Ironman 70.3

[Popsdob]

I'm considering entering Ironman.

Two things put me off - the cost and the cut off times.

But - imagine if I did it - that would be so cool!

Has anyone done it before? What was it like?

It is a cool thing to do - I've done a few in the past and loved them! It's a great distance for a challenge and the atmosphere and support are always fantastic. Do you already swim, bike and run? That will determine how much of a challenge it will be!

You don't have to do an Ironman branded event - there are plenty of middle distances races around in the UK that are cheaper. The cut-off times can vary a bit too, according to the terrain etc. It's worth doing a bit of research first to find a race that will suit you.

I do triathlon (very badly), and am doing a 70.3 event as part of a relay this year. Every event is different - whether its the swim in a sea/lake/river and how many people in a wave, start in water or going from land. Bike courses can be very hilly (Ironman Wales), open or closed roads, and windy - and so on.
If you aren't already doing open water swimming, then that can take a considerable time to get confident, especially if its a multilap swim where you get swum over more

I run regularly, have previously been good on bike (done ride London 100) and last year completed 2 mile swim serpentine. Although I'm okay at all of the above, I'm certainly not quick and would definitely be back of the pack and worrying about cut offs. I found a Cotswolds one that doesn't cut you off - but will it have the same buzz as ironman?! Maybe I should do Cotswolds this year and Ironman next ?

Oh you'd be fine then with all that experience. I don't know much about the Cotswold one but I would highly recommend looking up the Outlaw ones. There is one near Nottingham, one in Holkham (Norfolk) and a new one this year in Wiltshire. Their atmosphere is just as good as (in fact maybe better than! Ironman. I've taken part as both a competitor and volunteer too and they go all out to make it an amazing experience.

The Cotswolds one is supposed to be a really nice event, and the lake is lovely, not a massively hilly bike course too. Not far from me, so a lot of local triathletes do that one
The one I'm doing is the UK Triathlon Ultimate - I've done sprint tris with them before and they are well run. Will report back on atmosphere

Just looking up Outlaw Bowood.
Just a bit concerned it's going to be full of speedys!

I did a 70.3 triathlon last year (not IM, different brand) and ended up with a DNF after I missed the cut off for bike2run transition by 10 minutes

It was my own stupid fault because I misjudged the timings and convinced myself they wouldn't enforce the cut offs (hadn't in previous years!)

I was utterly heart broken (a whole year of prep !) and cried for 2 days.

But I re-entered the same event for this year as soon as entries opened a week later - getting back on the horse and all that!

My tips:

• do as much Open Water swimming as you can
• do some shorter tri's (sprint distance is good) to get used to how it all works
• do some run to bike brick workouts
• time on your bike, if you can try to ride the route of the event you're entering at least once
• join the Facebook group for the specific event you're entering
• practise transitioning
• practise your nutrition for the bike leg

Popsdob- I was in exactly your situation last year, just being really tempted by it and thinking how cool it would be.
So one night I just signed up for Staffordshire 70.3 and then followed the 220 triathlon training plan (more or less 😀). I loved the event so much that I've signed up for it again this year.
As one of the previous posters said- get some open water swimming in. A reasonable amount of time in the bike. I walked the aid stations on the run and forced myself to have something (fluid/ gel etc) at every one of them. That worked well too. It's definitely doable.
Have a look on the triathlon thread on this board- there were a few of us doing it last year.
Good luck and do sign up :-).

On the bike