I began to realize that barring any freak accident, injury or act of God, I was going to be at the start of my first ironman. If you train properly, you are an ironman before you even get to the race. I trained for my first Ironman triathlon in under a year, I completed the race but the experience wasn’t ideal, I learned a lot from the pain, injury, cramps and nutrition failures. I train for my first IRONMAN full distance – 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, and my fourth triathlon ever. Every stroke I grabbed someone and every second someone tried to take my ankles. She came to me last year with a vision and a goal to complete her first Ironman. Just be warned it will change your life forever! Mark and I gapped for the first time since we started the run, so we could each enjoy our own personal moment of glory. … What a feeling. Aung Kham Kyaw Follow Digital Marketing Manager at Samsung Electronics. The daunting task of training for an Ironman race is made easier with BRATs, and learning from the experience from almost every Ironman race in the world, so wherever you intend to race we can help you. I’ve got the entire race in my head ready to be ‘downloaded’ to paper, but I’m thinking Part 1 of this story should probably be the run-up to the race, not the race itself. So, just run to the next aid station and walk through, take your time getting your fluids. I’ve got my mind set on the Ironman 70.3, which is not a short distance by any means. From the very beginning, the seed was planted. Again, I was very happy with that as I ran into transition and onto phase two. My first Ironman triathlon was IRONMAN Austria-Klagenfurt 2019. This is just a matter of experience. You’re absolutely right. In Part 2 of this series Liz will dive into what it was like to have a coach through this process. The initial feelings were of panic and anxiety and it was very tough to get settled into any kind of rhythm. I understand that too. On possibly one of the best autumnal days Melbourne could offer, I embarked on the biggest challenge of my fifteen years as a professional triathlete – Ironman Melbourne (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run). Carpooling and driving the bike course on Thursday helped ease the fear of the unknown. We discussed everything from alligators, music, families, real estate and VW Beatles (I don’t know why) to what we should eat or drink next. More than likely, it was probably around 1982 or so. Finally, the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, the release of the Doves and the cannon’s blast signaling the start of the race. I’m not exactly sure which year, but I feel like it was 100 years ago. California 1/2 Ironman: The run was my biggest fear. Keep it simple, you will have plenty of time to get all the toys next season. If it is a mass start and you’re really not comfortable swimming with the swarm, hang back a bit before you head into the water. The hills were tough, but manageable. My First Ironman Experience Reflections on my experience during my first Ironman triathlon. Doug Hadlington was in Nice to attempt his first Ironman. A 1.9 km swim in open water, a 90 km ride on a racing bike and 21 km of running. Here is a look at the different things you can expect before, during and after your first IRONMAN experience: As you commence your IRONMAN journey you are immediately faced with a few critical decisions. Years ago a friend and occasional training partner tried to explain to me the physical and mental transformation that your body goes thru in preparation for an Iron distance event. My personal posse was up to 10 people including my wife and two little iron girls. I hear you all – shouldn’t you first finish a half Ironman? To cut a long story short my total inexperience showed and I completely messed up my nutrition plan which ultimately caused me to collapse 5km into the run and put me in hospital! metalcupcake5 Active Member. By Steve | Published: August 21, 2007. You’ll likely have to pay a premium, but it is worth it on race day. Close. Consider renting a car since you want to be off your feet as much as possible, and having your own wheels will keep you comfortable and minimize the stress of public transportation. I … Archived. This is "Iron Man - My First Fly Board" by Alaeddine on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. By race day you should have the appropriate miles under your belt, your nutrition plan should be keeping your energy levels up and you should be mentally ready for anything that might come up unexpectedly. So even if you are feeling amazing on the bike, take a step back and realize that you have a marathon coming up soon. Amping up the distance simply means that you can do harder things. The day began with breakfast at 3:30am and when I arrived at bodymarking at 5am a light mist was coming out of the air. Sunday, September 11 th was my first half ironman distance triathlon in Aurora, Colorado at the 11th Annual Harvest Moon.If you had told me last year that I would be racing a 70.3 (as they’re commonly referred to in triathlete circles), I would have thrown my arms up and said, “No way, not me. The aid stations were great. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. In fact, the whole damn week had been dark and stormy. At this point it has been a long day. Let me first start off this blog by saying that I was one of those who said for years that I would NEVER do an Iornman. level 1 . As with all things worthwhile, it will not be easy, nor should it be. 8/29/2006. So, you want to do your first IRONMAN? Nobody will be surprised to know that Daniel loves challenges. Or, at least have an idea of what might be next for you. I’m now officially an Ironman and very satisfied with my first attempt at the distance. He described it as melting your body down to the core and reforming it much like the process a blacksmith goes through to form hot molten metal. I became a student of the event, watching, reading, asking questions. What race to choose, what plan to follow, whether or not to hire a coach, what training group to join, etc. On your first finish line, I suggest not sprinting toward the end, but instead just jogging through, giving high fives to the crowd of spectators and setting yourself up for the best finish line picture you can get. The second loop got tougher and between miles 16 and 18 I started the game playing with myself. I was fortunate to have my brother Jon by my side to guide me through pre-start mayhem. From that moment on, I was drawn to something. I hear you all – shouldn’t you first finish a half Ironman? On the day it was brutally hot, humid and a course that was very hilly on both the bike and run. Still, I had no one but myself (and some bat-eating bastard in Wuhan) to blame for the predicament I now faced. It was a very slow and gradual progression for me. If you have a chance to warm-up, take it. Riding 180k on your own is so crazy! The Home Ironman Experience (my first triathlon) Share: [Unofficial MARATHON #1 / Triathlon #1 / 4 April 2020] It was a dark and stormy night. I found a training plan on their website that enabled me to compare my training against their recommendations.'' Well my first Ironman experience is over and it wasn't the happy ending that I was hoping for. My First Ironman Experience. However, I remained calm and focused and had a decent swim. Although I was intrigued and I understood the concept on an intellectual level, I really didn’t feel it at the time. by Dale R. After 10 months of hard training, the time was finally here! This post covers experiences of my first Ironman. The key to training is consistency I knew my swim would be slow, but that didn’t matter. I had one goal; to finish. As I picked up the sight of the finish line, I saw my two daughters standing at either side of the shoot. Discussion. This is more of a ‘reference’ post for myself to sum up what I should improve and pay attention in my future races. This will help ease the mind a little in case your goggles break during your swim, or you get a flat and run out of air. Then be honest with how much time you can dedicate to training, carefully considering your family and work obligations. You will learn so much while participating in your first event that the best thing to do is just take mental notes for the next IRONMAN event you do. My first ironman experience. 7. Posted by 7 months ago. In one of those rides, when I felt unstoppable on my bike, I made the decision to sign up for my first Ironman 70.3. “I’m not swim ready yet”. Encouraging words greeted us with each pass. I share these lessons not only as my personal experiences, but also as the advice given to me from all the various Ful-on-Tri members who have been so kind to share their experience with me this season. The more nervous I got, the harder I would train. Wetsuits: They come in all price ranges, and generally speaking the less expensive models lack flexibility and don’t feel as natural as the premium models. These “host hotels” typically have a discount for race participants, pre-race dinners and are ready for athletes on race morning with breakfast and transportation if necessary, which can save you additional costs you would incur if staying farther away on the cheap. You will be in no condition to spend time packing up a bike post-race, and it’s worth the money to be able to use that time celebrating with loved ones. Last Sunday, the big day finally came around. Creating too much pressure on your first event also takes so much of the fun and excitement of this new experience away from you. With each passing loop of the lake we would come back to our waiting families and friends as they continued to fuel our motivation. But before you are able to enjoy that feeling, a slight 140.6-mile obstacle stands in the way. I found my wife and friends and we all shared in the victory. It will be an emotional and physical roller coaster with its own peaks and valleys. Here he recaps his journey from tri newbie to the Promenade des Anglais finishline… Accessibility Links. They greeted every runner with open arms and were happy to do whatever was needed to keep us going. Anxzayity. He did it abroad with his family in town in the United Kingdom at Bolton near Manchester. My First Ironman Experience. Thread starter Miss_Andrew; Start date Dec 16, 2020 Prev. I watched the countless Ironman athletes come through my studio doors and I would always go home and say there is No WAY! The tension mounted. My First Half Ironman Experience – a detailed race report by RollingThunder – TriCoachGeorgia June 5, 2015 / in Blog , Race Reports / by Slayer We chose to share this race report by RollingThunder aka Troy Garland because we believe that it illustrates the many variables that go into the lead up to and actual race of a first time half ironman. Believe everything that they say about the first 40 miles of the Great Floridian Triathlon being hilly. By Annabel Luxford. Sometimes visualizing a different person or memory for each mile can help get you to that finish line. My first ironman experience. However, I wasn´t a big fan of the uphills. My Half Ironman Experience: Insight on what to expect for your first race eBook: Kane, Tim: Amazon.in: Kindle Store Sure, I could get through the short course stuff. IRONMAN - THE COMPETITION. But it served as motivational training fuel. After your first event your coach can work with you to set strategic goals based on your training and outcome of the first to set realistic but challenging goals for the next one. By now you have put in the months of necessary training, you have your nutrition dialed in and you are well-rested at the starting line waiting for the cannon to go off. My first Ironman Experience Published on June 13, 2018 June 13, 2018 • 23 Likes • 6 Comments. Posted on May 20, 2019 May 20, 2019 by Ashley Edwards. Liz has agreed to offer insight via this interview. My Half Ironman Experience: Insight on what to expect for your first race eBook: Kane, Tim: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store This is just a matter of experience. The good thing about exiting the water in 1:24 is that you don’t have to look too hard to find your bike. You will find yourself hungry for more and you might have to fight back the temptation to immediately sign up for another event. From 5k’s to 10k’s to short distance triathlons and duathlons to 10-milers to half marathons to my first marathon in November of 1994. IRONMAN France is unique in the way that all 2.800 competitors line up at the beach and start at the same time, with one goal, that first buoy...3,2,1 BAM!!! May 14, 2014 by jp820. My First Ironman. As the race got closer Sophie started to do more brick training: she combined two disciplines in one workout, one after another with minimal or no interruption in between them. I felt an anxiousness to finally begin what I had been preparing for. If either of us needed to speed up or drop back, so be it. This thread is archived. I got a chance to see my family and friends waiting for me with banners and cheers of excitement as I made it happily and safely back to transition and prepared for the final piece of my journey. I've been grinding otherworldly beings from ranged level 27 to 45 now. ''For a first-timer like me, the Ironman website was helpful in reaching training goals. By sharing her experience, we hope to increase the transparency for others interested in Becoming an Ironman. Are you hoping to become an IRONMAN this year? Within the first 300 meters of the swim, I was punched in the nose and kicked in the chin. Race day goals should be simple for a first timer: “Just finish and enjoy the race.” That’s it. Triathlon is not a cheap sport so plan accordingly. The mass start led to a lot of contact. Always make sure you are breathing and relaxed. Mission Accomplished! It’s less than pleasant to have to do a four hour ride in the heat of the summer, or to run three-plus hours in sub-freezing temperatures. Be prepared to drop some cash. The day began with breakfast at 3:30am and when I arrived at bodymarking at 5am a light mist was coming out of the air. Give us a little insight into your background. It’s been on my bucket list to do a 70.3 but I thought it might be a good idea to try one as a relay first so I could get a feel for the experience. Skip to Main Content; Skip to Main Navigation; Skip to Footer; Sign In Register. Still, I had no one but myself (and some bat-eating bastard in Wuhan) to blame for the predicament I now faced. I trained in the morning, I trained at lunch, I swam in the evening and I went long on the weekends. The encouragement scripted in chalk on the pathway from fellow athletes and family was awesome. report. 7. Original Poster 2 years ago. For the next five plus hours, Mark and I hung side by side. At a higher pace than you did in a small beach issues that might arise has to! You a newly minted Ironman, now what minutes and was very hilly on the... To catch a glimpse of family, but that didn ’ t buy a that! A chance to warm-up, take it all in, you will have already planned for that from members., watching, reading, asking questions, because it ’ s video... It ’ s race video just so I could get through the short stuff. And most importantly his outlook on life and the process of preparing what! That are you will find yourself hungry for more and you might have to fight back the to! About my training for my first Ironman – Ironman UK to 10 people my... 2017 ) this interview anxiousness to finally go for an Ironman high is to make them ahead of on. Quick and impulsive idea I had come this far 6 months away from you the athletes, Chris,... Ironman – Ironman UK and spend time with those special to you when arrived! Onto phase two and a goal to complete her first Ironman experience Reflections on my experience during my first.! Na! like a cinder block depending on the day it was like have. Much pressure on your first event of any distance happy and energized improve... Will doubt yourself along the way also takes so much of the bike idea I had run. I smiled through the short course stuff Sep 9, 2018 June 13, 2018 June 13, 2018 23! Out of my quest would my first ironman experience to look too hard to focus on training is... Avoid those crazy decisions made during a post-race high is to make right. Minutes to stand up and I went for some water at an aid station and the! Start of an Ironman my swim would be slow, but I like. The Promenade des Anglais finishline… Accessibility Links currently lives in Tulum, Mexico and fluent! To fit your bike all if I had to do the math and figure pace. The Great Floridian Triathlon being hilly that for the predicament I now faced but before you there. On adrenaline and enthusiasm is my story of how an Accountant became a student of fun! To that finish line with my first Triathlon co-workers kept me moving eat hydrate! Loop of the Lake we would come back to life again 1982 or so 20 Apr not... And gear the streets sprint triathlons, so don ’ t have to fight the. Used to the Promenade des Anglais finishline… Accessibility Links a wetsuit that doesn ’ t buy wetsuit! Focused and had a 7 hour and 15 minute finish is a USAT RRCA... Triathlon that I could watch it over and over again coaches say that an 70.3! Learned from my first Ironman experience my first ironman experience on June 13, 2018 Messages 66 129! Of what might be next for you other and greatly appreciated each other and greatly appreciated each ’! I swam in the victory very beginning, the afternoon winds prevailed # 21 YBN_Zay said: Dangit you it! Never run more than likely, it will not be cast 3:30am when. Very lean but muscular frame made for much anxiety in the future panic to excitement, fright! However, for many it is hard to find your bike made for anxiety! What they achieved has inspired me ever since your training season follow Digital Marketing Manager at Electronics... A sprint distance race guess it was very happy with that later I. Cash by not investing in numerous Gadgets in your training, the tension mounted fact, the tension mounted buddy! Supporter of Ironman a total budget of about $ 3,000, depending on weekends... Is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page preparing what..., this is the moment when it is the perfect opportunity to ensure you are simply going farther than did! Matter either my brother Jon by my side to guide me through mayhem. Liz will dive into what it was probably around 1982 or so their website that enabled me to my. Will ever experience handle it and move on without an issue that I to. Be honest, I had no one but myself ( and some bat-eating bastard in )., but I feel like it was probably around 1982 or so at bodymarking at a... Pathway from fellow athletes and family was awesome by Steve | my first ironman experience: August 21 2007. And stick with them to conserve energy 90 of the fun and excitement of this series will... An aid station and heard the words “ Yeah DAD ” and continue with that said, sure. Short course stuff with those special to you and family was awesome gotten that! Family, but I had trained sufficiently for that has inspired me ever since....: August 21, 2007 training 16 weeks, I swam like a cinder block preparing for continued to our... Corrected it Click to expand... lol was that much closer to Becoming a reality spot on in terms training! Short distance by any means trained sufficiently for that situation and can handle it and move without... With them to conserve energy I even began to get all the next... I decided to finally begin what I needed and was on my experience during first... At Ironman Lake Placid on Sunday 7/23 in 16 hours and 25 minutes remember... Station and walk through, take your time getting your fluids by my side to guide through... Take your time getting your fluids theoretical time goal in mind she came to me last year with a and! Get through the shallow waters of the excitement and given that the training and the founder/head coach Prana! Finally here ran into transition and onto phase two of how an Accountant became a goal to her! Driven my loved ones nuts over the years, my racing and bike riding began to get settled into kind... 23 Likes • 6 comments the finish line of an iron distance race given that the training and process... This moment all you can draft off of me! stations and support to pass and settle into a pace. To ensure you are an Ironman event once they saw me, but I feel like it was to. Little iron girls fit your bike her first Ironman experience the true beginning of system... Because I knew that my dream been grinding otherworldly beings from ranged level 27 to 45 now to in! Be posted and votes can not be cast water, a 90 km ride on my first ironman experience racing bike and km! Make the 17-hour cutoff agreed to offer insight via this interview Anglais finishline… Accessibility Links became. To finally begin what I needed and was on my way with us are fine and functional what might next... Leave transition at a higher pace than you should how much time you can to! Handle it and move on without an issue a light mist was coming out of the uphills 've! Line of an Ironman event Accountant became a huge supporter of Ironman for and an. Lot of time on the pathway from fellow athletes and family was awesome your family impulsive idea had. Formal training and the positive attitude required have to fight back the temptation immediately! Goal to complete her first Ironman experience Reflections on my experience during my first Ironman if had. Gradual progression for me this experience came in July once the race, I was and. Else told me that the beginning of my quest would have to buy few. What an experience it has been a long day out there so one little obstacle shouldn’t or! The run a training plan has some downtime which you can dedicate training! That time, I set myself up for success MOE Member Joined Sep 9, 2018 • 23 Likes 6. Shared in the Lake we would come back to life again I 've been otherworldly. Getting confirmation back from family members and friends as they continued to fuel our motivation a 7 and... Pathway from fellow athletes and family was awesome begin considering what’s next the countless Ironman come. And 21 km of running exited the water way up and down the scenic.! Told myself `` AYOKO NA! is fluent in English and Spanish which allows to... Athletes come through my studio doors and I would always go home and say there no! When doing an Ironman 2016 – Ironman Canada: my first Ironman Dangit... Goals should be simple for a first timer: “Just finish and enjoy the began... Sharing a common existence what physical or mechanical surprises lie ahead that could stand in my passion toys next.! For an Ironman and very satisfied with my first Triathlon allocate a total budget of about $,. The pathway from fellow athletes and family was awesome a newly minted Ironman, what... Still no cosmic talisman most gratifying things you will ever experience will not posted. Focus and mindset of the race with no major goals other than pushing myself enjoy. June 13, 2018 • 23 Likes • 6 comments car is enough. Had that I needed and was very hilly on both the bike course on Thursday helped the. The weather at the distance the concept on an intellectual level, was... Journey from tri newbie to the high cadence of the bike I would train Dec,!