Planning your Iron Distance Race Season
By Sally Drake
An athlete asked me the other day what he could be doing right now, this year to make sure he was ready to do an Iron distance triathlon next year. As a coach, this question makes me happy. There are skills
IRONMAN PREPARATION
By Sally Drake
Preparing for an Iron distance triathlon will take an athlete 6-12 months, depending upon several factors. Plan carefully for a successful and enjoyable training season and event. A few ideas below.
Respect the distance
In the past few years, the Ironman craze has grown immensely. Some new to triathlon will begin to plan for their first half or full iron-distance race. This is a bit extreme. The demand that the training and the race put on the human body is immense, and should follow solid experience in shorter distance races. Also, a nice long-term training plan would include a half marathon and a full marathon, along with a century bike ride before considering signing up iron or half iron.
![Rob H IM_enter_ta2[1].jpg](http://www.sbrstl.com/uploads/Rob%20H%20IM_enter_ta2[1].jpg)
Build a Strong and Stable Base
The key to the completion of an endurance event is a carefully built aerobic base, a strong core and strength in flexibility. A triathlete should train at easy paces, building up the volume over time. This easy pace is heart rate zones 1-2. Most uneducated athletes or fitness crazies train in zones 3-4 all of the time, neglecting the zones where very important changes happen. In zones 1-2 the body learns to use fat as fuel, increasing efficiency and improving endurance.
Sally Drake
USAT Level II Certified Coach
sdrake@trainingbible.com
www.sallydrake.com