Making Time for Ironman Training: Ironman beginners

Making Time for Ironman Training: Ironman beginners

I had a friend who said he wanted to do a sprint relay and needed a cyclist, next thing I knew, my friend found himself participating in his first triathlon.

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After doing two solo triathlons on his own, and then watching his former teammates tackle Ironman Miami and Ironman Florida, my buddy signed up for Ironman Florida 2013—only his third race.

Buddy’s Biggest challenge: Like many triathletes, my friend Chris has a hard time finding enough time to train in addition to spending time with his family and work. He’s already married with kids and now he’s spending 15 to 20 hours a week training for an Ironman ON TOP OF working more than 45 hours a week. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to his family.

Chris is also working on fitness issues, after having major surgery on his hip in 2009. Doctors says there is still a decent amount of atrophy in his muscles, and every time he goes four-plus hours on the bike, his legs cramp to the point of failure.

 

Solution: Chris’ three challenges are common to the majority of amateurs who dream of doing Ironman: time management, physical health and nutrition. But there is hope. And the good news is that he has a year to prepare for his race in Florida.

(If you enjoy this article, please visit www.vivathlete.com and subscribe to our newsletter. It’s free and it’ll help you become a stronger athlete and triathlete).

He will need the full year to focus on three things: First, building his core strength and basic muscular strength back up. And with an emphasis on good technique to prevent future injuries. Second, building his endurance so that he can complete the longest race in triathlon, an Ironman. And third, building his triathlon-specific skills and knowledge of open-water swimming, transitions, nutrition and equipment.

 

Chris’ knowledge of triathlon and working out his nutrition and hydration will come with experience and completing one to two half-iron distances next season. As for family matters, Chris says that while he will need a lot of wholehearted support from his wife and children, he can also include them in his journey when possible: having them do kids races at events and by being a role model of healthy living.

(If you enjoy this article, please visit www.vivathlete.com and subscribe to our newsletter. It’s free and it’ll help you become a stronger athlete and triathlete).

Chris also has a plan tailored for his family vacations, celebrations and commitments. And these will help him maintain his work/family/sport balance. With a comprehensive training program that periodizes his year and makes efficient use of his time, Chris can definitely be successful at Ironman Florida and still have energy for his family and job.

I had a friend who said he wanted to do a sprint relay and needed a cyclist, next thing I knew, my friend found himself participating in his first triathlon.

After doing two solo triathlons on his own, and then watching his former teammates tackle Ironman Miami and Ironman Florida, my buddy signed up for Ironman Florida 2013—only his third race.

Buddy’s Biggest challenge: Like many triathletes, my friend Chris has a hard time finding enough time to train in addition to spending time with his family and work. He’s already married with kids and now he’s spending 15 to 20 hours a week training for an Ironman ON TOP OF working more than 45 hours a week. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to his family.

Chris is also working on fitness issues, after having major surgery on his hip in 2009. Doctors says there is still a decent amount of atrophy in his muscles, and every time he goes four-plus hours on the bike, his legs cramp to the point of failure.

Solution: Chris’ three challenges are common to the majority of amateurs who dream of doing Ironman: time management, physical health and nutrition. But there is hope. And the good news is that he has a year to prepare for his race in Florida.

He will need the full year to focus on three things: First, building his core strength and basic muscular strength back up. And with an emphasis on good technique to prevent future injuries. Second, building his endurance so that he can complete the longest race in triathlon, an Ironman. And third, building his triathlon-specific skills and knowledge of open-water swimming, transitions, nutrition and equipment.

(If you enjoy this article, please visit www.vivathlete.com and subscribe to our newsletter. It’s free and it’ll help you become a stronger athlete and triathlete).

Chris’ knowledge of triathlon and working out his nutrition and hydration will come with experience and completing one to two half-iron distances next season. As for family matters, Chris says that while he will need a lot of wholehearted support from his wife and children, he can also include them in his journey when possible: having them do kids races at events and by being a role model of healthy living.

Chris also has a plan tailored for his family vacations, celebrations and commitments. And these will help him maintain his work/family/sport balance. With a comprehensive training program that periodizes his year and makes efficient use of his time, Chris can definitely be successful at Ironman Florida and still have energy for his family and job.

(If you enjoy this article, please visit www.vivathlete.com and subscribe to our newsletter. It’s free and it’ll help you become a stronger athlete and triathlete).