So you want to do an Ironman?
My Ironman journey & endurance race advice from 17 incredible athletes.
In Northern California born and raised
In the dance studio was where I spent most of my days
Chillin’ out maxin’ relaxin’ all cool
And travelin’ outside of the school
When I moved to London and ran my first 5K
Started doing a run relay
I got the race bug and thought I’ll race as much as she can
I said “I’m signin’ up for my first Ironman”
This isn’t the story of a lifelong athlete. Besides dance until 9th grade, I did zero sports growing up.
Leap #1 I stumbled upon triathlon after my friend Kelly and I decided that we should build up our beanpole arms, and swimming seemed like the logical answer. Since we knew how to ride a bike, had run a few miles and were soon to be expert swimmers, we registered for the Wildflower Olympic Course.
Leap #2 Two years and six triathlons later, I mentally decided I wanted to consider the possibility of an Ironman. This meant running a marathon, to see if I was even capable of running 26.2 miles. I entered the lottery with some coworkers for the Nike Women’s Marathon and got in!
Leap #3 Go big or go home. If I’m going to do this ridiculous race, I’m going to do it somewhere awesome, like Brazil. By 7:03am on June 7th, I was officially registered for an Ironman!
On June 8th, preparations began. Coach Jay of PacWest became my Ironman coach. I joined Shift SF, a cycling studio, to hone in on my bike strength and technique. My friend PJ introduced me to an one-of-a-kind swim program through purplepatch. And the training began…six days a week, nearly every morning and night.
About 30 days until race day, I reached out to some friends for some first-time Ironman race advice. As the words poured in, I realized that didn’t know 90% of these amazing people a year ago. I didn’t know 100% of them two years ago.
This is my net, and because of it, I feel confident going into race day.
In my first ironman I had no idea what the day was going to be like, but I learned that if I just thought about it as a day outside full of fun activities, it would help me be patient and get to the finish line with positive spirits the whole time. — Jerome Tavé
Expect the unexpected and don’t panic—it’s part of an IM; When you start thinking “what the hell was I thinking and why am I doing this?” EAT, EAT, EAT!!; chicken broth never tasted soooo good; and ENJOY the experience -the thrill of swimming with 2000 of your new best friends, the warm sunshine as you fly by all your new best friends on the bike course, and cheers from all the volunteers and spectators along the run course. As you cross that finish line, smile, laugh, cry — remember the journey and savor that finishing moment. —Danielle Hauptman
In my first ironman it was 30 something degrees when we got in the water and I shared T1 next to a few hundred of my closest naked male friends and I learned to enjoy the experience and not stress! —Cameron Shafer
Remember the good days…When the dark cloud hovers above, remember the training days when everything clicked. Go to your happy place ☺. —PJ Gallagher
In my first IM, it snowed the day before and I learned it’s all out of my control. The single best piece advice I got when prepping was “you’re as prepared as you’re going to be and you dont have a previous time or a PR time to try and beat, so relax, enjoy the day and take it all in.” It’s just a long and well supported brick workout so there’s no reason to stress. —Jamie Ceglarz
I got dehydrated because I underestimated how much I’d need between fills and I learned that it’s true what they say: no matter what you’re feeling like now…it’ll change! I rehydrated, ate, and got a second wind! I always think about that now when I’m feeling bad. The race is long; if you’re feeling down, there’s time to figure out what’s wrong, fix it, and rock it to the finish! —Peter Brennen
On the marathon — EAT! Don’t fuel like you normally would for a regular marathon. You’ve biked 112 miles before that. Also…chicken broth will be your best friend. Take it and try it. It’s amazing. Smile and have fun. You’ll love 90% of it… And even the part that sucks you’ll be amazed that you’re actually doing it. The day goes by way too quickly. And when you get to that finish chute… High five everyone in sight. —Jessica Swain
My 1st IM was IM Switzerland. My goal for the race, the only goal, and the goal you should hold to is…to finish! You’ve trained and prepared for your body to perform, but what will get you to the finish-line, is your mind. Keep telling yourself, you will finish. Vanessa, You Will Finish! —Jerry Nista
Drink in the whole experience…trust in your training…high five and thank every volunteer you can(hug them if possible)…and PAY ATTENTION when they say “Vanessa Slavich…YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!” —Danny Loental
In my first IM I went in with no expectations, I focused on one event at a time and after each event I smiled a big ol’ smile☺. In the run, I didn’t have “fun” like everyone told me to have BUT I used all the emotions that came up and all the cheers to pound it out! **i also thought about the large pizza I was doing to eat at after! —Heather Scott
Practical advice: Set what feels like a comfortable pace on the first half of the bike and the run, then dial it back even more. Your over-all splits will be way faster. Emotional advice: You’ll go through every emotion during the race, but the positive energy of your fellow athletes, the volunteers and the crowd will provide invaluable support, which you often don’t get during the long training hours, often spent alone. It will definitely give you that extra boost you need. —Galyn Burke
I learned at my first IM that it’s all about the experience and process, not about the finish time. Try to enjoy the highs and lows equally and you’ll surprise yourself at how strong you truly are! —Naomi Fliflet
KCCO= keep calm, carry on all day long! When in any doubt = hydration + nutrition; Nourish the highs, troubleshoot the lows. Keep all the memorable LIFE fun and great training in your back pocket to bring out on race day. Remember all the people who love you and support you — and that helped you get to the start line. Those same people will also be at the glorious finish. Remember how you will feel the next morning after the race having accomplished such a feat! WE ARE ALL WITH YOU V! —Meredith Kessler
If you start feeling grumpy, eat…! Pack something (food, e.g. salt & vinegar kettle chips, gummy worms) you love in your special needs… just knowing it’s there is a good motivator even if you don’t eat/drink it! Smile… radiating positive energy to all you pass… will give you wings! —Jordan Blanco
Enjoy every single second! Your first Ironman only happens once and no one will ever be able to take that away from you. Stay present in your body and appreciate that you are strong and healthy enough to accomplish something so AMAZING! Always stay positive and trust that your training has made you more than prepared for race day. —Ian Ballentine
I learned that you feel better when you smile and that spectators will carry you through those last difficult miles on the run. —Heidi Spector
Don’t forget an extra tube! I got a flat right at the beginning… The grape I ate during the marathon was the best ever! Hydration and nutrition will be your best friends all day long! Don’t forget, when it’s gonna start to feel hard: everybody will have the same pain! Enjoy, it’s gonna be so fun and you will love it! GO GO GO! —Pierre Billa
I hope this advice inspires you. Good luck wherever your journey takes you!
