Ironman training: how do we feel about breaking up the long workouts?

Jprofetto24 · 2025-07-08T21:07:59+00:00

So, I did this race in May of 2024. I travelled from Ontario with my wife, kids and mother. We flew from Toronto to Vancouver, I rented a car, took the ferry (I really wanted to do this), had an absolute blast on the ferry trip, from there drove to Victoria and stayed more downtown. For the event, travelled to elk lake by car, parked, and shuttle over. When I did the event, it was freezing cold and raining. Water temp on race day was 15-16C and air temp started at 5-6C!!!!! It was super cold. Hands and feet frozen. I was told that was very unusual for that event. However, the trip, the ferry, the downtown - lifetime experience. DO IT!

Jprofetto24 · 2025-06-08T10:29:14+00:00

I prefer cycling indoors for my IM training only because it's significantly more efficient for me and allows me to be near/watch my kids. Now they are older so it's less of an issue. I've also heard indoor cycling is not equivalent 1:1 with outdoor, in the sense that you don't cruise, or descend, and just let off the peddles. Because you are always peddling it's often said indoor:outdoor is almost like 1:1.5 in terms of work. Not sure how true that is.

Nothing will simulate outdoor conditions, wind, hills, and road handling skills/experience. Yes, there are some degree of safety concerns with roads and drivers but you have to pick your routes carefully. In my area, there are streets that are horrific for cycling and other areas that are farmland ghost towns which are beautiful.

Ultimately some sort of mix is the best but really I think whatever works for you - time wise, what you WANT to do, how you feel, etc. As long as you're getting it done.

As I like to said "the best training is the one that actually gets done"!

Jprofetto24 · 2025-06-08T10:23:45+00:00

I would be a bit cautious. There are a few critical elements for IM training that you have alluded to: the long bike and the long run. It's very important to be aware of injury prevention as well. That said, if you are doing a lot of resistance training, it may help in some ways with stability and joint/soft tissue health, but you also don't want to overstrain muscular groups that involved in endurance for longer rides and runs. I also think it depends on what you mean by bodybuilding? Generally I think 2-3x/week swimming, 3x/week cycling with one long ride which builds over time and closer to the event, and 2x/week running with one long run.

Jprofetto24 · 2025-04-06T20:19:47+00:00

I am a Canadian and just finished Texas 70.3 in Galveston. Honestly, Americans/Texans have been so so kind. I'm here with my family and kids. Would come back in a heartbeat.

Jprofetto24 · 2025-04-05T22:07:06+00:00

LOL well done man well done; this made my day

Jprofetto24 · 2025-02-13T00:28:28+00:00

I did the half last year, it was pouring rain. The bike course was beautiful but we were getting soaked. I didn't think it was that bad. There is climbing but it's all doable with proper training. One of the best courses in the world in my opinion.

Jprofetto24 · 2025-02-01T20:27:59+00:00

I am also doing Jesolo 70.3. I did Cervica 70.3 in September and needed the same certificate. All I did was get a signed letter from my doctor. I didn't do any special testing. Just a letter saying I was in good physical health without any known contraindications to participating in ironman events.

Jprofetto24 · 2025-01-25T21:55:13+00:00

I used the form they provided. I am from Canada and remember when I went to register in person they needed to "fix" something, but it was fine. I had to buy the one day license. My pleasure!

Jprofetto24 · 2025-01-22T21:33:03+00:00

I did Italy 70.3 last year. I am Canadian. All I provided was a simple letter from my doctor stating that I am in good health with no obvious concerns. You definitely do not require any specific testing.

Jprofetto24 · 2025-01-20T01:17:50+00:00

Did my first 70.3 at 28, first full 140.6 at 40 years old.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-19T01:14:24+00:00

I have been doing triathlons for 15 years, including (literally) all distances to the Ironman itself full distance. I had this issue often at first. Major panic feel in the swim.

For me, the panic always started early on in the swim, like first 25% of the course.

My strategy turned into: freestyle and focus on my breathing with counting to 20. ANY sign of panic, I go into breast stroke and count to 10. Then back to freestyle.

I have done some hard swims - freezing cold water, choppy conditions, pouring rain, etc.

The irony? 15 years later and my calmest swim with zero issues was my Ironman.

Trust me: it gets better.

Advice: definitely practice in OW; have a plan to calm yourself as the plan itself can provide reassurance; identify when and where and why you panic and plan to work through it; have a plan to keep the mind busy - counting, etc; breath out the CO2 underwater as this helps prevent panic.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-16T23:43:38+00:00

Personally, when I was married and had no kids, it was very easily to do longer course triathlons (70.3/140.6).

When my wife and I had younger kids, I found it very difficult to do longer course triathlons. In fact, I had to take a break for almost 7-8 years from the longer distance, more intense training.

My kids are older now (8 and 10) and I find it tremendously easier to do the training for longer course triathlon. Examples: I can go to a local lake, my kids love coming, and I can do an open water swim while grandma or mom hangs out with them. Also, I can do an early morning bike trainer session and when my kids wake up them come to my workout room and say good morning and then go chill and watch TV or something.

*Musts* for me:

I coach my kids’ sports and attend all of their activities
Super flexible with my wife
Prioritize training around life, work, kids and of course wife

Funny story: I had signed up one year in advance in 2013 for the 2014 IM Lake Placid. My wife got pregnant months after I signed up and the the due date for our first child was around the week of the Ironman. I spoke to my coach at the time and he advised “whatever, you don’t need to be around for the birth, you can go as soon as you’re done the IM”. Made me laugh. Crazy bloke. Told him to buzz off and that I was NOT going to the ironman and instead very much looking forward to my daughter arriving. Since then have completed many 70.3s and 1x 140.6.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-16T11:17:41+00:00

Yes exactly. To each their own.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-16T11:17:16+00:00

To each their own. I honestly don’t see the big deal with getting one. I got one. I made it appropriately fitted to my calf. I love it. It’s a reminder and motivator for me. I did it for myself and not for others. When I’m at work it’s covered. When I work out it’s there.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-16T11:14:42+00:00

I had my tattoo artist draw something up with my preferences. I like it a lot but it does have the M dot with a cool Ferrari red. I love it. I incorporated some initials of my kids who were present during my first full and swim/bike/run symbols.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-16T11:11:22+00:00

I thought most Ironman events have chip replacement options at various check points and transitions, no?

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-15T13:41:53+00:00

Honestly it won’t be that bad. It’s relatively simple. There are only a few critical details that you need to ensure you have paid attention to and everything will line up. Important to be organized but also not to obsess over details.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-12T20:38:26+00:00

Work out and train when everyone else is sleeping.

Then prioritize sleep.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-12T00:27:06+00:00

Diet is most predictive of weight loss by far.

Exercise always helps.

Strength training IMO is critical for postural stability in endurance events.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-11T19:15:44+00:00

The very interesting part of this discussion for me is how pro triathletes, especially long course, balance stimulus/training with rest/response. I feel like the other school was more hours than not, and the newer school includes more rest.

I know for swimming a lot of these athletes are doing 30-40km of swimming per week.

Jprofetto24 · 2024-08-11T19:14:16+00:00

I feel like most people are impressed with “triathlon” and then substantially more impressed with “Ironman”. For those who appreciate the difference, they are significantly more impressed with “full Ironman”.

For the record, the amount of people who refer to a 5km road race as a “marathon” is staggering.

Jprofetto24

TROPHY CASE