Real Ironman training time
Look balanced...easy...? Hard work pays off!
The current catch phrase in triathlon, ironman training in-particular is “balance.” Let me ask you a question. What part of 140.6 miles in a single day lends it self to balance?
A professional Marathoner will run an average of 100 miles a week, does that sound like balance? I think most people would consider that extreme. If you break down the numbers a pro can average 10 miles an hour so, they are putting in 10 hours per week. I’ve been seeing triathlon training programs advertised as “balanced” by only training 12 hours per week and finish an Iroman. Why is one extreme and the other balanced? Where am I going with all of this? Well it’s simple, Balance is perception not reality and your goals and results should be based off of real information. The purpose of this blog is to give you this information.
1) Don’t set your goals until you have accurately weighed the cost.
2) Consult the important people in your life (spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend etc.) prior to setting goals.
3) Be honest when assessing your abilities.
Finish goal. This is the easiest to train for and in most cases the most appropriate for the first timer. With this goal, time and speed has diminished importance. Relative comfort is the primary goal and training can be based around your current life style and how much time you have a available to train. having said that, in my opinion to be relative comfortable during an Ironman you will need to put in at least 12 per during your big weeks and 15-17 would be better. You can finish on either program but the time on the course can be considerably affected with a few additional hour per week.
Time goal. This is best approached after a racing resume has been established. In order to accurately set time goals there will need to be an accumulation of data collected. Just how fast can you run, bike and swim? Preferably these bench marks will set as stand alone events and need to be retested fairly often. The amount of training time can vary wildly dependent on the particular goal time 17-20 hours during big weeks would be typical but week to week can vary and workouts will need to be more specific. Consistency becomes very important.
Kona qualifier. Here is the only goal that your athletic ability plays a big roll. It imperative that you know just how fast you are compared to the top people in your age group. There are ways to accurately calculate just how fast you can expect to go assuming everything goes according to plan. If it doesn’t then you will need to be tough, and have the ability to improvise a new plan on the fly. You will also need a measure of luck. Training time can depend on your God given talent but enough base milage at all 3 sports is a must and I figure on 20-25 hours per during big week. Pros are putting in 25-35 hours per not including recovery, massage, stretching etc. Consistency is a must, there are no short cuts. You don’t have the talent, time or discipline, You will be constantly disappointed. Even with the best training and talent it can still take time to reach this goal.
I put some real numbers out there because I believe it’s important to know what it takes to reach your goals. Be honest with your self and your coach. Listen very little to outside voices. They will tell you anything. If your thin, they’ll tell you gain weight, if you train hard they’ll tell you to rest. Not sure why this happens, I guess it’s just human nature. Here is the truth. You signed up for a very long and demanding triathlon. Expect the preparation to demanding as well.
To recap, be honest, train consistan, put in the appropriate milage, and log your training. Logging is the only accurate way to honestly track what you actually did.
Good luck It’s a new year and new opportunity!
