Tough to answer, man.<br><br>
First off, I think it's an offer too good to pass up. Your mate will only have one of these most memorable days; it would be a shame to miss out. On the other hand, I wonder if you could contribute another way.<br><br>
Second, there is no question that you will be in a deep state of fatigue. A week out you will have started feeling better, but first attempt to go hard at anything requiring exerted energy and you'll feel the lingering effects of the IM right away. That there is no question. If you do the race, there will be a time early on where you'll know that your stamina isn't there because of the race. No doubt. But that doesn't mean you can't get through it and even have a boat load of fun. I would still do it, but how important is it to you to perform to your ability? If it is important, then you may want to think about trying to help out in another way. Again, you will start feeling better by that weekend, but you will still be in that deep state of fatigue.<br><br>
Here's what happened to me after my first (and second) Ironman events:<br><br>
The day after I was stiff and sore and hobbling with achy and very tired muscles, but my spirits kept me walking all over the place and participating in all things Ironman. But there were times when I'd drag then spring right back up. And I was constantly hungry and eating something.<br><br>
The second day it grew worse. The body was much more stiff and the muscles very tired, and I was noticeably dragging more. But with some walking around, you can get yourself to be highly functional. Just be sure to hydrate, because your body will be still burning at a high level. Your appetite will be good too. Have a beer and swap a few war stories.<br><br>
The third day it gets noticeably better. The body still takes a while to get moving after it has been still for too long, but it does get moving, and your energy will be higher. But there will come a point where you are dragging ass by, say, 3 pm. You'll get a spring and then drop back again by 7 pm or 8 pm. Have another beer in celebration of your accomplishment. That will take you to 9 pm.<br><br>
By the fourth day, you start feeling much better. You appetite might still be out of control. Or it may not be. But your body is really starting to feel better. But you will no doubt feel the hurt if you try to push yourself in anyway. Even an easy 5 mile run, if you so choose to go that route, will be okay for the first 4 miles... that last mile will be hard. And you'll yawn for an hour after your done. Walk around a lot. It'll loosen everything.<br><br>
The next few days are much of the same. You will start to feel normal energy levels return and be able to stay awake to near your normal hour, but start pushing yourself -- and I don't even mean push yourself as in a hard speed work session, I mean just a "regular, easy run" (or bike).<br><br>
And I bet the same will happen if you do this event.
