Resources for First-Time Ironman Athletes
As some of you may know, my day job involves working as a contract and freelance writer for different publications and companies in the endurance sport world. I’ve been blessed to have bylines on IRONMAN.com, Triathlete Magazine, Outside Run, Trail Runner Mag, Women’s Running, XTERRA, ect.
In December, I was approached to work on a special project for IRONMAN that I’m SO excited about! The goal was to help build out the resources section of their brand new website with a number of articles focusing on topics specifically for new triathletes.
Are you planning to do your first 70.3 or IRONMAN? This is for you.
This project is totally in my wheelhouse, because it’s the reason why I started this blog in the first place!
My vision for Triple Threat Life is to use the resources available to me as a journalist, combined with my own experience as an athlete, to create a trusted outlet for quality information that breaks through the noise, misinformation, and (honestly) bad advice out there about triathlon and endurance sports.
The first series of articles is live, so I wanted to share them with you! They cover some of the most common questions and concerns among new triathletes.
Fear of open water swimming
How do you know if you’re ready to do an IRONMAN?
Tips for the first-time triathlete
Navigating the logistics of IRONMAN race week
Packing gear bags for an IRONMAN
What are aid stations and how do you use them?
Below are links to the first 6 articles.
5 Causes of Open Water Swim Anxiety and How to Conquer Them
For most people, the biggest barrier to signing up for a triathlon is fear of open water swimming. It’s totally understandable, because most of us are adult-onset swimmers.
When I first started triathlon, I could only swim 50 yards without getting out of breath.
The anxiety surrounding OWS can be even worse with a 70.3 or IM, because you have to wrap your head around swimming 1.2 or 2.4 miles, respectively. Then, people have anxiety about panicking in the water, swimming in crowds, going off course, and what’s below the surface…
This piece addresses 5 common causes of open water swim anxiety, with actionable solutions, and includes some open water skills to practice.
How Do I Know if I’m Ready to do an IRONMAN?
Ah, the age-old question. How do I know if I’m actually ready to do an IRONMAN? It’s hard to provide a definitive answer for this, because nobody really knows for sure, until you’re out there on course.
However, there are few questions you should ask yourself before signing up for an IRONMAN. In this piece, I spoke with a triathlon coach to gain insight into how long it takes to train for an IRONMAN, what type of training you should expect, if it’s necessary to run a marathon prior to, and more.
10 Tips for First-Time Triathletes
This guide compiles all our best advice for the first-time triathlete, touching on topics like investing in quality equipment, brick workouts, transition practice, pacing, and training your mental game.
Complete Guide to IRONMAN Race Week: Navigate Athlete Check-in, Transition, and More
I’ve touched on this topic before on the blog. This version goes in depth into all the logistics involved during race week at an IRONMAN triathlon.
We talk about athlete check-in, aid station procedure, commonly violated rules, and even what you can wear.
How to Pack Gear Bags for an IRONMAN
Gear bags are unique to 70.3 and 140.6 triathlon. Knowing how to use them properly is essential to set yourself up for a successful race day experience.
We cover what to put in each of the five IRONMAN gear bags: white morning clothes bag, blue bike bag, red run bag, orange special needs bike bag, and black special needs run bag.
Aid Station 101: How to Navigate IRONMAN Aid Stations and Fuel Like a Pro
Many people won’t have encountered an aid station until they do an IRONMAN for the first time. This guide explains what aid stations are, what products you can find there, and how to navigate them safely. There’s also basic tips about nutrition and aid station etiquette.