What It Takes To Train for The Ironman Triathalon
Our Co-Founder and Chiropractor Dr. Ryan Flatt is a twelve-time Ironman finisher, which means he knows a thing or two about training for triathlons.
Whether you’re looking to get some training tips, or are eager to hear an inspirational story, Dr. Flatt spills all in our Q&A.
Q: How long have you been training for this year’s Ironman, and what does your preparation schedule look like?
Dr. Flatt: This year’s Ironman is an interesting one when it comes to training, as this specific race was postponed in 2020 and 2021, so I’ve really trained to some degree since 2020.
I really focused on my training starting in January of this year. My weekly training generally consists of three bike rides, three runs, and three swims. As the training goes on the distances of each increase. My longest bike ride this year was 210k, my longest run was 27k, and my longest swim was 3.8k!
Q: What’s your favourite part of the triathlon?
Dr. Flatt: Oh, the bike ride by far. You get to go fast! This is the leg where I can generally make up some time as I’m not the fastest swimmer.
Q: What brings you back year after year? Has your training changed over the years?
Dr. Flatt: The challenge is always in pushing myself. Can have a better race? Can I beat my previous times? These are all personal goals of mine.
The community of the triathlon is what continues to bring me back. The energy and power of a large group of people with one common goal are really inspiring. I recommend to anyone that has the chance to watch the start and finish of an Ironman event to do so!
Q: What are you looking forward to most with this year’s event?
Dr. Flatt: Having my son see me cross the finish line for the first time!
Q: What advice would you give someone participating in an Ironman for the first time?
Dr. Flatt: Don’t outrace your training. I think a lot of first-timers (myself included) get caught up in the hype of the day. Stay focused and go into the day with a plan and stick to it. Let others go barreling past! You may just end up seeing them walking the last half of the race.
Q: Why the Ironman? What does this race mean to you?
Dr. Flatt: Triathlons and racing Ironman events have become more than just a thing for me to do. It’s a lifestyle now. I enjoy the training and I enjoy staying fit. I find racing exciting!
It’s impossible to reproduce the energy surrounding a race morning without doing another race. I think that energy has an addictive nature to it. These races give me the chance to test myself against athletes from all over the world, which is a rare opportunity for amateur athletes.
Are you looking for some support in training for a race? Or maybe you’re needing some health goal guidance? Contact us today and begin to live stronger.
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