IMUK 2011 - Triathlon - Runner's World

M.r Zuvai

pirate

25/08/2010 at 13:49

Hi Everyone! I've been watching the Outlaw thread with interest and wondered is anone on here doing IMUK 2011? The general consensus is that Outlaw is the better event (certainly cheaper!) but for some reason im drawn to the IM event (maybe it's a newbie thing - but im facinated!) So I've preregistered for IMUK2011 and wondered if there was anyone here that wanted to share training tips/ advise along the long training plan to the race itself! After a couple sprints and aquathons i completed my first olympic distance tri last weekend and absolutely loved it - had the time of my life! Broadly targetted 3hrs and come in 2:42, which included a 43m 10K, which i was delighted with. Been facinated with IM for ages and now i really have it in my teeth that it's what i want to do. I have completeed a few marathons in average time(3.50) but this will be a whole new challenge I dont yet have a training plan - it's a full 12 months away, but currently train 8 - 10 hrs a week, I'm very fortunate with the sea on my front door - i can swim OW twice a week! Good workout too with the tide/ currents! Looking forward to sharing in everybody's experiences in the pain and joy in the comming months!

fat buddha

25/08/2010 at 13:57

why not join the forum big trip to IM Regensburg next year? there will be loads (40+ at least) from the forum competing there - and you'll get a much better intro than from the UK event which is generally reckoned to be amongst one of the tougher courses but the worst organisation and experience of all the European IM.

I look forward to reading about your winter sea training though...

I have the sea close to me but it only gets me in between late April and October....

Gyraffe

pirate

25/08/2010 at 14:00

FB don't be soft - loads of folks swim in the sea all year round. HTFU.

Mr Z - welcome to our mad world.

M.r Zuvai

pirate

25/08/2010 at 14:02

Sorry about the wall of text!

i cant get the hang of paragraphs on this forum - whenever i hit enter the cursur jumps above the current text - not below! The Solent stays warm(ish) till mid November, will brave it out as long as we can then may have to retreat indoors -booo!

M..TRIumphant pirate

pirate

25/08/2010 at 14:07

Mr Z, enjoy the ride. I did IM UK this year as my first step up to the big one, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the debate as to whether do a European one, or stick with UK, and UK won. Cost and logistics were my main factor, and I still have the option to do another bigger event next time. As to 2011, undecided, but I have pre-registered. I did say I would do it again in 2012, but 2011, watch this space.

M.r Zuvai

pirate

25/08/2010 at 16:21

Thanks for the welcome - always amazing at how friendly these boards are!

What's the consensus on a good level of off season training to maintain? 6 hrs? Got the cross country season approaching which will be a fun way to maintain competitiveness

fat buddha

25/08/2010 at 16:39

I don't think there is a consensus on time off or on season - some people do loads; others do little but still get around in some good times.

the key for off season is to build the base and if you have any weak areas such as swimming, focus on improving these - this might be technique, power, stamina etc - and the same goes for bike and run. perhaps throw some races in as well for the fun and training element. get used to say 3/4 hr bikes rides. don't worry too much about speed in the base training, just get used to the specifics

if you build up the bases now, then come the new year you can the focus on a plan to build up the distances to race level and this will increase the hours.

cougie

pirate

25/08/2010 at 16:54

+1 on going abroad for your IM experience. They really know how to do them over there. Regensburg will be awesome.

As for keeping your fitness going - I keep running and cycling - just not the swimming. Er even when I'm training I dont really do much swimming...

Cross Country will be great for you.

Doozer.

pirate

25/08/2010 at 17:28

Another +1 for going abroad, went to Austria in 2007 for my first with the Pirates, racing abroad is completely different - much better support and organisation

I am planning on keeping swimming 4-5 times a week during the winter, OW will stop for me in a couple of weeks to return to proper training in the pool. It is easy to keep ticking over up until Xmas, then you might want to start adding some structure for your summer IM.

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

25/08/2010 at 19:13

I'm glad that I have finally done an IM branded event, Haven't been to a European event, but after IMUK and then watching the Outlaw, if I was ever tempted it would have to be the Outlaw

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

25/08/2010 at 20:16

+ 1 for abroad
+ 1 for Outlaw
- 10 for IMUK

AndyB99

pirate

25/08/2010 at 21:57

wow...just a couple of weeks has passed and the IMUK thread raised its new head (along with Tri's new M. name....like it)
I'm torn between outlaw and IMUK...mr Z, for your sake as your new....I missed out on a finish at IMUK by about 14 miles or so.
I think it tends to get a bit of bad press compared to the european ones but in fact its superb....i felt it was well done...we were well looked after and it was a great event. i went to the outlaw course this weekend for the club champs and i wouldnt want to finish a long long day round that lake 4 times...that said the bike course if faster so might buy me more time.
For me though..i think i have unfinished business with IMUK.

Cant believe we're at it again and its a year away...oh well..in for a penny

sweetfeet... pirate

pirate

25/08/2010 at 22:47

Does anyone know the actual date for IMUK 2011 yet? Do we expect it to be around the same time of year as 2010 i.e. August. And is it still in Bolton?

slimshady

26/08/2010 at 10:05

Dave- did i read above that you're tempted to do the Outlaw? Great stuff- what time shall we meet on the 24th July?

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

26/08/2010 at 10:08

I said if I was tempted....

Promised TLS no more IM's.. I'll be taking photos tho

M.r Zuvai

pirate

26/08/2010 at 10:20

Andy - wow, to miss by 14 mintues - must have been soul destroying! You certainly have my admiration for even contempating it again!

Sweetfeet - i'd just made the massive assumption that it would be in the same place at the same time of year, although they have opened prereg and you'd hope that they would let you know id there was change of venue ect. They have opened entry for 70.3 to be held at Bolton - so i'd assume the IM would be at the same place

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

26/08/2010 at 10:38

Think you will find 70.3 UK is still at Wimbleball, not Bolton

Wimbleball Lake Country Park,
near Dulverton,
Somerset,
TA22 9NU

Edited: 26/08/2010 at 10:39

M.r Zuvai

pirate

26/08/2010 at 10:59

I really need to stop making assumtions

cougie

pirate

26/08/2010 at 11:13

I was chatting to some triathletes on the way back from IMDE this year - they'd done a few euro IM races and did IMUK last year. They really didnt rate it and were sticking to the European races in future.

sweetfeet... pirate

pirate

26/08/2010 at 13:15

They are probably right, but they have done it so can tick it off. Having started doing this sport, and being from the UK, it just feels right somehow to do the event in your own country if you can. I plan to do it in 2011 for this reason. Longer term I want to add to my list of Euro IMs...