how long would it take to train for an ironman

kala85

How long would it take to train for a full ironman and how many hours a week would it take ?

Izoard

What is your goal? Just finish (within 15-17hrs depending on cut off) or something more aggressive?
As a rough guide, Don Fink's general training programs vary from 8hr-15hr average per week, depending on what you want to achieve.

Gringo78

Izoard wrote: »

What is your goal? Just finish (within 15-17hrs depending on cut off) or something more aggressive?
As a rough guide, Don Fink's general training programs vary from 8hr-15hr average per week, depending on what you want to achieve.

Also depends on whats your background (i.e other tris done, HIM done? swimmiing capability? present training base?)

Have you done a long distance cycle or marathon before?

griffin100

These type of posts normally open a can of worms.........

As said above it depends on your aims and your background. Can you swim already? How fit are you now? Do you have a good base?

This year I averaged around 10hrs training per week for most of the year and did an IM comfortably last weekend in 13hrs. I was coming off a decent enough base though having done more training and another IM last year.

If you look at the ART challenge thread you'll see how much training some of the more serious guys put in. You should also have a look at JB's and MCOS's training logs.

Anyone can complete an IM, but you do have to put in some training and it does require some commitment / dedication.

claxxix

Hello all,

Id like to complete an ironman as a goal in 2012 (preferably in the first half of the year). I’ve done 6 or 7 marathons and my most recent time was 3.42. I am not a competitive person (except internally) or even a runner per se. My only goal is simply to complete a full iron man triathlon in the next 6 months or so. I have no real time goals….just to do my best. I took part in the Beast of Ballyhoura adventure race this year and found it tough but rewarding. As I said, my only goal is to finish an ironman as best I can. Nothing more. My swimming ability is pretty weak…..at present I would be doing very well to struggle past 500m in the pool.

I would be delighted to hear from people who could give me advice with regard to potential ironman races, training goals, training techniques / schedules, race day advice etc. Please excuse my blissful ignorance and refrain from outright indignation or incredulity at my request. I am perhaps being very ambitious but I guess it’s no harm in dreaming big.

Yours sincerely,
claxxix

tunney

kala85 wrote: »

How long would it take to train for a full ironman and how many hours a week would it take ?

Couple of weeks.

tunney

griffin100 wrote: »

These type of posts normally open a can of worms.........

As said above it depends on your aims and your background. Can you swim already? How fit are you now? Do you have a good base?

This year I averaged around 10hrs training per week for most of the year and did an IM comfortably last weekend in 13hrs. I was coming off a decent enough base though having done more training and another IM last year.

If you look at the ART challenge thread you'll see how much training some of the more serious guys put in. You should also have a look at JB's and MCOS's training logs.

Anyone can complete an IM, but you do have to put in some training and it does require some commitment / dedication.

With the greatest of respect to MCOS that's not a blog I'd hold up as "this is how you do it".

Its a serious commitment in terms of time, energy and money.

One not to be undertaken lightly and without discussion with OHs.

If you are married with kids then its a family sacrafice and not just yours so that needs to be considered.

Ideally an IM has a 3-5 year lead in. So there are two cases - (1) you heard about IM Galway and want to do one, (2) you're an experienced triathlete and want to do one.

In case (2) well its the same as a quality HIM off season but more running. Traditionally more focus on volume. Weekly long swim now over 4km, long run over two hours, and long bike about 4 hours minimum. Average hours 12 per week, peaking at 20+.

In case (1) firstly an IM is twice as long as the Galway event. If you are new to the sport and *can* swim. Then its going to be a case of just get around and just survive. Do as much as you can absorb training wise and hope and pray it will be enough (it won't).

I'd recommend a season of sprints/olys, then a season of sprint/olys/HIMs and then an IM season.

shotgunmcos

Hi claxxix,

The Ironman is a long day out. Since you have half dozen marathons done you know what its like to be on your feet for 4 hours.

The simplest way I could but an approach to IM is to break it down further to its 3 elements and aim to hit a benchmark in each.

Swim: aim for a 90 minute straight easy swim
Bike: aim for a 6 hour nice easy cycle. Getting in with a group for cycling is great but on the day you will face the 180km on your own so you may as well get used to long solo cycles.
Run: max it at 2 hours.

For the winter your main 2 goals, in my opinion, would simply to build your swimmming fitness and spend lots of time on the saddle!

You can break the swim goal down further for example. Mini goals like
30 min straight swim by end of October
40 min by end of Nov...
... 90 min by end of May!

A stable diet of 3 swims a week (1 technique, 1 sets of work, 1 long) will get you there. You could makke a rule not to let 3 days go by without a swim session

Same for the Bike. Aim for the 6 hour one by end of may and build slowly and progressively towards that, one step at a time.

Swimming consistency and making a priority of the long bike every week will get yout there

Another general rule is to space out your long sessions. I'd rarely plan to have my key sessions of the week back to back and I'd recommend taking one full rest day each week.

Best of luck and feel free to pepper the likes of myself, griffin100, interested, jackyback etc with questions.

Oryx has set up a rookie IM log in the logs section too whcih may be a good one for you to follow.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

tunney wrote: »

I'd recommend a season of sprints/olys, then a season of sprint/olys/HIMs and then an IM season.

+1 on this advice. Even though i went straight in and done an IM in my first year if i was to start out again i would build into an IM distance race doing sprints/olys/him's over 2/3 years.

EC1000

tunney wrote: »

I'd recommend a season of sprints/olys, then a season of sprint/olys/HIMs and then an IM season.

+2.

This year was my 2nd full season racing sprints and olys and I dipped my toe in longer tri by doing "Ironman " Galway last week. I was half thinking of going long next year but realise now that I am not in any way ready yet and have decided to go with propably three HIM's next year as I want to feel that I have pushed myself as hard as possible at this distance before going longer. This, combined with the fact that I need to become a better cyclist... two more winters of focused training will hopefully do the trick.

But, then again, if just completeing is your aim then it completely depends on your level of fitness... most fair weather triathletes could get around inside the cut off with no specific training IMO.... (but then again I wouldn't know I guess!)

groovyg

claxxix wrote: »

My only goal is simply to complete a full iron man triathlon in the next 6 months or so. I have no real time goals….just to do my best. I took part in the Beast of Ballyhoura adventure race this year and found it tough but rewarding. As I said, my only goal is to finish an ironman as best I can. claxxix

Well if you did the Beast of Ballyhoura you will probably find the IM a doddle in comparison especially the bike and run. I think your biggest problem at this stage is finding an IM to do that isn't sold out. A lot of the big branded IMs sell out pretty quickly.

Iron Enthusiast

Here's a bit of inspiration: http://newtotri.com/2011/03/from-a-smoker-to-an-ironman/

It's about a former smoker with 2 kids who trained for his first Ironman and complteed it successfully (i think in just over a year total?). Anyway, might be an interesting read!:pac:

claxxix

Thanks all for the great feedback especially shotgunmcos who provides excellent advise. As i said im totally ignorant of the whole iron man scene so im not sure where to even begin in terms of finding an IM race. Full IM dont seem to be run in Ireland or am i mistaken? Is it a case that anyone can enter or is their some type of qualifying criteria / lottery system? If any of ye know of IM events that are taking place in Ireland (or the UK) id love to hear about them. As i said, id love just to do one but long distance travelling and the accruing expense of this are unwanted barriers.

Thanks guys,
claxxix

catweazle

claxxix wrote: »

Full IM dont seem to be run in Ireland or am i mistaken? If any of ye know of IM events that are taking place in Ireland (or the UK) id love to hear about them. As i said, id love just to do one but long distance travelling and the accruing expense of this are unwanted barriers.

Thanks guys,
claxxix

http://www.hardman.ie/

tunney

claxxix wrote: »

Thanks all for the great feedback especially shotgunmcos who provides excellent advise. As i said im totally ignorant of the whole iron man scene so im not sure where to even begin in terms of finding an IM race. Full IM dont seem to be run in Ireland or am i mistaken? Is it a case that anyone can enter or is their some type of qualifying criteria / lottery system? If any of ye know of IM events that are taking place in Ireland (or the UK) id love to hear about them. As i said, id love just to do one but long distance travelling and the accruing expense of this are unwanted barriers.

Thanks guys,
claxxix

IM UK (expensive, questionable organisation I believe but open to correction)
IM Wales(expensive but good)
Challenge Henley (cheaper and Challenge races are the dogs)

As was said Hardman but that does have the Ironman experience about it I believe.

claxxix

Thanks catweazle and Tunney. I reckon the hardman race is exactly what im looking for

griffin100

It depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a high profile large number event or a smaller event. Do you want an IM branded event? Do you want to travel abroad?

I did Hardman this year and IMUK last year and they are completely different experiences.

IMUK had over 1,000 entrants and had quite a decent level of support on the course. Its supposed to have improved this year as new management is in place and the newer run route is more spectator friendly (if a little short;). You were never alone on the course and always had someone close by on the bike and run. That said from what I understand its not a patch on the big eurpoean IM races but then again they are all sold out apart from maybe France (which is a toughie).

Hardman this year had 24 entrants. Once out of T1 you didn't see too many of the other competitors on the single loop bike course but as the run was multiple loops you did see them then. I expect it'll have bigger numbers next year.

IM races are also silly money to enter. IMUK cost me approx. €1k to enter and travel to. Hardman cost me €150 and a tank full of diesel.

Like I said it all depends on what you want................

BennyMul

Hi Griffin
Was looking at IMUK myself for next year (until I heard 1K) may I ask where the expense went (apart from the registration fee)
May have to reconsider


thanks

griffin100

Hi Griffin
Was looking at IMUK myself for next year (until I heard 1K) may I ask where the expense went (apart from the registration fee)
May have to reconsider


thanks

Approx. €330 entry fee / €220 car ferry / €350 hotel - 4 nights x 2 people

2012 entry is £375stg

JB did it this year so he might have a different costing.

BennyMul

many thanks,
Not the cheapest past time,

claxxix

griffin100 wrote: »

Hardman this year had 24 entrants. Once out of T1 you didn't see too many of the other competitors on the single loop bike course but as the run was multiple loops you did see them then. I expect it'll have bigger numbers next year.

IM races are also silly money to enter. IMUK cost me approx. €1k to enter and travel to. Hardman cost me €150 and a tank full of diesel.

Like I said it all depends on what you want................

Christ, only 24 people! Thats a small race. That said, im not bothered about numbers of people. The cheap cost and the lovely location within one hours drive from cork is all i need to know. Im sold. Hardman here i come :-)

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Very unlikely I would do UK again, for the same price I could probably race over in Europe somewhere nicer than Bolton

claxxix

Hi lads,

Thanks to ye all for the excellent advise and information. I was just about to sign up for the Hardman when i realised that headphones are not allowed. As i said before i am totally ignorant of triathalon / IM races but this came as a big surprise. I cant really enjoy a race without music unless im in a group situation like the Beast of Ballyhoura adventure race which i did this year. All the other 7 or 8 marathons ive done have allowed me to use a mp3 player. I love music and it gives me a great lift. I cant see myself doing an IM without my tunes pumping. Is there any solution? e.g. Other IM races that allow headphones? If it was just a case of incurring a penalty for using headphones i would happily incur it. My finishing time is not a concern to me, rather taking part.

Any suggestions, ideas, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
claxxix.

ps: Happy new year to ye all.

tunney

claxxix wrote: »

Hi lads,

Thanks to ye all for the excellent advise and information. I was just about to sign up for the Hardman when i realised that headphones are not allowed. As i said before i am totally ignorant of triathalon / IM races but this came as a big surprise. I cant really enjoy a race without music unless im in a group situation like the Beast of Ballyhoura adventure race which i did this year. All the other 7 or 8 marathons ive done have allowed me to use a mp3 player. I love music and it gives me a great lift. I cant see myself doing an IM without my tunes pumping. Is there any solution? e.g. Other IM races that allow headphones? If it was just a case of incurring a penalty for using headphones i would happily incur it. My finishing time is not a concern to me, rather taking part.

Any suggestions, ideas, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
claxxix.

ps: Happy new year to ye all.

You would be a safety risk to other competitors and would, and should, be removed from the race. Sorry. No two ways about it.

Oryx

A lot of road races don't allow them either. Usually its a precaution on open roads, so you can hear traffic. You could email the organisers see what they say. Otherwise you have two solutions. Use a small speaker or preferably train without music so you get used to it. Look on it as just one more adaptation you got to make.

griffin100

Hardman is (or at least was) a TI sanctioned race so no headphones allowed; the organisers have no say in this. At the briefing for last years race somebody from a relay team actually asked what would happen when he wore headphones on the run, he knew he would be DQ'd but didn't seem to care as long as he could finish the run. There's plenty to keep your mind occupied on the IM run, not least the conversation your legs and brain will be having.

I don't know any tri that allows headphones and most marathons seem to be against them. I did Conn a few years ago and I remember colliding with another runner as I moved across the road to get out of the way of an ambulance, he was wearing headphones and hadn't heard it coming so had kept his line whilst all around him moved in.

I used to run with music all of the time until a year ago when I stopped. It takes a while to get used to it but I don't miss it now and would rather run without it. If you get bored running wait until you're doing 3,000m plus swims in the pool, not that's monotonous