Just out of interest, would there be a hardened Ironman athlete who could advise me on a 6 month Ironman Training plan?

For my sins I have entered Ironman Wales this year, and this is a step up for me from Half Distances.

Many thanks in advance for any ideas/help.

I know I am looking at 12 hours per week minimum, which is not generally a problem, I have been reading Joe Friels book and it has helped but also confused....

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Hi Carl

I did my first Ironman in Wales last September
and although it is a hilly course both bike and run
if you train for hilly bikes and runs which I did.
That will be a start.

The book that I worked with is called going long.

I also completed the long course weekend last June in
Tenby which helped me. You don't have to do all three.
But I certainly recommend the bike and swim course.
Especially the swim as I never have swam long distance
in the sea strong tides and currants in Tenby.

I trained between 12-18 hours a week which included
lots of brick traing ie two hours bike one hour run.

I would include a couple of century rides and a couple
of marathons then plenty of open water swimming at
Blithfield one or two of the laps.

I am also training for Ironman Bolton July.
I train every morning so if you fancy meeting up
any time call me.
0759 5002449

Good Luck
Share

Cheers Share

So far I have:


3th May Fred Whitton Challenge Lakes - 100 Miles
 
17th June Karrimor Great Trail Challenge (Full Marathon Trail)
 
1st July Trentham Half Ironman

Not sure what else to go for at mo in the way of events just big rides with buddies I think.

I train in the pool quite heavily, you are right I should do more open water, will put that on the list..

I live in Great Wyrley, dropped you an SMS, would be good to train with someone again.

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I did my first IM distance last year, and the best article I read about training is the link below.

Although the title of the article suggest it's just about the run, it isn't. I followed the recommendations and got across the line in 12:37, about 1.5hrs faster than I thought I would.

Here's the article: click here

Cheers Keith, this is invaluable info, certainly to be remembered.

Thanks for that ;-)

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Hi Carl ,

I wrote an article "The Novices Guide to Long Distance Triathlon" it should give you some pointers to help you devise your own training plan, to suit you. Ironman is not rocket science but there's an awful lot of technobabble about Ironman. It basically involves a lot of swimming, biking, running and most importantly planning and common sense.

email me at DaveHollyoak@yahoo.co.uk and I'll send you a copy .

Dave

Thanks for sending your article through Dave.

This has answered many of my questions and also helped me to understand where I may have gone wrong doing Middle Distance events.

Some great pointers to remember and think about both prior to and on the day, hope you don't mind I fowarded it onto my Triathlon buddy and he said the same.

A must read for anyone looking at stepping up from Standard Distance ;-)

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Cool .
I'm glad you find it useful . It was written as a no nonsense guide from experience as I found most training schedules and guides are not written from experience but from a science in sport perspective. Too hard to digest and certainly too rigid to be practical . 12-18hrs/wk is more than ample for a short course athlete to step up to Ironman. The biggest limiter to stepping up is in our heads not our bodies . And always remember one size doesn't fit all . Building yourself a bespoke schedule is not that difficult and it will make your journey even more interesting and fulfilling.

If anyone else would like a copy please email me at davehollyoak@yahoo.co.uk I'd be happy to forward you a copy .

Any feedback would be appreciated .

Thanks
Dave