Question:
How would you compare the Ironman with 50 and 100 miler for average athletes?
I would like to improve my running in Ironman distance triathlons.
I have done the Great Floridian triathlon three times (94,95,96). My run
splits were: 5:19, 4:43 and 4:50 respectively. By contrast I have road
raced 6 marathons much quicker with an average of about 3:37. I am
certain that I should be able to break 4:00 in an ironman distance
triathlon, but I am not sure what to do.
Answer:I've done one ironman distance triathlon (The Longest Day in the UK)
and two 56 mile ultras (Comrades marathon twice). The Ironman's
easier, in my opinion. You're sitting on your backside for a lot of
it, for a start!
It would be easier to find bin Laden. We tried this on the ultra forum
and the consensus was too many variables. How does one compare the
swimming and biking legs of the iron to pure running besides
the obvious use of different muscles. Either one can be flat
or very hilly. The list just goes on and on.
If you held a gun to most peoples head it's between 50-70 miles
of a trail ultra. OTOH the ironman will give you great training and a
base
for ultra racing. You damn well learn to drink and pee frequently
unlike the pee/marathon thread.
If you want to improve your run split dramatically, you're going to have
to improve your cycling efficiency. While it's hard to describe, you'll
have to achieve a "higher plane of cycling consciousness" -- basically,
cycling 112 miles needs to feel like something that you're used to and
can control your way through.
Running 8:00 miles is doable at the end of an Ironman, provided you've
been able to cycle, relatively easily, in around 5:30-6:00 (depending on
the course).
