Ironman Event: What It Is, Where It Is, and How to Do It

Did you know that there are 49 qualifying events in 27 different countries where the best athletes compete for a spot in the World Championship Ironman Event every year? 

Do you have what it takes to be the best? If you're ready to prove it, you can take part in one of two qualifying events in the UK for your chance at competing in the World Championship Ironman Event. 

But what is the Ironman event, where is it, and how do you prepare for it? If you're ready to prove you're the best of the best, keep reading to learn what you need to know. 

What Is The Ironman Event? 

The Ironman Triathalon is a long-distance triathlon race. It gets organized by the World Triathalon Corporation. 

This event consists of the following activities:

• 2.4-mile swim
• 112-mile bicycle ride
• 26.22-mile run (marathon)

This event is considered by many to be the most difficult one-day sporting event in the world. 

Where Is the Ironman Event? 

Every year you will find two official Ironman competitions that take place in the UK. These events take place in Wales and Bolton. It is at these events that you can qualify for the world championship.

The world championship takes place in the United States in Hawaii.

Start Your Ironman Training Plan 

Are you ready to compete for your chance to head to the world championship? This intensive event requires more than just a few weeks of training. 

During the event, you will take your body to its limits, and you need to start training early if you want to be among the 96.7 per cent of people who finish the race. 

Talk to Your Doctor

You should always talk to your doctor before undergoing a new exercise routine. However, for an event as intensive as Ironman, it's even more important to speak with your doctor before you get started. 

Be sure to talk to your doctor about the following:

• A good way to begin training
• Diet while training
• Vitamins and mineral supplements
• Pain relievers
• Physical limitations

By talking to your doctor, you can be sure to have a solid game plan in place that will help you train and compete as safely as possible. 

Get Your Gear

What gear do you need when you're training? You will need different gear for each event.

For running, make sure to get good shoes that are comfortable. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause pain and injuries. Also, consider getting a hydration pack to carry with you when you're running. 

For biking, you'll at the very least need a road bike and a helmet. However, if you're wanting something more, you can also get a triathlon bike, clip-in bike shoes, and a mounted hydration system. 

Finally, for swimming, you'll need your swimsuit and goggles. In addition, consider getting a swim cap and, if you're more comfortable, a wetsuit. 

Set Up a Training Schedule

Don't base when to start your training on when you sign up for the race. Instead, base when you sign up for the race on when you start training. 

You should be training for six to twelve months before you enter your Ironman event; however, if you can train for longer, that's fantastic. 

There are two things you will want to consider when you make your training schedule: 

1. Frequency- How Often
2. Duration- How Much

Frequency

The frequency of your training is in part due to the duration of your training. If you're just getting started, shoot for more frequent workouts with shorter durations. 

However, you can also switch that up and do less frequent workouts with longer durations. You should work towards training around 12 to 13 hours per week. 

How you break that up will help determine your frequency. 

Duration

How long should an individual workout be? The key here is that it should shift.

If you're training 12 hours per week, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is just breaking that time up into six workouts that each last two hours. 

Break your time spent working out into shorter workouts for active recovery and longer workouts for building endurance. 

Plan a Training Diet

As you get into training, you'll be burning many calories; just during the event, participants burn on average 10,000 calories. It's important to fuel your body and stay hydrated in order to stay healthy. 

Your nutrition needs might be different than someone else's, though. So while this is a question you will want to talk to your doctor about, you might also consider visiting a nutritionist. 

They can help you set up a diet that works for you and fuels your body. In addition, consider downloading a food tracking app to track what you're eating and to help you adjust as needed. 

Consider Hiring a Sports Coach or Personal Trainer

There's a lot of work that goes into training for an Ironman event. Hiring a personal trainer or sports coach can help you get the expert plan and tips that you need. 

Learn the Phases of Training 

There are five phases of training you will go through as you prepare for the Ironman Triathalon. Each of these phases will help prepare you for the day of the event. 

The phases are: 

1. Acclimation
2. Baseline
3. Build
4. Peak
5. Taper 

Phase One: Acclimation

This phase focuses on getting your body ready for training. During this phase, you will begin getting acclimated to running, biking, swimming, and weight training. 

Phase Two: Base

The base phase is all about endurance. The goal during this phase is to build up your endurance in all three sports. 

Phase Three: Build

Once you've begun to build endurance during the base phase, it's time to increase. During the build phase, you will work on increasing the amount you're training and the distances you're going. 

Phase Four: Peak

Are you ready for race day? At this point, you should be able to safely hit the maximum mileage ahead of the full race. This phase is about making sure you're ready to hit the distance you'll need to go during the race. 

Phase Five: Taper

After months of training, your body will hopefully be ready; however, you want to make sure that you don't push right up to race day. The taper phase is about giving your body the ability to recover so that it's ready for race day. 

Get Help With Ironman Training

Next Ironman triathlon race will take place on 11-12 June. Are you ready to start training? There's a lot of preparation and work that goes into preparing for this intensive triathlon. 

Make sure you get the support you need from professionals that can give you an extra edge. Hire a sports coach and start your training plan today.