Hi all
I'm doing my first full Ironman distance triathlon next summer (Ironman UK in Bolton). Like most first timers, I imagine, my only goal is to finish within the cut off.
How much training should I do? What level is too much and what is too little? Essentially, I'm asking what can I "get away" with (not) doing between now and next July.
I did my one and only half Ironman in Weymouth in September and finished just 25 minutes inside the cut off.
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But being blunt ...
... if you dont want to do the training - you should not have entered the race
However, the reality depends on many factors, not least of which are your current fitness levels, your natural sporting tendencies, and your willingness to suffer.... some people complete IMs on just a handful of hours a week, and some average in the twenties of hours... there is no real right answer.
Saying that, as a guide, if you can complete a century bike ride and then run for a few mins off the bike, and then separately can run for 3 hours at a decent pace, then you are probably ready.... if you can't, then be prepared to hurt like hell, and probably panic for the entire race about making the cut offs
As much as you can without getting injured. If that close to the cut off get some consistent short sessions in now and find a training plan and do it, working on weaknesses.
I finished Outlaw Half with 15 minutes before the cut off and know that I need as much training as possible to get myself in a position to be able to finish a full IM.
Having re-read my original post, I think I worded it badly - so let me rephrase. When training for your first marathon, people always say the first time you cover 26 miles should be the race itself.
I was wondering what the Ironman equivalent might be. 3,000-metre swim? Up to 80 miles on the bike? Running no further than 15 miles?
I'm not trying to cut corners, I just don't want to overdo it to the detriment of the race.
Swim, I do as many full distance swim as possible, including some full distance open water ones
But please, please, please don't just do what you consider "just enough" training, ironman is not easy
Get yourself a training plan, there are enough free ones out there on the internet, ranging from seasoned pro to beginner / just get you round
The earlier you start the easier race day will be.
It was my first tri and I only learnt to swim 12 months before it so my aim was to finish. I worked out what time I needed to be at various points. In the end I was on the bike in under 100 minutes and on the run after about 8h15.
My advice is cycle a lot, as Cougie says you can recover quickly from it, I used SIS Rego a lot too. If you aren’t able to cover the bike distance comfortably, a marathon distance is a hell of a long way to walk.
Exception being the Snowdonia Marathon where I only passed a lil ol lady jogging it after about half way - god know how early she started !
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/training-plans-view.asp?planid=33&memberlevel=1