There are a bunch of training plans out there. It’s for a select few who possess the mental and physical toughness not only to show up on race day, but to persevere through to the finish. A feat so difficult and unimaginable, 99%+ of the world’s population dare not even consider trying.īut a long course triathlon, like an Ironman®, isn’t for the world’s population. The thought of doing one yourself, none the less having considered that thought long enough to be looking for a 1 year triathlon training plan, boarders on the heroic. Simply the idea of training for an Ironman® triathlon, could leave any sane person in awe. That said, Holland also likes the Ironman Florida.Perfect for your first Ironman® or Ironman® 70.3® Triathlon According to Ryan, this is the “be-all-end-all” of triathlon racing. Probably the most well-known IronmanTriathlon is the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in Kona. Ryan says novices may require six to nine months to be ready for this distance, while experienced triathletes may only require four to six months. Depending on your fitness level, course conditions, and the weather on race day, you can expect to complete these three legs in about 10 to 17 hours. This triathlon distance requires a 2.4 mile swim (3.9K), 112 mile bike (180.2K), and 26.2 mile run (42.2K). Each year, over 96,000 athletes register to compete in Ironman races, representing over 90 countries, regions and territories. Not only is it the most mentally and physically challenging feat of human fitness (hello, 140.6 miles!) but it’s also a huge investment to train properly. When you’re ready to test the waters with this challenging distance, Holland recommends the 70.3 Lake Placid triathlon. He suggests figuring out what your specific fueling plan will be-hydration as well as nutrition-as you will exercise continuously for an extended period of time. “ Nutrition on the course becomes much more important as you get up to the half Ironman and Ironman distance triathlons,” explains Holland. Ryan says novices may require four to six months to be ready for this distance, while experienced triathletes may only require three to four months. So, if this triathlon is on your to-do list, make sure you plan accordingly. Once you reach this level of competition, you can expect to spend about five to seven hours completing this race. It’s important to note, says Holland, that there are Ironman-distance triathlons as well as specific “Ironman” branded tris, since “Ironman” is a trademarked name. This distance (70.3 miles) will test both your mental and physical strength as you swim 1.2 miles (1.9K), bike 56 miles (90K), and run 13.1 miles (21.1K). The Half Ironman is the primer for the ultimate race: the Ironman. If you’re looking to compete at one of the more popular Olympic distances, Holland says to consider trying the New York City Triathlon or Malibu Triathlon. That’s why Holland says this is an ideal time to identify which leg you feel the least confident about doing on race day and spend more time working on that during your triathlon training. Ryan says novices may require three to five months to be ready for this distance, while experienced triathletes may only require six to 12 weeks.īy the time you’re competing in the Olympic distance, there’s a good chance you’ll know what your strengths and weaknesses are. While not overly long, Ryan does say that by the end, it will test your endurance, make your quads burn, and put your mental fortitude to the test. Plan on spending about three to four hours outdoors swimming, biking, and running when you get to this level. When you line up on the starting line, get ready to swim 0.93 miles (1.5K), bike 24.85 miles (40K), and run 6.2 miles (10K). In fact, this is a popular choice for competitors who are training for an Ironman, which means you will meet some fierce competitors on race day. Fair warning: the Olympic distance is no easy feat.
![iron man distances iron man distances](https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/files/img_cache/13158/1920_1619076192_HalfIronmanTriathlon.png)
Once you’ve conquered the sprint triathlon, it’s time to tackle the Olympic distance.
![iron man distances iron man distances](https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/files/img_cache/13156/1920_1619076192_shorttriathlondistances.png)
![iron man distances iron man distances](https://wpassets.trainingpeaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/5-keys-to-LC-Racing.png)
There are thousands of sprint triathlons all over the country, but some of Holland’s favorite sprint races include the Chicago Triathlon and Wildflower Triathlon in California. “Swimming in a protected pool environment is exponentially different from swimming with hundreds of other people in the open water,” he explains. Since the sprint is a popular choice for novice racers, Holland says if your triathlon involves an open water swim, be sure to get out of the pool and into the open water for at least a few practice swims.