Well Could I?
So here’s the problem. Most of the triathlon / fitness blogs I read are written by real people. People like you or me. And they do really amazing things.
At the moment, I’m not even a triathlete at all - it’s more than 12 months since I last got painted, dunked, wind dried and pounded. So right now, I’m a ‘civilian’. That’s going to change in 26 days time, with the Stratford triathlon - the UK’s largest pool-based event.
And then what? Tall Friend and I have been eying up the next rung of the ladder - Olympic distance. Or there’s the possibility of doing two sprint events in the same day - the Warwick & Wombourne races are on the same day in September, and with an early start for one, and a late start for the other . . .
But do I really want to be metaphorically climbing the North Downs, when there are real mountains out there?
The enthusiasm of people like the ZappoMan (pictured, left, in blue when his regular costume and beard are both in the wash) has got me thinking. Really thinking.
Why not go for the Big One?
Ironman.
I know I could do each of the events, and probably even the swim within the time limit. But all three together? Could I get that focused on my training?
I really don’t know if I could. I don’t mean that I think I couldn’t, it’s just that I haven’t decided. What I do know is that as Mary Kay Ash said,
“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right“
I need to do some more thinking about this. And probably talk things over with my wife - it’ll mean a consistent 8 hours a week, rising to 12-16 or so in the lead up to race day. I definitely won’t be an Ironman this year, but Nice is starting to look kinda tempting in 2008 . . .
I’m still training for my first triathlon. I bet if you try hard you could do the ironman triathlon. I hope to do it one day. Thanks!
Have I told you about the Triathlon Forums yet?
Hello again Scott - how’s the training going / how long before your Day of Destiny?
I did check out the Triathlon Forums - some pretty handy stuff I thought, but I tend not to sign up to forums (no idea why - probably my short attention span).
Following your prompt though, I did rediscover Beginner Triathlete today, when searching for ‘first time ironman’. Lots of really high quality articles, training plans for different kinds of race seasons, etc. Might be worth your while havin a look around if you’re first race is still a way off.
Good luck with the training!
Karl - of course you can, especially with the understanding and support of your wife; definitely include her early in the planning process so she knows what you’re getting yourself into. Without her support, it’ll be tough to achieve your goal.
Besides, a nice family vacation in Nice would be wonderful for both of you, eh?
I do recommend involving a coach in your planning, whether it be a live person or a virtual one, like the one used at . The virtual coach will keep things mixed up enough that you’ll never get bored with your training, plus will work you through a logical progression of training to ensure your success.
And no, I do not work for them. I’m just very impressed with the quality of their product.
-bill
Of course you can, Karl. Of course you can.
Better to have the understanding and support of your wife. Definitely sit with her so she knows the demands that your undertaking will entail. I know I can’ t do it without mine.
And definitely consider a coach. Whether they be real or virtual. Virtual’s cheaper, like at . Their virtual coach will help you step through the entire year, developing the phases and mixing up the workouts so that you don’t get bored. I highly recommend them.
And no, I don’t work for them. I just really like their product.
-bill
Karl, you flatter me… I’m telling you, Ironman is not that big of a deal… it’s a long day… for sure… but it’s much less about physical and much more about mental toughness to complete it.
Of course, getting permission from the family is a big deal… it helped me that my wife also wanted to take on the 3 day walk for Breast Cancer the same summer. So she had to do hours and hours of training to prepare for that (it’s 20 miles a day for three days in a row… yowza, that’s a lot of walking!)… we had to work around each others schedules, but there was never any question about “why do you need to go train?”
Brad Zappoman looks tough in his blue costume, yo!
Karl, If the Ironman calls to you, you should do it. I agree with Zappoman, it takes a huge committment and getting support from your family is crucial. You may think about it for a while, maybe pick the race you want to do and then start taking steps towards getting there. I have some friends who are doing their first ironman, in Canada this year. They watched the Penticton Ironman, and signed up. They’ve been training since fall and did their first marathon in Carlbad, California in January, as part of the training. Zappoman says the ironman will change your life. I have never done an ironman, but doing a marathon has changed mine. What a challenge! I say go for it!
Thank you all for your comments and encouragement here. I’ve still got a lot of thinking to do about this, but what you’ve said is helping me to find the confidence that I’ll need to make the decision - and it will be a decision to either do, or not do - there’ll be no trying here!
I’ve been doing triathlons for 4 years now (mostly Olympic distance), and I know that there’s nothing you can’t do if you put enough training and effort into it. I completed a half-Ironman last year and it took me six months to get ready for it, starting with a fairly good fitness base.
If you’re going to do an Ironman–and I agree that you should–I’d suggest a year of prep, but that’s just a suggestion. Try a few of the halfs, see how you like it. The training commitment IS tricky when mixed with a family. Maybe your wife wants to switch to triathlons, too? (ha)
Good luck on your training!
Lyn