The ultimate triathlon is the ironman. You have a 2.4 mile swim, then a 112 mile bike ride and finally a 26.2 mile marathon run. It is hard and training for one should be treated with respect and include a proper ironman training plan. A lot of people think there is no way they can handle this kind of event when they work or study full-time, but it is possible and the following tips will help.
Have a realistic idea of the schedule you can keep to
It is easy to have these very grand plans of spending thirty hours a week training, heading out every weekend and going in long bike rides, swims and runs and committing at least 4 to 6 days a week to training. But the fact is trying to fit in those kinds of hours and training levels around if you work or study, and also having time for loved ones is very difficult if not impossible. Your ironman training plans need to be more realistic. Set a training schedule that will prepare you but that is realistic and possible to keep. You are not a professional athlete so you do not need to train as such. Work out how many hours you have to give to this a week and then do that, and then the rest of the time work, spend time with family, take your kids to the park, go see your friends. You can have a life still. In your hardest weeks of training, it should be around 15 to 18 hours. In the lighter weeks, less!
Be clear and detailed about what you want to achieve
With that time decided it means being smarter about how to achieve the goals you have. Set detailed goals looking at things like endurance, recovery, tempo, speed and such. Then decide what you are working on and how you are going to achieve that goal and where you can perform it. When you have a good and detailed plan you are more likely to achieve it.
Stay consistent with your training
A part of your ironman training plan should be a focus on being consistent. If you are not being consistent with your training to work towards those goals, then those plans need to change so that you can achieve that consistency. It is okay to revise your plans. Of course, everyone misses a run, swim or bike ride at some point, but try not to make that a habit or you will start to stagnate and you won’t reach your goals. Being inconsistent in your training can also lead to injuries.
Remember what is important
As important as the ironman training plans and the event is to you, these are still smaller things in the grand overview of your life. When you look back in a decade you will not say oh that day I didn’t ride those extra miles was a big deal. Your family and friends are important and they have to miss seeing you so often while you through the training so make sure they are appreciated and that you are happy.
