Ironman Triathlon Training

I Felt it was fitting to write about the “Big Daddy” of the triathlon world, the Hawaii Ironman today. It takes place this week, Saturday at 1pm Eastern time.

If you’re in the sport of triathlon and haven’t thought about doing an Ironman yet, most likely it’s coming. Ironman Triathlon training is a serious commitment, but nothing compared to what it takes to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman.

This year a friend and fellow Cyclonaut multisport racer has achieved his lifelong dream and mission to qualify for the Hawaii Ironman. This feat is nothing short of spectacular. Talking to Jim after one of his colossal training weekends following qualifying for the race, he said, this is the greatest achievement of his entire life. Now, understand, Jim is an incredible success in just about everything in life, super successful business man, husband, father and athlete, so for him to crown this achievement in such high standards, says a lot about the effort needed to get to Kona.

History of Kona – Ironman Triathlon Training

The Ironman race, and the Ironman World Championship was born in 1978 when a few brave souls agreed to this crazy idea of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running the marathon, 26.2 miles. US Navy commander John Collins was looking to settle a debate which surfaced from a Sports Illustrated article written on the great cyclist Eddy Merckx who had recorded the highest “oxygen uptake” of any athlete ever measured. Collins suggested combining a series of races that were currently occurring on the island Waikiki, the Waikiki roughwater swim, and the around-Oahu bike race which was 115 miles, and a two day event, and the Honolulu Marathon. During final preparations of the course, they ended up shaving 3 miles off and the Hawaii Ironman was born.

Each racer prior to the race received 3 sheets of paper with course description, instructions, and on the very last page was handwritten by Collins, “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life.”

Ironman Triathlon Training is no joke.

The rest of the story is history, with Jim on our minds as Saturday approaches, I wanted you to understand the effort, sacrifice, focus, and commitment he taught us all in achieving a goal of this magnitude.

He never missed, every workout, the 5am swims, the 7.5 hour bike followed by his 9 mile run, followed the next day with an 18

mile run at 7.30 pace. Or the personal sacrifice, of no beer.   No beer,  can you imagine that!  Rinsing his eggs off, not sure on that one. The man elevated himself to the level it would take to get to Kona. I for one am incredibly proud to be on his team, and to have been present for a few of his long rides.

If you’re in the sport of Triathlon, thinking of doing your first Ironman, then I would say go for it, i.e. when you’re ready. If Hawaii starts to float into your conscious thoughts, then understand this, it’s more than just workouts, its sacrifice to the nth degree. Prepare, and get support for your mission, and even if with this intense effort understand, you still have to rock your qualifying race. Ironman triathlon training needs a focused plan, and highly recommend getting a professional trainer to set you up right.

Here is to Jim, Cyclonaut hero, and friend to us all. We are proud of you. Kick ass.  If your new to the sport, Ironman Triathlon Training and the Ironman is different than any other triathlon race, so make sure your serious and have a plan of attack.