Just looking at the distances required to complete an Ironman is enough to turn the vast majority of people off attempting one. However, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can pursue as a human.

An Ironman distance race is an extremely daunting task for almost everybody. There’s a considerable time commitment required for training for these events. You need to consider how you will fit 9 to 15+ hours of training into your week. For most people it means sacrificing certain luxuries we are accustomed to. 

If you have the enthusiasm, motivation and desire to finish an Ironman, you will find the time. There’s something special about crossing the line after completing an Ironman that can’t quite be put into words. You have to experience it yourself.   

If you are ready to commit to an Ironman,  you should consult with a coach. Why? 

Early morning pool sessions, evening runs, weekend warrior bike trips and lunchtime strength sessions will all be part of your weekly schedule for many months. There are weeks for increasing your workload and weeks for recovery. You need to know each week when to have hard sessions and when to have easy sessions. You need to know how much rest is needed so you can recover for the next big session. You will need raceday preparation which will require selecting appropriate races in the build up to your main event. You need to know when to peak for your race so all of your training comes to fruition at the right time. You will need a coach to talk you through your feelings of fatigue, frustration and doubt which can affect all athletes.

There’s a lot more to coaching than just training programs. I like to take a collaborative approach with my clients when planning for events and coaching them to become the best athlete they can be. 

Become an Ironman, today!

RULES

Don’t let anyone, besides an official race marshall,  pass you anything to eat or drink during your Ironman. This could result in a DQ (disqualified) notification at the end of your race. 

I feel this one should be noted as it would be a traumatic finish for anyone unaware of the fact.

Some examples of Testing for Running, Biking and Swimming

REQUIREMENTS

This is highly debatable. Safety measures would probably recommend that you have achieved Half Ironman status before attempting an Ironman. It depends on the person in my opinion.

From a personal standpoint, I attempted my first triathlon in August 2013, fell in love with the idea of doing an Ironman and set about training for an Ironman the following year.

Your own fitness levels and training history will dictate how quickly you become an Ironman.