How to become an Ironman Triathlete

In the world of the Ironman challenge, it is a very rare phenomenon for someone to finish the race without doing any form of preparation or Ironman training. It takes a lot of hard work, patience and perseverance to just to prepare for the challenge, let alone complete the actual race.


Even the most seasoned triathlete or Olympic runner will find joining an Ironman challenge to be quite a feat. Most even commit the mistake of overtraining simply because it’s the only advice being given when it comes to preparing for this extreme endurance sport. So, before you grab your personalized running shirts and other running gear, here are a few things that you need to know in order to maximize your training:

1.) Biking doesn’t have to involve the outdoors – One of the legs in a triathlon event is biking; the other legs being running and swimming. Most people would think that it’s important to delve into the actual environment of the race by training outdoors. While this is not exactly a bad thing, it can be counter-productive to your training. By biking indoors, you can avoid getting heat-stroke (assuming your body is not yet able to adapt to the heat), traffic and even other training impediments.

2.) Improve your swimming technique – During training, a lot of people neglect their technique. Your technique will make a huge difference in training for and completing an Ironman challenge. I have seen a lot of people fail in Ironman challenges because they got poor swimming techniques. Proper swimming technique will allow a person to be less susceptible to fatigue because they know how to execute proper hand entry and exit and breathing techniques. Getting out of the water is very crucial if you want to complete the challenge; if you have doubts on your technique, you can hire a swimming coach to help you improve your technique.

3.) Bike and run without overtraining – A lot of people make the mistake of overtraining, especially in running. It’s not necessary for you to do high intensity runs for miles every single day; you are just going to wear yourself out before the race. When you bike outdoors, you can also transition to running for a couple of blocks just so you can get used to switching from biking to running and vice versa.

You need to make sure that body can handle the extreme stress from an Ironman challenge so that’s why it’s important for you to consult with your physician before you start training. By training properly and effectively, you can avoid unwanted injuries and maladies from training and during the actual race.

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3 Choices of Running Shirts

Running shirts are a definite must-have for every runner. Unlike your ordinary sweatshirt or even plain shirt, a running shirt is made up of fabrics that can help keep a runner cool by dissipating heat and moisture. Most custom running shirts also have fabrics designed to protect their users from UV rays and helps prevent body odor, chafing and blisters. There are numerous manufacturers that produce running shirts and marathon apparels with different benefits and features to a particular user.

I am going to point out 3 of the best brands of running shirts to help you make the best decision when it comes to purchasing your personalized running shirts:

Mountain Hardwear Colchuck Jersey – this running shirt is made up of Antimicrobial yarn in a polyester blend which will help absorb sweat and moisture away from your body as well as keeping the body cool while running in warm temperatures. While its fabric offers odor fighting features, it lacks UV protection for its user. The shirt is designed with a zipper in front which not only makes the shirt trendy but also regulates the temperature.

Patagonia Airius T-shirt – this particular brand is made up of the EVOH fabric. This fabric contains ceramic components which allow you to stay cool even while running on hot temperatures. This shirt also offers UV protection and prevents chafing. Most runners have complimented this brand of customized running shirts for its comfort.

Pearl Izumi Fly Top – The Pearl Izumi Fly Top is made of Polypropylene material which absorbs sweat from your body as well as keeping you cool. The fabric is also designed to help keep moisture away from your body and the shirt’s underarms contain mesh panels for additional temperature regulation. Despite its features, a lot of runners have complained about its size and tightness.

Even if you want to stay away from these expensive brands, you can use their features as basis when it comes to buying your own set of personalized running shirts. For more information about the best custom running shirts in the USA, visit MyRaceRagz at www.myraceragz.com.