davidbunnell

So, I decided last year I was going to do the Ironman once I turned the minimum age. I turn 18 in February and I plan on doing the Louisville Ironman in October. I am a competitive swimmer, so the swim doesn't worry me. But the bike and run... those do. I have been running since August and I just bought a bike back a few weeks ago. I know I will need to do a few regular tris to gain experience, and maybe do the half-Ironman before the full one. But how should I start training?

Dalai

Sounds like you need to build a base on the bike. So slowly increase the distance you can ride each week. There is a good resourse of free training plans at Triathlon Training Plans and Schedules | Beginnertriathlete.com if you need some guidance...

adablduya

congrats to you on your choice of a challenging and rewarding endeavor !! there is alot to learn, and once you get into it, you'll become obsessed with how much there is to learn.

i agree, there are lots of resources that can provide reasonable and sound progressive training plans.

however, i would draw attention up front to the area of hydration and nutrition. all day hydration and nutrition. electrolyte replacement, too. no amount of physical training and preparation will get you thru the day without proper nutrition. i learned this the hard way in my first half-IM. i thought i'd be efficient and subsist on course-provided gatorade all day. paid the price in the half-mary. learned that there was way too much sugar for me to process. didn't work for me. so, make educating yourself on this area a focus as well as physical training.

MAIN THING !!! NEVER, EVER use something new on race day you haven't trained with and are used to using. not anything ! nutrition, equipment, nothing !