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I will forever remember heading out on the King K. highway in Kona that memorable day in 1984 when race-day temperatures hit over 105 degrees on Ironman day. I will remember it not because of the weather, but more because of the piece of crap bike I was riding. Today it probably wouldn't make the grade as a wind-trainer bike, yet it got me through the day even though I had no spare tire, no computer, no aero bars, no titanium, and about 70 pounds of air pressure in my tires.
My latest book "Triathlete In Transition" is for the very beginner triathlete and is also being well received.
It will require some imagination and a bit of sacrifice, but the Ironman on a shoestring is a very possible concept that if adopted will make your Ironman dream a reality.
To cut down on your Ironman travel costs, pick a race that's the closest to you. Hopefully it's within driving distance. Driving has a ton of advantages. First you save by not having to fly and you can pack much of your favorite food to take with you. Also you can car-pool and even save money on gas. While you are at it, share a place to stay with two or three others and your accommodation costs will come way down. Be sure to get a full kitchenette so you can prepare your own food. Especially the food you brought with you from home. It's smart not just because you save tons of money, but also because you don't have any drastic changes to the diet you have been training with all year.
Not in a million years should let this opportunity pass you by. There is always a way if the desire is in your heart and you have a passion in your soul to grasp this one chance to discover who you really are and just how much you are truly capable of.
First of all, don't get swept up by the mentality that all the fancy gear you see in tri magazines is necessary to your ultimate success. Yes, there is some amazing ironman technology out there and some stunning gear and clothing as well, but it is not an $8000 bike, a $600 wetsuit, and $400 sunglasses that are essential to propel you to the Ironman finish line. In fact it's the heart to endure the 112 mile bike, the courage and skill to maneuver through the 2.4 mile swim, and the vision to never lose sight of the finish line that will be the real tools that will sustain you through-out your journey.
So what does all this mean? Should the unrelenting call of the Ironman be left in the distant swirling dust along with all those other forgotten dreams that have been lost on this freeway called life that is passing you by at breakneck speed?
Remember that you can always use my contact page on this site and I will be glad to help you on your journey as much as I can and that is "always" free. Of course I'm not a certified coach and I can't write out entire training programs because I have visitors from around 60 countries every month, but I will help all I can from the experiences I have had.
Fogged Mirror
Wrapped in a robe, Kaitlynn writes with her index finger on the fogged bathroom mirror at home after taking her bath. Hesitant at first, she writes her name with a shaky confidence. Quickly erasing the ghostly letters with the palm of her hand, she worries that her parents will punish her for being strong as a girl, an insidious reason she has never understood. With renewed confidence, Kaitlynn writes her name on the clouded mirror one more time anyway, and leaves it for posterity.
Coaches are great, but if the cost is beyond your reach, buy some of the really great tri-books on the market. For example, if swim coaching is beyond your financial means, consider a book called "Total Immersion" by Terry Laughlin. Probably the best swimming technique for the Ironman in the world and best of all, YOU CAN TEACH YOURSELF! So buy books, buy books, buy books. They are the least expensive alternative for those who cannot afford coaching.
Instead of buying fancy, expensive bike clothes, consider purchasing an inexpensive tri-suit that you can wear under your wetsuit. You won't have to change for the rest of the race. You can bike and run in your tri-suit. There is no advantage to paying hundreds if dollars for a pair of sunglasses. However sunglasses are essential to protect your eyes from flying debris and bugs during your bike rides. Sun or not, you will need sunglasses. Buy a pair for $19.99 or something along those lines. Try and find a pair that are shaded yellow. I say yellow because even on an overcast day they will brighten things up while protecting your eyes.
There is no denying the beginner triathlete is looking at a costly endeavor when considering taking a run at their very first Ironman distance race. This is especially true with the world-wide recession that has impacted so many people. The entry fee is high, bikes, wetsuits and other tri-gear are expensive, and just getting yourself to the race and finding a place to stay has to be taken into account. Let's not forget about coaching for the beginner triathlete who is completely new to the sport, fitness club membership fees, and all that pool time that has to be payed for. Then of course there are all those special drinks, vitamins, gels, powders, and other magic elixirs that will make you faster than a speeding bullet. Well, if you believe all the hype.
Kaitlynn's thoughts drift in the waning light to mounting fears that she usually does not have. Her worst fear is that very large bugs might crawl out of the upstairs bathtub drain, emerging from the filth inside the neglected pipes. As the sinister bugs climb over the grimy bathtub, she feels certain they will find her while she innocently sleeps in the dirty house. The imagined large bugs resemble bizarre, aggressive insect creatures Replica Ray Ban Sunglasses, and ultimately only reflect her frightened state of mind.
As far as what to wear on race-day...Well first of all Replica Okley Sunglasses Buying '80s Vintage Sungl, you can most likely rent a wetsuit. This is especially wise if you only plan on taking part in one Ironman. Otherwise you will spend 5 or 6 hundred dollars and it will hang in your closet for 20 years after the race. You really don't have to train all year in a wetsuit. Maybe rent one for a tune-up race as you prepare for the Ironman just so you can see what it feels like and what size fits you best. Then just rent one for the Ironman.
So if you are a beginner triathlete on a shoestring budget don't obsess about not having the money for a bike to do your Ironman. Buy what you can afford. Buy used if necessary. There's not much of a market for used tri-bikes so the advantage goes to the buyer...buy used, buy used, buy used...I don't know how else to put it. Spend 3 or 5 hundred bucks instead of $3000 and save yourself a ton of money. This is especially wise if you only want one shot at the Ironman and are not making a career out of it.
I've created a website called "Ironstruck." The main purpose is to provide training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman. come for a visit...... http://www.ironstruck.ca
So if you really want your shot at the Ironman but are on a strict budget, it's very possible to succeed. Simply buy what you can afford and at the end of the day when you cross that Ironman finish line, it will make your accomplishment all that more amazing and memorable.
Keep in mind that in the early days of the Ironman, none of the current technology existed. There were no snap-in pedals, aero-bars, bike computers, and frames made of titanium and other space-age metals were still on the drawing-board somewhere. There were no fancy tri clothes to buy and as a matter of fact, just finding a pair of tri-shorts was a challenge.
The lonely twilight proves infinitely long without electricity, and Kaitlynn dreads the impending fall of darkness with her whole soul. Unable to sleep, she lies on her back on the hard wooden floor, and whispers prayers and poems in the encroaching darkness. She can't stop worrying that she might be lying on dirt and her school dress will be soiled in the morning, or that a frightening rat might emerge from one of the large holes in the walls to bite her. Possible centipedes, scorpions, and bats are concerns, as well as rabid cats or dogs seeking shelter in the dilapidated house - and even large red and black ants worry her! Abandoning her efforts to sleep, Kaitlynn merely sits on an uncomfortable dirty couch with broken springs pushing up through the cover. Her small, tired back is hunched in exhausted resignation to the specter of a dark, soulless house that threatens to swallow her up.
I have also written three triathlon books. Two are for those who have an Ironman triathlon in their future. "Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey" and "Ironstruck? 500 Ironman Triathlon Questions and Answers" have been well received by the tri community.
If you enjoy my articles on Ezine, then VISIT My Ironstruck bookstore and have a look at the books that can guide you and inspire you at your begin your own journey.
My name is Ray and I've been an endurance athlete for over 30 years. I've competed in over 30 marathons, 2 --- 50 mile races, 14 Ironman triathlons and countless shorter races.