's like having an in-house coach. 
I adapted a 20 week plan from Matt Fitzgerald's Essential Week by Week Training Guide. 
In terms of "family friendly" I started many of my long rides very early on Sat/Sun am so I could be home not long after my family got up. Because we have a treadmill I could do a lot of my runs very early in am or after kids went to bed. DH was also great about taking the kids out in the canoe along side me while I did open water swims. 
Good luck and have fun!

3chilipeppers · Feb 21, 2008

Thanks everyone for all the support! I guess I didn't realize how many of us are doing HIMs this year!! That is SO cool! Looks like mine is last, so I can learn from everyone else, right? 
I think I'm going to start right now with 2 per week, then I'll go to 3 runs and bikes per week in May. I only did 1 swim per week for my Oly, and I was totally fine. I wasn't fast, but that wasn't the goal. I also am worried about the time on the bike, but I think I can find it. At least school will be back in when I get to the longest workouts. We'll revive the thread. 
Thanks for the plan. I haven't looked at it yet, but I will. That's funny because I chose running to lose weight because it was free and I could do it anytime and anywhere! Then, I got into tris... (which I love!) 
I've already looked at that plan. I may use some stuff from it. I'm sure I'll end up doing my own plan using the Training Bible with a few other plans thrown in as a guide or something. 
Thanks! I know nutrition is a big part. That's the part I'm most worried about figuring out, but I think I'll be o.k. I know I don't sweat a lot (but I don't know my sweat rate), and I already know about how many calories per hour I burn running. I may be asking questions later about this. I live in a hot climate, so I have to account for that as well. It will still be warm in October. My Oly was Labor Day, which is usually SUPER hot (it wasn't too bad last year, though). I was able to get by with Gatorade on the bike and one gel. The run was all sports drink. So, fortunately, my body isn't too picky. I just have to make sure I figure it out. 
Thanks! I know the bike shop down the road does group rides on Saturday mornings. I've already planned to do my shorter runs in the mornings and at least one swim. The biking is the hard part. I know my long rides will be Sat. morning. Last year, I was out by 7 doing them, so that isn't a problem. It's the evenings that are the hardest for me. I have my 3 kids all day long, so I have to train evenings and weekends. For the next couple months, I will have SOME daytime hours to train. That's when I hope to do the tri swimming class.

mmoonptdeux · Feb 21, 2008

Congratulations Kelli! I'm kinda' envious of all you folks - I'm sort of a step behind on the ladder; I'm just hoping I can get in my first Oly this year with the off-season kinda' being a bust because of injuries. 
I'll be rooting for all you newbie HIM'ers and looking forward to planning one hopefully next year <crossing fingers>

neil donnelly · Feb 21, 2008

Well done Kelli for making the jump - you will do great 
Good luck with it 
I am looking forward to the RR already 
N

3chilipeppers · Feb 21, 2008

Don't be envious, Joe. You do what you're ready for. I honestly think the Oly distance will be my favorite. I wasn't even going to do one last year, but BIL was thinking about it, so I signed up. He ended up not having time, but I was SO glad I did it. I had a great time! I thought a HIM was a few years off for me, but DH encouraged me. How can I argue with that? I thought he would have major objections because of the training time. 
Everyone is at a different place, and honestly, not everyone WANTS to do a HIM (just like not everyone wants to run a marathon). You just concentrate on the sprint and Olys this year, then you can see where you are at that point. We have newbies who have never done a tri and those that have done many IM. Everyone has different goals, and everyone here is so supportive of your goals, whatever they may be. With injuries, you have to work your way back to what you can comfortably do. I haven't done any biking or swimming since Sept. (my Oly tri), so I've got to get back into the swing of training. 
By the way, last year I did a sprint every month for 3 months (June, July, August) and worked up to an Oly distance at the end on Labor Day. That was perfect for me! I thought about doing another Oly in October, but I decided to end my season there feeling good. I didn't want to get burned out my first season. I also had to save something for this year. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> Think about it that way.

kcwoodhead · Feb 21, 2008

Whohoo!!! Let the training begin! (well, not quite yet). 
You will be fine swimming twice a week. That is all I'm doing right now for my Ironman. I'll bump it up the month or so before the race though.

pete_72 · Feb 21, 2008

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

COcarrie · Feb 22, 2008

Kelli.... awesome news! I'm excited for you and know you will do great. You always have a plan and meet your goals. I find that very motivating! I'm looking forward to hearing about your journey.... <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

Stu373 · Feb 22, 2008

Kelli...Congrats on making the leap to HIM!! 
I did mine last year on 2 swims a week along with 3 each running and riding. The swim was no problem on that amount of training even though it's my weakest event. In the last 6 weeks, I did 1 open water swim a week and that was a big help. 
Good Luck!!

3chilipeppers · Feb 22, 2008

Thanks! I don't think the OW swims will happen. There just aren't too many places to do them here that are safe (without paying a lot). I will be doing a sprint in June at the same venue, though, so that should help some. I do have one option of sort of an open water swim, so I may try that option out. It means swimming in 68 degree water! Burr!!

HIM here I come!

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