The insane complexity of an Iron Man

I'm tired from training for an Iron Man. But I'm not sure if that's because of the workouts or all the logistics around it!

In the beginning, I was thinking something along the lines of: I'm going to train really hard and consistently, and then we'll see on race day if I have it in me to finish and become an Iron Man (person). Currently, I'm much less concerned about my level of training or my expected finishing time. I think that with my current training intensity things will work out, one way (terribly slow) or another (not terribly slow).

What keeps me up at night is: how am I going to make it to the starting line with all the proper equipment and avoid the zillions of mistakes triathletes can make? There are so many rules and elements that it seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Like, I'll forget my helmet and get disqualified. Or I don't pay enough attention during the swim and get kicked in the face. Or I don't use body glide and have wetsuit burn all over my body.

An Iron Man is "serious"

When I first started training, I took my it pretty seriously. I bought an indoor bike trainer and followed my schedule religiously. But after a few weeks I realized the first months of training aren't really a big deal. After all, what's 45 minutes of swimming? Or two hours on a bike? Or an hour run? All the workouts were at a relaxed pace and frankly, as a runner, seemed easy.

So I stopped worrying about my training plan for a while. I still did most of the workouts, but I was less consistent and my training volume went down. Until I suddenly realized: the first race (the half Iron Man) is in two months! Where was I supposed to be in my schedule again? It's time for peak training!! Also: it's high time to buy even more gadgets like aerobars and non-fog goggles and, and...

There were so many things going through my mind (I need a nutrition plan! I need to practice transitions!) that I actually got worried. To make sure I didn't miss anything, I watched triathlon instruction videos on Youtube. What stood out to me was that, again, the training isn't really the problem. Sure, it's a lot of training, but it’s still talking mostly about relaxed rides, swims, and jogs. What makes or breaks an Iron Man is... planning!

Shell out that cash

One important planning step is allocating lots of cash to the effort. You don't want to show up with bad equipment on race day if you can avoid it. You need a fast bike with aerobars. You need a wetsuit that fits. You need a tri-suit that doesn't chafe. You also need sunglasses, powerful nutrition, a safe helmet, lubricant, bidons, a bike repair kit, and so on. Ideally, you also get training equipment like an indoor bike, or a gym membership, fins and buoys for swim drills, and several pairs of running shoes.

Build that plan and revise, revise, revise

Following a training plan is not as easy as it sounds. Life gets in the way. I'm constantly shuffling my long runs and rides around parties, trips, and other events that limit my time and mess with my sleep. I've given up part of my social life, but I'm not willing to give up everything. So I move trainings around and, as humans do, drop trainings I feel less excited about (that second or third weekly swim) only to feel guilty about it later.

I'm also going back and forth between two schedules because I can't decide what my level is or what my focus area is. I started on the intermediate plan and that would have still been fine if I hadn't gotten into the Berlin Marathon this September and just love running more than anything. I know I'm overcomplicating things by committing to multiple race events, but I also believe (because I still have my own thoughts and beliefs too!) that having my current level of fitness is a great opportunity to knock out a few events in the same period. Because why not? I'm not trying to win! So I’m leaning more towards the beginner training plan now, but with a double dose of running.

Further complicating matters is my desire to do cross-training and my belief (widely supported in this case) that working on strength and flexibility, and throwing in fun group sessions, complements the overall training. But where can I possibly find the time? I play paddle twice a week (down from thrice) on days I also get at least a run in, and sometimes a bit of weightlifting too. Swimming days are almost always combined with running or biking, or weight lifting. So I feel a little ragged after each training day because it's a lot. But I'm having fun too, so I don't want to take anything out at this point.

Travel logistics

Iron Man sells out quickly and, strangely, never takes place in cities I live..! That means committing to an event a year in advance and then having to plan my whole life around it, travel with sports equipment, finding a not-sold-out hotel near the event, making it in time to the expo and participating in pre-race events (such as the "practice swim"), and finding the starting line at 5 AM in the morning when it's still dark in a place I don't know.

I know few people who could even begin to imagine that this is fun. And to be honest, it's not a lot of fun if you can't share it with anyone. Thankfully I have very sweet friends who ask me how it's going all the time, but on race day I'll probably be alone. I’d feel selfish inviting a friend to travel somewhere with me, where we won't do any of the fun touristy stuff like walking around and going out, and then come watch me do an all-day race!

Nutrition

After running six marathons, and two ultra runs, I know this for sure: proper hydration and nutrition is the most important thing (aside from having something passable to wear, I suppose). Without it, you bonk/crash/cry and you're being very irresponsible all around. Nobody, no matter who you are, can do an intense workout for over three hours and still have energy without nourishment.

You need to eat and drink, and not just once or twice. More like every 20-30 minutes. The only problem is that eating and drinking is extremely uncomfortable when you're racing on a TT bike or slogging through a marathon after hours and hours of racing. And it’s damn near impossible if you don't practice it. The only solution is to calculate the (minimum) amount of what you need to take in during the race, meticulously select how and when you're going to take it all in (based on distance, aid stations, etc.), and really, really practice it in advance. So many athletes, myself included, struggle with consuming enough (salted) water and glycogen (carbs) during a race without getting nauseous or getting cramps. 

I'm feeling like a nerd when I figure out my food plan, but it's necessary. It's literally what's going to allow me to do a race like this. I also need to get smarter on pre-race carb loading. Apparently, it doesn't really matter what you eat on race day as much as what you eat the 48 hours in advance. I only just found that out. 

Believe it!

Of course, I believe (I have so many beliefs about this!) that failing in any of these areas doesn't mean you can't complete an Iron Man. If something breaks, or you eat a bunch of junk food, or your bike is not perfectly fitted... you can definitely still do well as long as you are resilient. My point is: I think that if I do everything well, or almost everything at least, I'm going to be OK! And that's a huge realization. I'm planning for success. I'm not going to question my athletic abilities too much.

And when I really, really get worried about not being in perfect shape, I read this article: Grandma Learns To Swim At 59 And Wins Ironman

The body has incredible power. You just have to believe (!!) in it.