16 weeks is plenty of time to train for an ironman for an ex-collegiate swimmer. If you are in good shape now, and really have been riding 2/3 times a week for some time, you will be able to build to an IM in 16 weeks. Don’t let others worry you. I would start the base plan and do the first couple weeks of the build before moving into a taper. I would probably replace the weekend long ride with an outdoor long ride building to race distance. Getting a couple 112 mile rides in before race day will go a long way in building confidence and practicing your pacing/nutrition strategy.
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