***IRONMAN-Triathalon***

[DevanE]

For the past few weeks I've been seriously considering competing in the IRONMAN. Physical wise I have put my body through all types of tests from taking Martial Arts to power-lifting, boxing, playing football, etc etc and I have excelled at each and every one of these aspects and most of all I have always been a natural athlete. I KNOW what I'm capable off and I KNOW for a fact that I could seriously give some of these competitors a run for their money. If THIS!!!!!!! guy can do it what is stopping me...? and most of all I'm a quarter of his age!!!!. I just need to tap into that mindset that X factor, the "IT" that keeps some of these triathletes going. Obviously a lot of them are twice my age and older than I am so they have something I don't YET.

Training wise I have already started working on my cardio. I was a solid 175lb and have began to cut down. Funny enough my neighbor who turns out KNOWS about these types of things and used to compete in them was jumping at the opportunity to train me and help me. He is an avid cyclist and knows his sh**. (He is 58 so that's a given :yes: ). He also told me that I need to weigh not more than 165lbs MAX because it would be easier if I was light.

So guys what is it going to take for me to step it up...?:box:

 

[Alle_Gory]

When you know how to figure out the "it" please update.

I think that's the most important thing. The body can take you far, but when you're tired as hell and you need to stop... what is it going to take to keep on going?

I've done track and field, but nothing that insane.

 

[Road Demon]

For the past few weeks I've been seriously considering competing in the IRONMAN. Physical wise I have put my body through all types of tests from taking Martial Arts to power-lifting, boxing, playing football, etc etc and I have excelled at each and every one of these aspects and most of all I have always been a natural athlete. I KNOW what I'm capable off and I KNOW for a fact that I could seriously give some of these competitors a run for their money. If THIS!!!!!!! guy can do it what is stopping me...? and most of all I'm a quarter of his age!!!!. I just need to tap into that mindset that X factor, the "IT" that keeps some of these triathletes going. Obviously a lot of them are twice my age and older than I am so they have something I don't YET.

Training wise I have already started working on my cardio. I was a solid 175lb and have began to cut down. Funny enough my neighbor who turns out KNOWS about these types of things and used to compete in them was jumping at the opportunity to train me and help me. He is an avid cyclist and knows his sh**. (He is 58 so that's a given :yes: ). He also told me that I need to weigh not more than 165lbs MAX because it would be easier if I was light.

So guys what is it going to take for me to step it up...?:box:

You describe success 'power sports.' Kudos. Different than endurance sports that require a high aerobic capacity.

Be patient and be willing to invest 3-5 years before you really begin to accel. It takes years to get good at endurance sports such as Tri, cycling, or running. You are dealing with motion specific physiology that needs to adapt.

Your cycling friend is refering to increasing your 'power to weight ratio' which affects running and uphill cycling (w/kg) performance. 'Power to frontal area' determines Flat land cycling speed.

The most critical event is running to good performance in the Triathlons. Most successful runners weight hover around the magical 2lbs per inch rule for success.

Get a good coach, be prepared to train 10-14 hours per week.

 

[PhatE1vis]

I'm a marathon runner and triathlete, but I haven't (and won't) try an ironman because I know my limitations. However, I understand the excitement you're feeling just thinking about it.

Before I ran my first marathon, I did a bunch of smaller races. 5K, 5 Mile, 10 Mile, Half Marathon before jumping in to try 26.2. What do you think about training for a marathon first, and then trying to train for an Ironman. Or maybe train for a half Ironman. I don't want to dampen your spirits....I just try to take the most practical approach.

 

[DevanE]

....

Hey Road Demon, thanks a lot for the info and yes I have already started working on it!!!. I'm putting in about 2 hours a day in the gym, running, riding and strengthening my core to the max. I don't know if I need a coach to be honest but I found this great website for beginner tri-athletes which has a lot of useful information.

Originally posted by:- PhatE1vis

I'm a marathon runner and triathlete, but I haven't (and won't) try an ironman because I know my limitations. However, I understand the excitement you're feeling just thinking about it.

Before I ran my first marathon, I did a bunch of smaller races. 5K, 5 Mile, 10 Mile, Half Marathon before jumping in to try 26.2. What do you think about training for a marathon first, and then trying to train for an Ironman. Or maybe train for a half Ironman. I don't want to dampen your spirits....I just try to take the most practical approach.

Oh I'm more than excited. I already started training for it because I know I must build a solid base before anything so I have been playing full court basketball and riding 5mi on the bike at a moderate resistance. My body seems to be adapting pretty fast but obviously it's having trouble with the consistency of it you know maintaining a steady pace. Don't worry I plan to work my way up so I will compete in marathons and other events to test myself out and see how much I can handle. Keep the tips coming guys!!.

 

[Road Demon]

Please share that Tri-Training site (a Personal message is fine). I can evaluate whether it is reasonable approach.

Training for Tri racing is far from an easy task. Coordinating different workouts throughout the week for 3 different sports is a challenge. Sure you can just run, bike, and swim, but integrating high intensity interval work for each sport and allowing for recovery is a life-style change. That is why I suggested getting an entry level coach (~100 bucks/month), or at least finding a mentor to guide you in the right direction. You might want to pick up Joe Friels Triathlon Training Bible as a start.

Now core work is good say ~20 minutes 3-4x a week, but weight training and full court basketball does nothing for Triathlon fitness. In fact weight training will REDUCE running, cycling, and swim performance. I have read the peer reviewed studies. Weight training is great for general fitness and increasing bone density, and unless you want to compete in endurance sports then I would recommend weight training, again for general fitness.

(Google: Tanaka et. al. Specificity of sport)

You mentioned 5 miles; I assume you meant running rather than cycling. Your cycling training rides should be 25 miles, and working up to 35-50 on weekend days. I assume you have a road bike, and I strongly encourage you to get a 'bike fit' a racing oriented bike shop ~100-200 bucks, that will prevent injury and make you much more comfortable, as well as faster on the bike. Fyi: an entry level race bike about 1200-1500, not including 'aerodynamic stuff.'

For both running and swimming you should find swim and running clubs, and after meeting up with them a few times, ask for points on how to improve your technique. You mentioned you have someone who can assist you cycling; I hope he is/was at least a 'cat 3' racing cyclist, a USA cycling certified coach, and/or a very active club cyclist.

Oh yeah, what is height and weight again? 175 and 5"11' plus?

 

[DevanE]

Here is the website what do you think...?

Road Demon you obviously know your stuff but keep in mind that I am currently a student with very limited funds so me getting a coach is next to impossible or investing in a cycle because those things are pretty expensive. So the only bike riding I do is at the gym. I started off riding my bike YES riding my bike for 5 mi because I hadn't ridden one in such a long time and had a pretty low endurance. Since then I've worked my way and now I can push up to 10 miles in 30 minutes at a good pace I don't know if that is a good time but I'll continue to push more until I'm knocking out like 30 - 40 miles with ease...it's just going to take some time.

I assumed basketball would be good for cardio but I guess I'll stop wasting my time with that.

Core work I do almost everyday especially the abs. I do lift weights but not like I was before very light just enough to keep some strength and build endurance. I have gone down from a 172lb's to about 165 right now and I'm 5'8. I am going to talk to my neighbor for mentoring since he was willing to help me and see what's up with that and of course I have you for help as well.

 

[Road Demon]

Hi DevanE,

Triathalon is a upper middle class sport, unfortunately. Running or even cycle racing is much cheaper.

I agree a decent bike is a sizable investment.

At 5'8" you looking to weigh about 145-155 pds to be good. Closer to 145-150. Wanna go fast uphill your looking to be around 140 lbs.

30-40 mile training rides are good, I bet about 2-2.5 hours on the bike, 10 miles in 30 min is 20 mph, which a good base miles pace.

The website looks like it has alot of information, a good find.

RD