To consider yourself an Ironman is a high honour, indeed. From its Hawaiian roots to its modern day global reach, the Ironman is the pinnacle of multi-sport endurance events that thousands train for and compete in every single year. Do you have what it takes? This article will give you the low-down on what to expect when you enter into one of the world’s most grueling races.

What Is the Ironman Triathlon?

While all triathlons consist of a swim, cycle, and run portion (in that order), the distances of each of those events can vary quite dramatically. The Ironman, on the other hand, has specific distances for the different parts of the race. There are two Ironman events, full and half. Reference the tables below to see what distances are involved in each one.

As you can see, whether you do the half or the full, you’re in for a serious day of competition. Participants on average lose about 4% of their body weight while competing in the Ironman, and approximately 4%-7% of the people who start will not finish due to fatigue, injury, or not crossing the finish line in time (around 8 hours for 70.3 and 17 hours for 140.6).

The most famous Ironman event is the Ironman World Championship, held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It gathers the world's top triathletes who have qualified through other Ironman races. The Kona course is renowned for its challenging conditions, including strong winds and intense heat, making it one of the most coveted titles in the sport of triathlon.

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What Is the Best Way to Train for an Ironman?

To be among the dedicated field of individuals and teams who find themselves at the start line of an Ironman, you have to be prepared to put in at least months, but more likely years, of consistent training. Many at the beginning of their triathlon journey have dreams of one day completing an Ironman, but progressing past the dream stage is something few will manage.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can go from amateur to elite in the sport of triathlon, with some helpful advice that you can incorporate no matter what stage you’re at in your career.

Slowly Build Volume

Avoiding injury is the absolute key to success in endurance training, and because triathlon is the combination of three separate endurance events, there’s almost nowhere that this credo rings more true. A pyramid is only as tall as its base, and building that out slowly is one of the best ways to get your conditioning up to Ironman levels. Start slow, take your time, and be consistent.

Start Racing

Training is one thing, but competing against other people is another world entirely. The quicker you can get into a race, the better. Find a Sprint and see how you do, get competitive there. After a few, try the Olympic/Standard distance. Start testing your metal against the general population and see how you hold up, because when you’re at the Ironman, you’ll be running with the best.

(Credit: Adobe Stock)

Compete Regularly

Constantly have competition on the horizon - it’s one of the best motivators and reminders to stay consistent in your training. Incorporate them into your schedule and learn the ins and outs of training variability. Because of the huge demands of a race like Ironman, you need to be a near expert when it comes to managing training loads and showing up your best on race day.

Strength & Mobility Training

Tough tissues can handle the impact, and supple tissues don’t break. We need a combination of both to endure the demanding workload of Ironman training. By incorporating strength and mobility sessions into your weekly routine, you’ll be better able to address muscle imbalances, asymmetries, and other bodily inconsistencies that can inhibit or compromise your training.

Train Pain-Free With Dynamic Triathlete

When training for something like an Ironman, it can be helpful to have a coach and community around that supports you towards your goal. That’s exactly what we’ve worked hard to develop here at Dynamic Triathlete. Hundreds of high-quality workout routines to address every component of your fitness. Try us out for 7-days free by clicking here!

Written by Eric Lister – Certified Personal Trainer & Corrective Exercise Specialist