Remember when you first saw that episode of Magnum PI, when Thomas Magnum competed in that long distance triathlon? When the hard work of his morning ocean swims and running away from Zeus and Apollo finally paid off.
And remember when you saw the lean, mean veteran who kept on going once he got out the water, and you couldn’t figure out where he got the strength to get on that bike or where he was off to next?
Slowly the seeds were planted and you figured it was something you should do. The mountain you had to climb. You contemplated the Ironman and over time the decision was made that it was something that you had inside yourself.
You may not have realised it yet, but the roots have taken hold. And when they do, you need to have a game plan. Here are some pointers that would have helped guide me in the right direction.
- Before you obtain permission from the Boss (wife/husband/parents/kids/work boss/etc), ask yourself why you want to do an Ironman. Write it down. To get fit? You lost a bet? You want to see how fast your engine can go? Just remember it’s not only a question that many will ask you, but something that you will ask yourself many times over, and you will need to have an answer. You don’t want to find yourself 11 hours into a race - dirty, tired and lonely - and not know why you are there.
- Find out what is involved. An Ironman involves 3.8k’s of swimming, 180k’s on the bike and a 42.2 k run, and it’s a title that needs to be earned.
- Get advice from someone who has done an Ironman. The World Wide Web is full of good, decent people who will gladly offer their two-cents worth.
- Formulate a plan. Break it up into short and long term goals. Make sure they are achievable, and not mere wishes.
- Once you have an idea of what it takes - discuss it with the Boss. You need them on your side because it will affect everything that you do from the moment you make the decision until you cross that line.
Now that you’ve got the GO-AHEAD, here are my suggestions:
- Take a picture of yourself in your swimsuit now to remind yourself what you looked like when you started this endeavour. It will make the victory at the end of the race that much sweeter.
- Buy Vaseline. Use it liberally on your feet when you run for more than 60 minutes. Blisters hinder all elements of your training.
- Always have a plan B. Whether this means finding the closest swimming pool to your office or leaving spare work clothes at your office, so you can run to work in the mornings.
- Learn how to clean and look after your bike. You will be changing many flat tyres. Get used to it. Don’t be left stranded 20k’s from home with a flat and no money. You will hate yourself and people will laugh at you. Refer to point 3 above.
- Be open to learning new things about swimming, cycling and running. Drill down into everything. There is always room for improvement.
- When you are tired, go to sleep early. Watching TV until the test pattern comes on eats into your rest time.
- Think about what you want to wear on race day. It’s a long day; you want to look good.
Other points which I find helpful:
- Think about what you eat and drink. What you put in you get out.
- An Ironman is more about the journey than the destination.
- Make time for your loved ones.
- Be flexible with your program and yourself.
- An Ironman is only a race. If you falter, bounce back.
- Wake up an hour before each big session and eat something while you stretch.
- It’s ok to wear big nappy-like cycling shorts on your big rides.
- Simplify your life.
"If you want something with all your heart, and you follow your destiny, all the world will conspire to help you achieve your dream."
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
Aloha nui loa,
RobbyRicc
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