Getting to the Start Line (Part 1 – Before the Plan)

As I stated in a previous article that the first goal, for any long distance athlete (in my opinion), needs to be: .

TO GET TO THE START LINE

When you think about it the pace that an Ironman or other popular long distance event sells out, you are entering a race a year before it is due to take place. There is a lot that can happen to an athlete in a year: -

• Illness
• Personal Circumstances
• Injury
• Levels of Motivation
• Priority Changes 

To name a few.

Some things, as an athlete, we have no control over. So we need to look to manage those aspects that we can have influence over.

PROBLEM 1: TOO MUCH TOO SOON

As I have said a year is a long time out. It can be quite often the case that full of excitement over entering a race that we go out there and train every minute we can, beasting every session like we are Rocky. This is not going to help you achieve that first goal of getting to the start line. Far from it.

In short you are on a fast road to, injury, illness, burn out, and motivation crash.

Step back and take things easy. Spend some time exercising and cross training, preparing your body to train in earnest for the event. Most Ironman training programs are 16 to 20 weeks … not 52. Spend the time before you start your 16/20 week programme getting your body into a position where you can follow the programme without it killing you. (Though don’t get me wrong. Any Ironman programme is going to be hard work). 

A side note to maintaining motivation during this period of your year is; to do things you enjoy for some of the time. … But also spend time swimming, running, cycling and strength training, after all that’s what it’s about. 

PROBLEM 2: NOT PREPARING TO TRAIN PROPERLY

For some people 'too much too soon' is as far from their world as it can be. They are the total opposite; and they feel that they will be OK starting a plan 16 weeks out and that will sort it.

No way Jose (as the saying goes)

If you read a few programmes like those offered on sites such as beginnertriathlete.com (or similar) you will see that they recommend that you should be at a point where you are comfortably averaging 10hrs or so of training before you start the programme – What I feel I need to emphasis here is that it is COMFORTABLY AVERAGING not peeking …. So aim to get yourself to the point where 10hrs(ish) is the norm not a high.

PROBLEM 3: NOT TAKING TIME TO RECOVER

Also in your quest to make it to the start line – make sure you take time to recover.

Pushing yourself hard all the time is another short road to doom and disperse. Your body needs time to recover and adapt – to get better – to become stronger. Give it that time. For some that may mean 1 easy week in every 4 (or even 3.) for others ensuring they have 1 or 2 complete rest days each week. Whatever you need take it. You will become a strong Triathlete for it. 

Good luck ... and SEE YOU AT THE START LINE ...

Will