I’m going to jump in with a QOTD...
QOTD: Have you ever done a triathlon? (I know some of you have.) If so, what distance? If not, why not? And what I really want to know... how much more time on top of regular marathon training would it take for an Ironman distance??
ATTQOTD: I’ve never done one, but have considered it a few times. The extra time, and my not being a great swimmer keep holding me back. But, it was announced yesterday that Tulsa would be a host venue for the next three years. Since it is somewhat close to me, it is making me think a little more about trying a tri. Someone help me out! How much more time do I need to invest into training!
As of this posting, I've done six sprints, two Olys and two 70.3 relays on the swim leg (it could be seven sprints if I decide to same-day register for one tomorrow).
I'm currently in Peak for my A-Race of the year (an Oly I've done twice before, but am shooting for it to be a PR/fitness test) and then I will work into a Base Phase program that incorporates the races I have before my intended 2020 70.3 (YES, IT'S HAPPENING NOBODY TELL
@FFigawi).
For me, I prefer the variation that the training provides. I actually do more swim workouts than my coach advises, but mostly it's because I love how I feel after a swim workout - like, all stretched out and loose like after a good yoga session.
I find that the cycling portion is easier for me if the weather is bad than the running. I have a trainer at home and can just pop the bike on there and get my ride on, whereas it's either run in the rain/cold/don't want to go outside weather or drive to the gym and do it on a treadmill.
I looked back at my Garmin data and my training time has definitely upped by 3-6 hours a week when I was in tri training versus marathon/Dopey training, but that's also because I have to go to the gym to swim and I usually work in a weight grouping or two to make the drive worth the while.
But more than that, you need to make sure that your friends and family are on-board with the time commitment it takes to train for some of this stuff - and if you're shooting for a full IM, that means 5-6 hour sessions on the bike weekly in Build/Peak. Your life WILL change. My training partner did a full IM last year, and he had to bring his bike trainer with him on weekend trips - even camping - because he had to get the miles in. Things like that.
You also need to factor in the expense of a coach. A REAL coach, not somebody on the internet that somebody might say is good. Someone you can see, who you can ride with occasionally and in your case, probably someone that can coach you on swimming. Someone that can get you linked up with group rides and group swims to get you used to what a cluster it is to be swimming and riding a bike in a mass of people. Joining a tri club will also help - and it will be a good chance to see if this kind of endurance event is a good fit for you!