Do an Ironman Triathlon

Do an Ironman Triathlon

Finishing the granddaddy of them all isn't as impossible as you might think.

The sport of triathlon is booming, and as it grows, so does the number of individuals participating in the granddaddy of triathlons, the Ironman. That means 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of cycling, topped off with a little thing they call the marathon.

While the annual Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, is the race that started the craze some 30 years ago, that race is nearly impossible to get into. As with prestigious races such as the Boston Marathon, everyone wants to get into the Ironman World Championship, but there are only 1,700 slots available. Almost all of those go to people who have finished in the top ranks of previous Ironman races. No matter. Like just about everything, the Ironman franchise has grown. There are now almost two dozen officially sanctioned Ironman triathlons throughout the world, including seven in North America. In addition, there are a number of Ironman-distance races that do not bear the Ironman logo (that is, they are less expensive) and are more than worthwhile. So, you’ve done a few triathlons and now you want to take the Ironman plunge? Here’s how to go about it.

1. First, register. If you want to do one of the official Ironman races (Arizona, Coeur d’Alene, Lake Placid, Canada, Louisville, Wisconsin, Florida), you must sign up quickly. Online registration for the following year’s race usually begins the day after this year’s race and, in some cases (for example, Lake Placid and Canada), sells out within hours. Another option is to attend this year’s race as a spectator or volunteer, then stay until the following day, when on-site registration for next year’s race begins. To find schedules and registration information for Ironman and/or Ironman-distance races, go to www.ironman.com and www.trifind.com/iron.html.
2. Train. A lot. But maybe not quite as much as you’d think. To finish an Ironman triathlon, you do not have to say goodbye to family and friends for months at a time. In general, you need to work up to being able to do each of the following at least once before the race: swim 2.4 miles, cycle for 6 hours, and run for 3 hours. A 6-hour brick (bike and run workout) is also advisable. That could be 4 hours of cycling followed immediately by 2 hours of running. If you can complete these key workouts, chances are good that you can finish an Ironman. To help you get there, a couple of books—Training Plans for Multisport Athletes by Gale Bernhardt and Going Long: Training for Ironman-Distance Triathlons by Joe Friel and Gordon Byrn (both Velo Press)—have workout schedules and are loaded with valuable tips and information.
3. Equipment. Another word for triathlon equipment is “expensive.” Carbon wheels, titanium triathlon bikes, personalized training programs, a required five-night hotel stay—eek! It runs into money. But the truth is, you don’t need many of the Ironman accessories and accoutrements that are out there and somewhat pushed on you as if they are the only way to go. A wetsuit is quite useful, not only for keeping you warm in some of the chillier race locales but also because its buoyancy makes it easier to swim. These can be had for prices starting at a little more than $200 or rented from triathlon-geared shops for about $35. You certainly need a bike, preferably a fairly light one with a carbon fork (as most road bikes come these days). Aero bars, which start at about $40 and can go into the hundreds, are a big help, but really, that’s about all you need. You don’t really need any triathlon-specific running gear. As for the required five-night stay at many Ironman host-city lodgings, book way in advance and/or rent a condo with another athlete. The particular race website is sure to have an extensive accommodations link.
4. Have fun. Most Ironman-type races have a 17-hour time limit, which is quite generous. Many people walk the entire marathon and still finish by the midnight cut-off time. So enjoy it all. You’ll be an Ironman!