A Beginner's Journey to Ironman 70.3

In November 2016 I signed up for Ironman70.3 Weymouth September 17th 2017. I decided to pack in the marathons for a year or two and take advantage of my student status (more flexible training hours) to take on this giant challenge. I did one sprint triathlon in 2015, I can run 13.1 miles no issues, I own a road bike and there is a pool up the road! Perfect. I handed over the “early bird” “cheaper” entry fee without blinking and have been living off my overdraft ever since! Thus, began ‘Ironman for beginners research’!

I Googled "Top 10 tips for the Half Ironman".... "So you’ve done a few short distance triathlons and now you are itching to step it up to the next distance- the Half Ironman... ". What have I just done? You're an idiot Loz. No deferral allowed. Once you're in, you're in!

So yeah here I am 2 months out from my first ever Ironman70.3 and I am very excited about it! Why? Let’s face it, it's a disgusting endurance event that I inevitably would end up doing. My natural attitude is: set massive goals, achieve them, set higher goals, achieve them and go again! Go Hard or Go Home.

The PB phase

December 2016-April 2017 I spent my time taking advantage of the long distance legs that I had since the marathon and I got 5km (19:07) and 10km (40:28) running PB's. I was also recruited to Hillingdon AC from my local parkrun. The run club was the support network I had missed since my old Sweatshop days and it genuinely helped me get out in the winter to train. However, I burned out as I was studying, training and working crazy hours. Shout out to Colin Francis who has been my Ironman motivation man this whole time.

The Burnout Phase

April & May was a complete training failure. I couldn't run 5km without stopping at least 3

times with stomach pain and a tough Kilmovee 10km in April confirmed that I needed to stop running. No problem, I'll just go for a cycle instead. I absolutely fell in love with cycling from then on and still consider it my favourite of the three disciplines at the moment. Who knew! I still hadn't settled into base training at this point as I had exams and was still working all sorts of shifts. About this time I realised how unprepared I was kit wise. I began bargain hunting. I had no idea how much STUFF I needed in order to just have the basic kit! £££££ Having 3 jobs helped ha.

The Base Training Phase

Luckily my June/July work placement was a 5 minute cycle down the road. I designed myself a demanding training plan with help from some research into training magazines and online resources. I managed to stick to it religiously with very few tweaks needed along the way. I had an Achilles niggle throughout but managed to stave it off, no thanks to a particularly awesome day racing a 3km and a 2km steeplechase on a track. I gained quality base training with 5 or 6 sessions per week for all three disciplines in June (I trained 26/30 days in June). This allowed me to have the stamina to hike up the mileage in July. I racked up 10 hour sleeps for the last 3 days in June. I am officially ready for July training and the brick sessions! (sessions joined together as one training session e.g swim then bike OR bike then run).

During training I've managed to make a list of the things that I learned about and things that I am a bit worried about but can manage. I think. I hope!

1. The swim- Let's face it, I've never been a swimmer and I never will be! The irony of living with an elite breast stroke swimmer and an international synchronised swimmer! I had a mini panic attack in the indoor pool so I've been training in the outdoor pool for an hour every Wednesday (and some Friday mornings) since May. Not a wetsuit in sight! That's what a childhood in the wet, rainy, cold West of Ireland has prepared me for! Win. My main worry is panicking in the water and not making the cut off time so I’ve decided to go in last on race day to save a kick in the face. I have also penciled in a few sea swims in August.

Race Goal: 1,900m in 60 mins (No Shame)

Equipment:

SUNCREAM

Tri suit

Wetsuit

Goggles

Cap

Tri Watch

Anti Chaffing rub (for neck and ankles)

A 'can do' attitude

2. The cycle- I've always loved the bike especially weekly spin sessions in the gym. But little did I realise the mechanics involved! Punctures, puncture resistant tires, changing a tire, inner tubes, chain cleaners, gear shifts, clippy shoes (bought on an ebay bid war for £7), padded shorts, road rage, the list goes on. I genuinely don’t want a puncture so I aim to practice the changeover until I’m blue in the face. I cycle to work daily and then I do my long ride 35miles+ on Sunday mornings. Ended up on the M4 for about 400m passing Windsor last week! I have also learned what drafting is, that’s totally illegal on race day so I’m praying for no wind on race day.

Race Goal: 56 miles in 3hrs 40min

Equipment:

Helmet

Clippy shoes

Cliff bars

Isotonic drink

Inner tube

CO2 cannister,

Tyre levers,

Race belt

3. The run- You may think that the run will be easiest for me! Afraid not, my endurance is still way off so I've accepted that I'll be a jack of all trades, master of none in the quest for Ironman status. I train every Tuesday and Thursday with club doing short intense reps covering a minimum 5 miles. I am currently doing a long run every Monday morning about 18hrs after my long Sunday ride. This is the only way I can challenge my body safely until I begin brick sessions in July. I have also signed up for Richmond Park 1/2 Marathon July 23rd to keep me motivated. I'm excited to get to the run on race day as the worst will be behind me hopefully.

Race Goal: 13.1 miles in 1hr 40 mins

Equipment: Trainers, Lock laces, Gels, and a shed load of mental strength!

To be honest, I set myself a training plan that I genuinely thought would have been too unrealistic to complete but I've managed to stick to it to the letter. I have loved the challenge it has offered me so far and a welcomed change from plodding the streets on my own. I am taking this Ironman training very seriously and I am learning loads about different disciplines but at the end of the day all I want to do is finish it within the time limits and have a blast. My total aim is 6hr 40 minutes based on my training so far.

Stay tuned for race day report: Ironman 70.3 Weymouth September 17th 2017

#triathlon #training #ironman #cycling #running #swimming