Should I do the Ironman?

Here is an article I wrote a few years ago for Tri Fuel.....

The 2007 Lake Placid Ironman sold out in 90 minutes last week, and I luckily got in, after waiting in line from 0630-0900. Our online friends and athletes recovering from the previous evening's finish were not so lucky. By the time that crowd rolled out of bed at 8am and got to a computer, 2007 had come and gone.

As I am assembling my third Ironman Lake Placid team, I have had the opportunity to speak with several athletes, with varying experience. They come back to the same question:

"How do you know when you are ready for the Ironman?"

I simply tell them "You don't."

I believe there are two horribly difficult times in the Ironman. The day you hand a $450 check over to THE MAN a year in advance...... and the walk to the starting line. Yet aside from those, there are many things that should be aligned within your life before you take on the 140.6 picnic that we like to call Ironman.

Be in a good emotional place. I have known and even worked with athletes who come to the Ironman looking to "fix" something in their life. Whether this is a weight problem, eating disorder or bad relationship, I believe this to be a red flag. The Ironman is like a big huge mirror, meaning it is highly exposing. It exposes you to yourself; it doesn't allow you to hide. Be in a good place emotionally; be ready to handle that kid of exposure.

Get the support of your family. The last thing your nonsuspecting spouse wants to hear on a Monday morning is "Honey I signed up for the Ironman" if they don't know what it will entail. I believe it takes a family to compete in an Ironman. The early months aren't so difficult when juggling family, work etc. There will come a time in the later months however where you will need the extra few hours. Schedule that time with your significant other, and then give them that time back. For example if you are a woman, send your hubby out for boy's night. If you are a man, schedule a day at the spa for your wife. Those are the little things that will make a difference.

Be in good physical shape. I have worked with a few athletes who take on Ironman as their first ever triathlon, and I don't do that anymore. It is physically dangerous but possible to go from couch potato to Ironman in 12 months. It is also very risky. The long endurance training that is required for this race can be dangerous if you don't come to the beginning of the program fit. What is fit? I recommend a training base of 6-8 hours a week for 6 months minimum.

Find a good program. There are literally thousands of resources our there to include websites, coaching, books, magazines etc. All the information you need to help you design your training program is out there. Hiring a coach is helpful to take the guesswork out for you. Whatever program you find or create, make sure it is realistic in terms of time, fitness level and has a good build and recovery flow. The thing to remember, especially for your first Ironman, is that consistency is the priority.

Expect things to go wrong. Injures, scheduling issues and missed workouts will happen. Allow yourself to be flexible to accommodate these things. Don't be so focused and so tunnel visional that a small bump in the road will cause you to fly off the handle. Roll with the punches.

Have good nutrition. Ironman training requires good smart eating. I have seen people gain weight training for this race, because they believe it is their license to eat. Good food in means good return out, in terms of training and performance. Now is a good time too hook up with a nutritionist or dietician.

Have fun. This should be fun, not the end all be all. It is a year of your life, so make it an enjoyable one. Make time to play, make fun a priority. We aren't professional athletes; we are common people who have a dream. Enjoy the ride.

The Ironman can be an incredibly journey, if you take the time to make sure things are in a place within your life, where you can take it on. Good luck, and enjoy the training!