Ironman - Meet the Virgins

The day cometh

Triathlon can be all consuming, such is the breadth of training required, the endless scope for improvement across all (yes) four disciplines and the information overload brought about by the Internet. Enter an Ironman and the anxiety multiplies. This time last year, I myself was in preparation for my first Ironman event, after devoting a couple of years to become a 'proper' swimmer and to reacquaint with the bicycle. If I had known then, what I know now I would have been a little less stressed about the impending challenge of 140.6 miles. Additionally, if I had heard from others similarly taking on their first Ironman, this too may have helped chill the fear.

So I thought, why don't I gather up a handful of first-timers and ask them all the same questions on the why's and what's of how they came to enter and hope to tackle their debut Ironman race.

Over to y'all.

Name: Sioned Hancock

Age: 31

Hometown: Tycroes

Race entered: Ironman Wales

Why Ironman? 

I’ve done many marathons and a sportive but never combined the disciplines at this distance and as I have been to watch Ironman Wales and thoroughly enjoyed it as a spectator.

How are you feeling about the race? 

I feel that the swim is very achievable but I need to get plenty of open water practice. The bike cut off time worries me because of the type of course. The run worries me only because it follows the cycle and I’m afraid of my joints aching, particularly my hips and not leaving myself enough time because of the bike.

Typical training week? 

2 hour swim, 5 hour bike, 4 hour run.

Race history/Accomplishments to date? 

Multiple London Marathon finishes, Carten, Everest Base Camp, Welsh three peaks.

Strongest and weakest disciplines? 

Swim is definitely my strongest and the bike is definitely my weakest.

Biggest fear? 

The weather being so bad that they cancel the event or not completing it.

Favourite piece of kit? 

Still collecting it all but my new Brookes running trainers are comfortable and my new Zoggs Predator Flex goggles have been great to date (I don't have swish gear, it’s an expensive sport!)

What one question would you like advice on? 

I need an effective bike gear changing masterclass.

Any top tips you feel you could pass on? 

I have ‘enjoyed’ training for time as opposed to distance.

Race prediction? 

Swim: 1 hour 15, Bike: 9 hours 15, Run: 6 hours, Overall: 16 hours 30

Name: Gary Schroeder 

Age: 36

Hometown: London

Race entered: Ironman UK

Why Ironman?   

In 2013 my youngest sister died suddenly and it affected my life in many ways. One was a whole change in lifestyle and although I had been cycling for a couple of years I'd never really competed in any sports since school. I wanted to set myself a challenge to raise money for a charity in memory of my sister but I knew it had to include more than just cycling. The Spring of 2014 my brother-in-law completed the London Sprint Triathlon in Hyde Park and I just kept thinking that I wanted to give it a try. I entered my first race two months later which was an Olympic-distance and didn't fair too badly although coming dead last in the swim after doggy paddling, stopping completely and some backstroke I finished fifth overall. I'd heard about Ironman and knew what the distances were, which seemed impossible for me to even think about, but it wasn't until my best mate proclaimed "you'll never do an Ironman" did I decide to commit to it and signed up the next day!

How are you feeling about the race?

I haven't started panicking yet and have managed a long period of base training so I'm feeling fairly confident my fitness will get me through. If I think what the actual race day might be like and what could go wrong, I worry about the swim and not being as fast as I'd like or getting my nutrition wrong and suffering way too much on the marathon. 

Typical training week? 

Ten weeks out from race day now I'm soon entering a Peak Phase where distance and intensity are going up so I'm on 10km of swimming, 9-10 hours of cycling (about 250 miles) and at least 6 hours of running (35 miles a week minimum). After the long sessions I factor in rest time for the rest of that day and next day if I can. 

Race history/Accomplishments to date?

Hardly any! One marathon in 3:59 five months ago where I had to walk three out of the last six miles as I hadn't properly trained for, and one Olympic-distance duathlon at Windsor three months ago finishing fourth overall. 

Strongest and weakest disciplines?

Strongest is the bike due to being so skinny and the weakest is the swim...due to being so skinny.

Biggest fear? 

Not finishing the race. I can't contemplate that happening though. I'd crawl the marathon if it came to it.

Favourite piece of kit?

  

It has to be my bike. A Felt B12 with Sram Red groupset and HED carbon wheels. Every time I go out on it I just can't believe how much faster it is than my road bike, which is worth twice as much. 

A second favourite, if I may, is my Garmin 910xt watch. Every training session I do I have it on.

What one question would you like advice on?

How I can run an Ironman marathon in 3:30.

Any top tips you feel you could pass on?

It has to be see your rest days and nutrition as much as an important part of your training as the training itself. I read Matt Dixon's The Well Built Triathlete and can notice another level of fitness I've managed to get to by applying certain principles that he teaches.

Race prediction?

God it's tricky being my first one. (Very) roughly: 

Swim: 1:15, Bike: 6:00 Run: 4:15 (though I'd love a sub-4!), Overall: 11-12 hours 

Any other comments?

If anyone's thinking of doing an Ironman, don't think about it. Just sign up to one. But make sure you're single or have the most supportive girlfriend ever! Same for all the training sessions. Not wanting to go or skiping one doesn't come into it. I've not wanted to get out of bed for all of them but I've never completed a training session thinking "shit I wish I hadn't done that". Which is a big change from what life was like a few years back!

Name: Gayle Lister

Age: 39

Hometown: Pembroke

Race entered: Ironman Wales

Why Ironman?

I have been thinking about entering for the past few years, ever since Ironman came to Tenby. I always had 2015 in mind as I turn 40 in July. I wanted to prove to myself that I am tough enough to get through it.

How are you feeling about the race?

It depends when you ask me! Some days I can't wait and I feel incredibly positive and I am looking forward to the day. Other days I wake in a cold sweat wondering what the hell I have done and how on earth I'll ever be ready!

Typical training week?

3 x hour long swimming sessions, varying between 2-3km at the moment, 2 x turbo sessions (1 of these is a brick session with a run straight after) 1 x short bike session (1-2 hours), 1 x long bike ride (2-4 hours), 2-3 runs of varying length, up to an hour and a half to 2 hours running. I am following the Don Fink Intermediate programme.

Race history/Accomplishments to date?

None. This is my first triathlon! I have been a competitive swimmer in the past, a mountain biker and was in the women's senior squad for rowing at Nottingham University. Since having children I have worked on cardio and strength sessions, namely kettle bells and BodyPump.

Strongest and weakest disciplines?

Swimming is my strongest, running my weakest.

Biggest fear? 

That I don't make the bike cut-off.

Favourite piece of kit?

My beautiful Bianchi bike

What one question would you like advice on?

How to relax on the hills enough to make it up them without killing myself, but fast enough that I don't lose too much momentum overall. Hills are my nemesis.

Any top tips you feel you could pass on?

Ha ha ha ha!!! Just keep training, some days will be harder than others but if you put the hours in and believe in yourself, you'll get through it. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

Race prediction?

No, I just want to get through the day in one piece and enjoy it. I'll be very happy to finish in under 15 hours, but I'll also be happy just to finish, whatever time that might take.

Any other comments?

Many people look at me aghast and in surprise when I tell them that I am  doing Ironman. I can tell that some people think I won't be able to do it, whilst some are genuinely impressed at the challenge I have taken on. Most seem glad it isn't them! I am truly and honestly doing this for me, to prove to myself that I can, and to be a good role model to my children, to show them that you can accomplish anything you want if you work hard at it.

Name: Gary Mitchell

Age: 40

Hometown: Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Race entered: Ironman Wales 

Go on, tell us what happened...

To tell you I was gutted would be an understatement, especially when the marshal on a motorbike eventually comes around and un pins your bib number and says "your day’s over boyo". I didn't drink or party for nine months even missing my own 40th birthday celebrations to keep on track. I trained hard and long and felt fab on the day and throughout the race.

The sea was horrendously choppy and the swell was constantly pushing us back to the shore and into hundreds of other swimmers swimming over each other, feet and fists everywhere. No matter how hard I was fighting it was tough to make progress. On top of that around 100 people had to be rescued by the RNLI. Constantly trying to avoid jet skis and small oil slicks from the static boats was another hazard I had to deal with.

Out on the bike, it was just so disappointing. I know I had much more to give on the day. Felt really strong and had a fiery determination like never before and it's just so frustrating at 82 miles into the bike that she decided to break. Rear hanger snapped off and rear mech dropped. Eventually I was picked up in the sweep van joining those who obviously just thought they could turn up on the day and get through it. Clearly that’s when ambition overrides ability.

Anyway with my pride dented and still licking my wounds I signed up for 2015 hopefully to complete a bucket list challenge of mine.

Why Ironman?

It's the original. There's only ever been one Coca-Cola. Lots of other colas are available though.

How are you feeling about the race?

Apprehensive.

Typical training week?

10 hours a week, well below last year’s 20 at this stage. Various sets and drills.

Race history/Accomplishments to date?

Nada, one marathon recently in 3:51 on an injury. Suspected torn patella tendon or miniscus damage.

Strongest and weakest disciplines?

A love of all three equally.

Biggest fear?

Another DNF out of my control or a serious injury sustained on the day.

Favourite piece of kit?

Garmin 910xt.

What one question would you like advice on?

How to recover from injury and build up to IMW.

Any top tips you feel you could pass on?

Do not underestimate it because you feel you have a good base level of fitness. This ain't no Tough Mudder.

Race prediction?

Hopefully sub-14.

It's my hope to follow up with them all after their events, hopefully reveling in victory, to see how in reality the day unfolded. Do you share their fears or have wise advice to offer? Feel free to add a comment below.

May I wish you all the very best, and a safe race. My advice? Hmm, don't get too bogged down in the detail, deep breaths for the swim and keep your concentration till T2. You can crawl home from there.

'The Crawl'

Photo credit: triathlete-europe.competitor.com