In Which I… Oh Dear.
What: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run.
Where: Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote
When: May 2015
Why: I’m wondering that myself…
In the 18 months since I started running, I’ve completed 7 x 10k runs, one 1/2 marathon and 2 full 26.2 mile marathons. I don’t think that that’s too bad for someone who struggled to run to the end of the road a year and a half back!
Not to take anything away from marathons (or any other distance for that matter!) but I’ve done a couple now and wanted to go bigger and go further (literally, it seems) so I decided it was officially time to get another challenge under way.
Ironman.
An Ironman triathlon has been in the back of my mind since I first saw Ironman Tony and Rob finish Ironman Lanzarote in 2012 (which inspired me to take up running in the first place), and I think it’ll be chuffing impressive to finish the same race, especially within 3 years of starting running!
Entry to 2015 doesn’t open until the day after the 2014 event, so I won’t be officially entered til then, which is why I’m on The Road To The Road To Ironman.
Before I enter the race I need to improve all 3 disciplines, running swimming and biking, and have been looking into targets to reach by next May to prove to myself that I have the dedication needed. That’ll then give me 12 months to get proper race fit. (Unless I give up. Or like, die from exhaustion.)
I’ve not finalised my targets yet, but will have them up in a week or so. (Any suggestions welcome!)
Also, Ironman Tony says he’ll help with my training so that’s a start!
Both Nigel and Four Burgers Rob are entering 2015 too, and as far as I know so is Martyn. Plenty of us to keep the motivation going!
Recovering from flu at the minute so not done any training for a week or so (not the best start…) so spending my time reading any and all training/nutrition plans. So far, so inspired!
As always, all advice and/or constructive abuse is welcomed either on here, Twitter, or my Facebook page.
17 months and counting…
Oh poop.
Marc Hemingway 
My advice would be to read, read and read! Knowledge really is key when it comes tot Ironman training and you can’t have enough of it!^^ Another thing would be to start practicing swimming and biking just like your running, i was a ‘runner’ and entered without any swim/bike experience and it took me 20 weeks tot really get used to it so use the time in your advantage 🙂 Final thing would be to get a professional training plan, Ironman is not a race to fool around during training so get a plan to stay on track!
One thing: Enjoy the road to Ironman, it’s a really really reaaaaaaaaallyy long one but it’s all worth it! Good luck, I will be following your journey 🙂
Thanks for the advice! I have 3-4 books on ironman training, and try read as many blogs as I can. It’ll be all worth it, I’m sure!!
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Hi ive done 3 half marathons and 1 full marathon, is this enough to put me into the iron man lanzarote for 2015 or do I need more time
I think there’s only you that can answer that! I’ve only done one 1/2 and 2 full. You’d have pretty much a full year to train!
When I first started training for Ironman I had NO experience, some running but that was it.
That was 10 months ago and now I’m 4 weeks out till Ironman Frankfurt 2014.
If a 18 year old with dedication can do it then I’m sure you can do it. You already have WAAAAAAY more experience then me so yes you can!
Ha ha! Let me know how you do!
I am so tempted by Ironman Lanzarote next year. I turn 30 next year and my birthday present to myself is going to be completing an ironman! I can’t decide which one to do, really attracted to Lanzarote but what’s putting me off is the bulk of the training having to be done over winter ready for May. It’s a toss up between Lanzarote (and sucking it up through the winter months) or Sweden in August. hmmmm. will be watching and sharing your training pain!
I also have a have a half IM in Malta in May which is scarily close and just coming out the other side of marathon fever feel totally unprepared on the bike and dreaded swim front!
good luck in training!
Thanks!
Good luck! You will feel so great once you complete the Ironman!
Thanks!
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I would say putting long bike rides into your routine now to allow for your body to get used to the distance, I have only done one 100+ mile ride and it hurt, try and do a couple of Cycle sportives when you can and that will give you a feel for it. cycling is my favorite event of the three and you will see some really good cardio results from it. ill follow you and keep up to date 🙂 good luck. ive got 70.3 in Germany this year and cant wait.
Thanks for the advice, when’s your event?
On August 10th this year, I cant wait its gonna be awesome. I still have a lot of training to do though.
Good for you! I am embarking on Ironman 2015 in Canada, so my countdown clock is on too! It will come before we know it and it will be an awesome journey every step of the way!
Where abouts in Canada is it?
Hey! In whistler 🙂
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Awesome goal! I’m pretty sure I will do a full Ironman one of these years. For me 2014 will be 2 marathons and my first 70.3 in Benton Harbor Michigan. I look forward to your posts!
Think I’m not going to do a 70.3, because if I didn’t like it it’d put me off the full! 🙂
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IM Lanzarote is an awesome race, one of the hardest, yet most rewarding races I’ve done. You’ll love it as long as you get some good prep in. If you want some advice give me a shout!
Just throw advice at me! Which year did you do? Might’ve been watching!
I did it in 2012. Will cobble some advice together based off my IM experiances.
Thanks!
Good luck matey! Caught this in my Google alert. I live in Lanzarote, and I’m signed up to do my first IM here next year. Training hard!
Father in law is doing it in 2014! Where in lanzarote do you live?
Tell him to give me a shout! We live in Haria, right on the top end of the IM bike course, just before the scary climb up Mirardor del Rio.
By the way. Job done. 15:40 and conditions were pretty tough!
Nice!!
Awesome! I’m registered and training for IM Lake Tahoe 2014. Here’s to an awesome adventure and training!!
Do you have a training plan mapped out? When is it?
I do have a training plan. I’m on an endurance team and my coach has it all covered. 🙂 the mini-distance is in April, Vineman 70.3 in July, and Ironman Lake Tahoe in September. I’m excited!
Ooo, can I see? 🙂
Team info :)?
You’ve got this! Good plan and a great goal!
Hope so. (REALLY hope so!)
One step at a time… Just like anything else. One of those where the time doesn’t matter, as long as you finish (for the first one). After that, all bets are off…
I’d be more than happy with a 16:59:59 finish! (To start…)
During swim practice tonight I used part of the warmup to practice sighting. It might be good to do some workouts with your eyes closed (as much as possible) to work on your sighting technique. I think not being good at this is one of the reasons why my open water swimming is a lot slower than my pool swimming.
I’d swim into people! (And I do that even with eyes open!) 🙂
Ha, that makes it even better triathlon practice.
Amazing! I want to do an ironman in 2015. 2014 is the year of the ultramarathon!
Oof! Which ultra are you doing?
The Zumbo all-night 50-miler in April. I’m simultaneously excited and scared to death!
At night too?! Wow!
You do like a challenge! Brave, mad and inspirational. I am looking forward to the reports!
Ha ha! Everyone will be sick of the updates long before the race!
So exciting!!! Jesse is an ironman, I’m sure he could give you some tips if you’d like. 🙂
Any and all tips are welcome!
Good luck with all your training, I’m certainly looking forward to reading all your The-Road-To-The-Road-To training blogs!
Thanks Kerrie!
Wow, that’s super cool what you’re doing. I’ve been wanting to do an Ironman for a while now… motivating blog! Whoop whoop!!! 🙂
Does that mean you’re joining in…?
I’m not sure about that particular ironman, but I’ll try one closer to me!!! Then again, I’ve always wanted to go to Spain… 🙂
Sounds amazing, all the best with the training! I’m really impressed with how much you have done in such a short space of time – inspiring and encouraging! Go you!
Thank you very much! 🙂
Good luck on your venture!!
Thank you!
Phew! You go! Looking forward to following your training!
Thanks! Looking forward to starting properly!
Wow. Not only a huge challenge but probably the hardest IM on the circuit. I did the half IM in Lanzarote in Octoner…….a few hills in Lanzarote!!!!. I don’t want to contradict anyone else but IMHO it’s all about the bike. You will spend half your time on the bike. I have a place at IM UK in August so I will be as to tell you if I am right. Like you I am excitedly crapping myself lol!!!
Father in law did IM Bolton uk this year, that’ll be my 2nd. (If I finish the first…) Looks like a good course!
Go for it, Hemingway! My advice – if you never swam distance or in open water, concentrate on the swimming. I swam in pool to train for my first tri and underestimated the challenge, a big mistake. Good that you have a coach and plenty of time to prepare. Good luck!
Cheers Jim! Have you got a link to your book?
Well, if you need swim advice, I can pass you on to my Channel-swimmer husband.
I can’t imagine sitting on a bike for that long. Ouch.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
amazing, brave and inspirational! i’ve done a half iron and a 50-mile ultra but have yet to find the courage to commit to a full ironman. there’s just something so intimidating about it to me. but admittedly i have been thinking about lake placid 2015 a lot lately. we’ll see if i have the guts!
Not as intimidating as a 50 mile ultra surely!
Good luck Hemingway. Love your blog. Look forward to tracking your progress.
Thanks Joe!
I think it will be a great experience. I don’t know what it is, but seeing people finish IRONMAN is particularly inspiring. I can not ride a real bike, so…I am not really sure I’ll ever do one. Go you!
It’s very inspiring, every time I’ve watched them finished I’ve wanted it to be me!
That’s awesome! You’ve already done a marathon, so adding the biking and swimming on top of that shouldn’t be *too* bad.
That’s what I’m trying to tell myself…!