220Triathlon

26/10/2009 at 14:18

Hi there

I did my first IM this year, IM Canada and i am also intending to do IM Switzerland same as you next year.

My advice is definitely do a half 6 weeks or so beforehand. I did Rapperswil this year, which was amazing and really set me up for the full distance in Canada. I am doing it again this year as it's exactly 6 weeks before IM Switzerland.

Do tons of bike training, it will take up most of your day believe me and it's the toughest part of the race by far.

Have a back up nutrition plan, even if you've practised it lots before, something can go wrong on the day and you might easily find you are unable to force down the stuff you've been training with. Try and have some different types of food available in your special needs, you will probably require a different taste in your mouth by mile 80 of the bike leg. Eat as much as you feel able to on the bike, it would serve you in good stead for the run when it's much harder to follow a nutrition plan other than drinking what you can stomach.

Don't let the mass swim panic you. IMC had over 2600 starters this year and i was nearly overwhelmed with fear on the start line then the gun went off and before i knew it i was doing what i'd trained for - swimming!

Have some ibruprofen on you on the bike and on the run. I had been suffering with quite a serious knee injury all season and when i got off the bike i could barely stand up having not bothered to bring any with me on the bike. Running is my stength and i thought, well that's it then, my race is over. However, i iced my knee, took some pain killers and hobbled for a mile then they started to work and i ran the entire marathon without too much fuss. Taking my back up supply of painkillers from my special needs back at the turn around point. Total life saver.

You'll have a blast, IM distance is the most fun and i'm totally addicted now.

Harriet. see conversation

19/12/2008 at 21:13

Hmm sounds to me more like Patella Tendinitis. I've got it myself, had it now for nearly 4 months and despite physio, resting, icing etc etc it's still rather painful and massively interferring with my Ironman base training, Get to an Orthopeadic Surgeon and see what they say and see a physio too.

Good luck! see conversation

19/12/2008 at 01:30

I'm doing:

Eton Sprints - 16th May
70.3 Zurich - 7th June
London Olympic - 2 Aug
Ironman Canada - 30 Aug
NY Marathon - November

Super excited! see conversation

08/12/2008 at 21:53

Did Blenheim this year as my first triathlon, it was a great event. Well organised, lovely course and totally recommended. Go for it! see conversation

08/12/2008 at 21:53

Don Finks is great i've got that too and completely agree. Also, i've signed up to Mark Allen online and it's brilliant. Great tailored maintenance and full training programmes and excellent on tap support when you need it. see conversation

27/11/2008 at 21:43

Got my first ironman next August in Canada. I'm a confident enough swimmer but am wondering about what sort of wetsuit to upgrade to. Should i be looking for something less flexible with more buoyancy for that distance? The one i use for Olys has good flexibility but is less buoyant. Confused....!

H see conversation

08/09/2008 at 21:26

Afternoon all

Just wondered if anyone who's read this book has an electronic copy of the annual training programme they could mail me? I'm sure i saw a thread on this site a while back when i first got the book but i'm only about to action my annual plan now and can't find the link!

Thanks very much

H see conversation

26/08/2008 at 22:36

Just signed up.... anyone else doing it? Also, if anyone's already done it, do they have any advice please? This will be my first half IM, could really do with some tips/info about the course.

Cheers, H see conversation

13/08/2008 at 00:10

Yay! The video's are up! Will check people out...

I'm 6029, you can't see me until the last minute though cos of some bloke in front! see conversation

12/08/2008 at 20:16

Yowsers! Just submitted the pre-entry (thanks for the link). Just how tough is the UK course? I've heard some pretty scary things about it.... see conversation