How it all started
In May 2019 Ironman came to Cork. At the time I was helping a few athletes competing in the race with their strength and conditioning work, so I went out to support them. I really got caught up with the atmosphere and how much support the athletes got from the local communities. Coming from an adventure racing background, we rarely have any support, other than a few friendly sheep, 😉 LOL.
Following that experience, I decided that I was going to enter Ironman 2020, …… I forgot to add that at the time I was struggling to swim even one length of a 25m pool – and poorly.
Let the training begin
With that my Ironman journey begun. I felt confident that I could complete the bike and run, however, the swim was another matter. In fact, most people don’t compete in Triathlon due to the swim. So that was my first priority. I joined the local leisure centre and got some basic lessons to get me started. After a few months I felt confident enough to attempt a “Try and Tri” race (250m swim, 20k bike, 5k run). The swim went as badly as I expected, but once I did eventually get out of the water I was away like a bullet and actually won the race. After that race, I joined swim classes in Cork and it brought my swimming on leaps and bounds. I competed in 1 more Try a tri and then moved on to a sprint distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 6k run) and finished the season with a middle distance triathlon (1.9k swim, 96k bike, 21.1k run). Despite struggling to swim with training, focus and discipline I was happy to finish the season with confidence – I had the experience to build a training plan worthy of the ironman!
Dealing with setbacks – not mentioning the C word!
In 2020 Covid meant cancellation and Ironman didn’t escape. It was tough after all the long hours of training but as we headed into winter and another series of lockdowns I adapted first my mindset and then a training programme geared towards Ironman 2021. With that, I continued to train hard and work on my swimming. When the pools were shut down, I designed a programme for myself for the gym, specifically for swim endurance. Yes, you read correctly – training to swim in the gym. I also did a breathwork course, that I felt would help.
As soon as I could tolerate the water (remember it was now winter), I was back open water swimming. It was then I knew the dry land swim training I did in the gym had helped me enormously, and easily completed 1km on my first swim back.
By targeting specific muscle groups combined with focusing on my range of motion and breathwork all have a real positive impact on my speed and technique.
The real event!
Fast forward to August 2021 and I was standing on the start line of Hardman Killarney. This is also a Full Iron-Distance Triathlon with the same distances as Ironman (3.8k swim, 180 k bike and 42.2k run).
The swim ended up being closer to 4k and I still managed to complete it in 1hr 27minutes ( I was over the moon!). I managed to complete the full race in just over 13hours. A test of not just fitness but mindset, resilience and hours of training – more on that to come later 🙂
Over to you
If it’s swimming that’s stopping you from trying a triathlon, I highly recommend you consider learning how to swim using a good swim coach. I’ve trained in the pool, open water and in the gym to get from a poor attempt at swimming my first length to participating in a serious endurance event where you not only need to know how to swim but have respect for the open water while navigating your way safely across the course, ready for the next stage – the cycle.
You won’t regret it, it’s a highly addictive and brilliant sport.
If you want to discuss how we can adapt your training plan to focus on improving your swim – don’t hesitate to call!
