Monday, May 18, 2009

The formula...

Your Half Ironman Time X 2 + 1 hour = Your Ironman Time


Oh no...

This isn't good. I was standing at the wrap up party for our last season of Team in Training discussing the Ironman with an athlete. She told me this formula and my heart sank. If you go by this formula, my hopes of finishing the Ironman in 17 hours are lost. By this formula, I will be 40 minutes late to the finish line.

Meanwhile, my goal was to finish Augusta in 8 1/2 hours. Looks like I need to finish in 8 hours to even come close to the 17 hour mark.

I have 172 days to get strong and fast enough to make the cut off. I need to get rid of 40 minutes. Is this possible or am I setting myself up for the biggest humiliation of my life??

8 comments:

Lani said...

This is one formula (like the Max HRM formula) it might be accurate, it might not be. You need to not focus on what you can do and let what happens happen.

Calyx Meredith said...

It's a good formula to know because it can help you clarify your goal - but it is NOT a death sentence for your dream!! Work on your transitions (I hear those are "easy" minutes to save for yourself) and your nutrition so that you can smoothly and strongly keep moving forward the whole time. Keep believing in yourself!

TriRed said...

The formula is helpful but not mandatory. I went below that at IMFL by almost an hour last year. Bottom line though--if you just get out there and try your hardest, you should never be and will never be humiliated. Rather, I think you will be far braver and more inspiring by just toeing the line and seeing what you can do, despite any odds.

Tri Mommy said...

I second TriRed's comment!!

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

"There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that lost by not trying"
Francis Bacon

Coach Bill said...

MD - do me a favor and take that formula and tear it up - that is nothing but a guidline that is right for some and not right for others. You need to work on your training and keep doing what you are doing - race day it will all take care of itself. 17 hours is your goal - consistent training is a better indication of success than race results - you do not control outside influences in races! Hang in there.

Kendra said...

Melissa, I'm with you on tossing out that formula. At the same time, I'm also working on improving speed. We have 171 days now and that is a lot of time. Think of it this way - don't you feel like looking backwards in time, you could've done a lot in the last 171 days?

RBR said...

Sing it sister. I have been asking myself that question a lot lately.

Only, I have 28 days left and am almost an hour over the limit with that formula. So I ma WAY more screwed than you. You can make this happen.

Let's hope that f---er is wrong.

sigh