It is not by chance that many athletes try their hand at triathlon but they cannot withstand the excessive exertion imposed by this discipline.Īnd to prepare for three sports at the same time, clearly, one needs time. Training for not just one, but for three sports, forces the body to endure substantial burden and stress. So, it is definitely impressive to be a person, or an athlete, who is skilled in all three of them. Swimming is even more niche: very few can confront water like a true athlete. You could say the same thing about cycling, but this is a sport which requires a certain technique and very specific preparation. Running is as natural as walking and anyone can do it, with the differences in talent and training dividing professionals from amateurs. Let’s analyze these four aspects in detail.
You must endure very strenuous training.You must be sufficiently skilled in three different sports.This discipline is definitely not for everyone, for several reasons: It is not an overstatement to define triathlon as the hardest discipline in the world. From this small group of friends sprung the Hawaii Ironman championship, one of the most prestigious races to date. The suggestion was met with laughter by the group but, soon enough, it generated Triathlon, specifically Ironman, considered today as the most important race. One of them suggested to combine the three races, giving birth to a new, single competition. These friends were discussing which was the hardest race in terms of resistance between the Waikiki rough water swim, a 3.8 km swim, the 112-mile bike race around Oahu, a 180 km bike ride, and the Honolulu Marathon, a 42.195 km run. How and when was Ironman born? In 1977, quite casually, thanks to a bet between a group of friends in Honolulu, Hawaii. Olympic triathlon, on the other hand, is comprised of a 1.5 km swim, a 40 km bicycle ride and a 10 km run. Ironman is defined by the International Triathlon Union as a long-distance triathlon race: a 3.86 km swim, a 180.260 km bicycle ride and a 42.195 km run (as long as a marathon). And, in the world of triathlon, the Ironman race reigns supreme, while Olympic Triathlon has shorter distances, making it more intense… Which one is harder to tackle? Let’s discover the differences between them. It combines three sports which, when taken individually, are already among the most demanding: running, cycling and swimming. Two weeks out from your Ironman, you have done all the hard training blocks, now is the time to fine-tune, get things organized and embrace the taper.Triathlon is probably the most difficult athletic discipline. Related: 15 thoughts when completing an Ironman Be mindful of these workouts, if you run too hard or don’t fuel properly, you can really bury yourself and impact your recovery. For example, after a four-hour ride, aim to run 60-90 minutes off the bike to help you get your pacing and nutrition ready for race day. Long run off the bike: It’s a good idea to do a longer run off the bike.For that reason, volume becomes more beneficial than intensity in getting ready for an Ironman. You need your body to be able to hold up throughout a much longer day. Half versus full: An Ironman is less about speed and more about durability than a 70.3.Being able to test your nutrition in a training day that lasts six to eight hours is key for getting things dialled in for race day. During the session, make a note of what you do and how it felt. Have a proper plan laid out so that you know what you’re going to eat and drink each hour. Nutrition is just as important as the swim/bike/run: You need to use your long brick days as a test for your race specific nutrition plan.For those who will run the 42.2K, capping your long run at around three hours is best.ĭaniel Clarke running at Ironman Mont-Tremblant.
For those who will be planning on a run/walk strategy, building up to four plus hours of run/walk is possible.
Here are six tips from Nigel Gray, head coach of NRG Performance Training and former professional triathlete, on how to move up to the Ironman distance.