The Ultimate Ironman Triathlon Guide

When it comes to participating in an Ironman race, preparation, focus and dedication are key. An Ironman triathlon is a race over distances of swimming, cycling and running. And is widely considered one of the most difficult physical tests in the world. Within this guide, we’re going to break down the event so you’ll know what to expect and share expert advice to ensure you’re prepared.

What is an Ironman Challenge?

An Ironman triathlon is a long-distance triathlon consisting of three consecutive events: a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) cycle, followed by a full marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km). The word "Ironman" was trademarked by World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) but has since become synonymous with long-distance triathlon events in general.

An Ironman triathlon is a gruelling endurance event, that you’ll need to dedicate months of training for. It’s not for the faint of heart, to qualify for most Ironman competitions, an athlete must finish an Ironman-distance race in less than 17 hours. Therefore, participants strive to complete all three events without stopping to rest in the process, hence the name “Ironman”: an athlete who has earned their title through tremendous mental and physical stamina.

How to Sign Up to an Ironman Triathlon

You can sign up for an Ironman triathlon on the official website – register for an ironman race. They take place all over the world including regions such as Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

How Much Does an Ironman Race Cost?

The cost of an ironman triathlon varies depending on where you race. The general entry fee is around £450 / €600 / $800, before you sign up for an event, they’ll let you know the exact price. Before you decide to take part in Ironman consider the extra costs on top of this. As the biggest costs are your travel expenses, nutrition, bike and running gear (shoes, helmet and clothing).

Ironman Preparation

An ironman triathlon is something you do for yourself. It’s the quintessential challenge for anyone who aspires to be the best and is where all athletes compete in the ultimate test of endurance. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. You get to experience a range of emotions: joy and happiness; euphoria, frustration and disappointment; elation, surprise, and apprehension. These experiences will test and change your state of being more than any other event you could imagine doing. You must be prepared.

Training

Ironman triathlon training includes four key elements: swim, bike, run and nutrition. The four disciplines must be worked simultaneously to get you ready for the big race. If you’ve signed up for the race or you’re still contemplating it: take a look at this 6-month training plan provided by the official Ironman organisation. And remember, you’ll need to closely consider nutrition to make sure you have enough energy for intense training and the big day.

Ironman Essential Nutrition, Vitamins, and Minerals

• Carbohydrates – fuel for exercise
• Protein – aids recovery and muscle repair
• Fat – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are essential to supply your body with fatty acids and also are required to absorb vitamins such as vitamin A,D & E
• Sodium – is an electrolyte we lose when we sweat and therefore we need to replace it
• Potassium – an essential electrolyte for athletes for producing energy and muscle contractions
• Magnesium – another essential electrolyte for heartbeat maintenance and nutrient regulation

What to Expect on Race Day

Ironman Swimming

The ironman triathlon swimming event is challenging to say the least, especially when the swim leg is a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) open water swim. Experienced and novice triathletes alike dread starting their day with this event because of the exhaustion from torrid conditions, cold water temperatures and strong currents. If temperatures are below 16°C, you’ll need to wear a wetsuit. However, if they are above 24.5°C, wetsuits are banned.

You’ll be expected to complete the swim in around 2 hours and 20 minutes (this can vary depending on your specific race). If you don’t meet the cut-off time, you can not continue. The entire event was created by John Collins and his wife Judy, who wanted to do something that John described as "so extreme that no one would ever think of doing it". The distances of the triathlon and the time limits were designed with the help of Navy SEALs. The founders were influenced by the culture at that time and agreed that they should be events that could only be done by highly trained and motivated athletes.

Ironman Cycling

As you leave the water, the first challenge you’ll face is finding your bike! The cycling leg of the Ironman triathlon is 112-mile (180.25 km), it’s the longest part of the day. From the comparatively flat roads of Ironman Philippines to the hilly paths of Ironman Gurye, the courses differ dramatically around the world.

Official Ironman events typically have closed roads for improved athlete safety. To further increase safety according to Ironman's competition rules, all participants must maintain a 12m draught zone between the front wheel of the leading athlete and the front wheel of the following athlete. If you want to overtake the athlete in front of you, you must do it in 25 seconds. If you fail to do so, you’ll receive a 5-minute penalty on your race time. The cut-off time for the bike event is typically around 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Ironman Running

As you park your bike up in its designated spot, you’ll now embark on a full marathon. The running event is 26.2-mile (42.2km) and is probably the hardest sector of the event as you’ve been competing all day. At this point, due to the accumulated strains of the swim and bike, it’s important you re-fuel to re-gain energy.

At this point you’ll truly be tested, both mentally and physically, but just remember that you’re getting closer and closer to the finish line. You’ll be expected to finish the marathon in around 6 hours and 30 minutes.

End of Day

Completing an Ironman event is one of the most fulfilling achievements and once finishing, you deserve to celebrate. The dedication, training, nutrition and self-motivation needed throughout the entire journey is what makes the event one of the toughest, yet most rewarding triathlons in the world. Are you ready to become an Ironman?

If you’re looking for some performance gear to support you throughout your Ironman journey, check out the ARTILECT men's clothing and women's clothing ranges – ideal for endurance sport.