TOP FIVE TIPS: IRONMAN - with Michala Thomas
We caught up with our long-time friend and Ironman finisher Michala @shesthebeat to ask for the top five things she wishes someone had told her before entering her first @ironmantri. Safe to say Michala’s advice below is invaluable for anyone thinking of signing up to IM...
EFFORT
I already knew how much time and effort it was going to take but I did not realise how emotionally taxing it would be to put Ironman above everything else in my life for those six months. I'm talking lots of crying and breakdowns. But it's okay, you're pushing yourself to the ultimate limit. Social life? Love life? Family life? So difficult to balance, but I somehow managed to do it!
I already knew how much time and effort it was going to take but I did not realise how emotionally taxing it would be to put Ironman above everything else in my life for those six months. I'm talking lots of crying and breakdowns. But it's okay, you're pushing yourself to the ultimate limit. Social life? Love life? Family life? So difficult to balance, but I somehow managed to do it!
EXPENSE
A bike here, an upgrade there, kit for three disciplines, race entry, travel costs, fuel for the race… it all adds up fast. Luckily I had a lot of kit beforehand but an IM can cost £1000+ by the time cost is collated together. Looking back now... worth EVERY PENNY!
DETERMINATION
A bike here, an upgrade there, kit for three disciplines, race entry, travel costs, fuel for the race… it all adds up fast. Luckily I had a lot of kit beforehand but an IM can cost £1000+ by the time cost is collated together. Looking back now... worth EVERY PENNY!
DETERMINATION
Improving in fitness is going to be slower than you think. Getting your fuel right is personal - someone might eat malt loaf, another might use VALA! Find what works for you. This isn't an overnight job and it requires commitment, dedication and most of all motivation. You have to deeply and truly want to be an Ironman to get up at 5am and train twice a day nearly every day for at least 6 months. If you haven't got that drive, you're going to stay in bed on those cold, dark, rainy winter mornings.
PREPARATION
You cannot go into this race blind. Mental preparation is EVERYTHING. From envisaging yourself standing on the beach with 3000 other athletes, to how you will feel crossing the finish line. I visualised this at times when I wanted to give up in training. I’m a worrier, so I watched videos the bike and run courses to plan out strategy and become familiar with them. Learning little tricks like filling your wetsuit with water just before you get out of the water, putting tape on your top bar and writing fuel stations, difficult climbs, cut off times help massively to manage your race. Having a cry on the morning of the race is okay. Watch inspiration videos and listen to your hype song - anything to get you into the right frame of mind. I recommend the video "Rise and Shine"!
PRIDE
The one thing I'm glad I *DIDN’T* know was just how incredible and invincible you feel crossing the finishing line and hearing the words "You are an IRONMAN". There is no way to describe the sheer pride you feel in yourself, the adrenaline rush of having a huge crowd be proud of you and lift you up after having hours of dark moments where you have self-doubt and think you're not strong enough or ‘man-enough’. Finally, being a female having completed a male-dominated sport is cooler then you think!