| Ironman and Half Ironman Triathlon Training
Completing an Ironman triathlon is seen by many athletes as the pinnacle of success in the sport. In fact, finishing an Ironman triathlon is a major achievement in any field of sporting endurance. The coverage of Ironman on the television portrays epic battles between elite athletes as they make every minute count in a full day’s worth of top level, high intensity racing.
| |
• But for everyone taking part in an Ironman, from the first timers, through to age groupers and elite athletes, every Ironman is an epic, with enjoyment and suffering in equal measure, with a large dose of pride in achievement. |
THE DISTANCES
The Ironman triathlon lives up to its name, with grueling distances in each discipline.
→ 2.2 mile open water swim
→ 112 miles on the bicycle
→ run of 26.2 miles.
The half ironman is:
→ 1.1 mile in the water
→ 61 mile bike
→ run of 13.1 miles.
Ironman triathlons, due to their nature, are usually the most logistically complex, and require careful planning. They usually involve one or more detailed briefs for competitors where you will learn valuable information about the race, and any special arrangements for transition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRAINING
A decision to do a half ironman, or the full ironman distance, should not be taken lightly. The time you will need to spend in training is substantial, and will be a significant drain on your resources.
| |
• You should plan to train around 15 to 20 hours per week for the full ironman, and you should be planning at least a year in advance.
|
A half ironman can be achieved with an enhanced version of an Olympic distance level regimen, but a full Ironman requires many hours of training in order to build and maintain the endurance required for the full distance.
| |
• It is recommended that a half ironman should only be undertaken by triathletes with some experience of the sprint and Olympic distances, and that the full distance should be tackled having first experienced a half Ironman, and preferably a marathon also. |
GO FOR IT!
Ironman, or half ironman might seem like an impossibility to many athletes, especially when you are starting out. However, with a good program, time and dedication, almost anything is achievable. Time and dedication are of course crucial, but make sure you channel your efforts to ensure you make progress and meet your training goals. An expert coach, like the coaches at Metasport, can make a huge difference in taking you to the level required to complete your first Ironman. |
