My first Ironman in one week

[Bigolmuley]

So I have my first Ironman up in Coeur D'Alene in one week.
I am telling you I am in the best shape of my life, for a triathlon. But I am in no way ready to hump a pack of meat out of the back country. Now I can hike and go forever, but I don't think I could carry much weight.
This has been a bucket list thing for me and will be an unbelievable experience, but it just might be my one and only.
If I put into scouting and training for hunting as much as I did for this Ironman, I can't even imagine.
I guess we will see how this fall turns out for me. I am sure I will be fine, but I feel weak as far as hunting shape goes.

Anyone done An Ironman? Am I thinking wrong here? Or will I struggle humping it out of a deep hole this fall?

Good luck to everyone In their efforts getting ready!

 

[RockBridge]

I've coached endurance athletes, including Ironman triathletes and Kona qualifiers full time for many years now. You won't be too horribly out of shape hunting and hauling but the recovery time from your race will set you back a bit. Give yourself a couple weeks off and then get in the field scouting, and hiking with some weight and you'll be ok. What you'll take away from your Ironman and into your hunting is that you can turn everything into a game of willpower.

My $.02 of advice for your Ironman...go out WAY slower on the run than you think you should. Everyone hits the pavement flying after T2 rather than ramping up slowly at a rate that gives them some fudge room once the reality of the distance sets in.

 

[Scottiem]

Good luck!

 

[sodaksooner]

Good luck. Would like to do one at some point.

 

[Bigolmuley]

Appreciate it. I have trained for Marathons and half Ironmans, just never so much as for this race. Feeling good. I really feel like I want to do more and more of these, but for now just the one. Hunting is to big a deal for me.
No Kona qualifier for me, but hopefully top Third of age group is for sure doable. I say that and may be align in the dark at 17 hours hope not.
I have been told to go out slow by everyone who has done them. I for sure willmdomit.

Thanks

 

[Jlbmlb4]

You will have a blast. It should be on everyone's bucketlist. You will have plenty of time to recover by September. I did IM louisville one year and went elk hunting 2 weeks later and I felt fatigued the entire hunt. The year before that I went elk hunting near 3rd week of Sept then did ironman Arizona 1st week of Nov. I felt awesome hunting and had my best IM time that year. I had to give it up last year since my kids are so busy playing sports. I would do 1 or 2 a year if I could and may once the kids our out of the house. They are my priority. Training and preparing for elk season every year I enough to keep me healthy and motivated for now. To me elk hunting is the perfect hobby. Hunting, backpacking, motivation to train, archery and the mountains...what isn't to like! Good luck and let me know how you do. I you have any questions I might be able to help you. Slowtwitch.com is a decent triathlon/endurance sport forum that you might like.

 

[Bigolmuley]

I check out slowtwitch all the time. Not a lot of hunting related answers there. I would love to do ironman AZ. But nov is out of the question. There is no way to keep up with the training with all my hunts in the fall. I hunt all I can, plus full time guide as well. I run during lunch if we do go back to camp, but no way I could swim. Maybe put my bike in a trainer in the tents? Haha.
Just got to CDA. So nice here. Race day looking great. 70 partly cloudy, Hardley any wind. Water is 62. Couldn't be any better.
I hear you on the family thing. I feel bad on the neglecting I have been doing to my family.
Thanks and yes I do believe I will have a blast. Looking forward to it. A bit nervous.

 

[PA 5-0]

Such a great accomplishment Brother. The best of luck to ya. That's been on my bucket list for years and years. Been obsessed with KONA since the Allen and Pig days. But 4 kids playing 2 sports a season EACH is a road block I cannot get thru. I struggle just to train enough on the bike to stay competitive. I'm gonna give up some sleep and do a sprint TRI this Spring and see where that goes. Maybe a multi person TRI???? My daughter swims like a dolphin and my son can run for days!!

Again, good luck and kill it!!!

 

[lchavez]

Man, i envy your drive. I am in the strawman category lol.

 

[Bigolmuley]

Well I got it done. One of the toughest things I have ever done. Had a huge windstorm blow in. Big waves for the swim and 10-30 mph headwinds on the bike. Up and down so many hills I can't even remember them all. Then a marathon to boot. All in all a great experience. If anyone has thought of trying one you should do it. It's definitely pretty cool.
Finished where I thought I would. 12:53 wind and an unfortunate potty break (good thing I have pooped in the woods before) definitely cost me some time. But I still went under 13 which was the goal.
My legs are shot, pushed to hard on the bike trying to make up time for the wind. The run was tough. I tried to go out slow, but didn't. Even after all the advice. But it all worked out.
Now it's time to scout, hope these legs will be fine!

 

[RockBridge]

Congratulations!

 

[PA 5-0]

That's a serious accomplishment Brother. You have my envy. Congrats!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bighub1]

Congrats what an achievement. Select company there.

 

[InDeep]

Congrats man! That's one hell of a accomplishment!!

 

[Vandal 44]

I went to watch that Ironman, very impressive. I watched a 68 year old woman finish that swim just in time to continue on, she finished in 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Bigomuley that is an impressive congrats

If my Dr. clears me I will be doing the CDA Ironman next year June 28, 2014

 

[dangerousD]

Congrats! What an amazing accomplishment! Hats off to you!

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I was in town and watched the whole race. The wind did not make things easy for the swim or bike. Congrats on a huge accomplishment!

 

[Jason Snyder]

Wow, congratulations to you. We watched it a couple of years ago when a friend of ours was running it. It is an amazing feat.

 

[Bigolmuley]

Thanks you guys.

Vandal, get it done!

 

[les welch]

Awesome, great job!