I was considering doing a double iron distance race, but have no idea where to start. I have one IM under my belt and should have another by this time next year. Does anyone know of training plans for ultra triathlons or coaches the specialize in that distance?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tom
No suggestions, just HOLY CRAP! Good luck!
Gordo has lots of great stuff on his site. Not sure if he is still coaching though. I would think an early spring IM and then late Fall IM would certainly be doable.
If you PM me I can point you in the right direction.
Tom…
I dabble in the ultras and am taking on only 3 athletes next season. If you need some help email me (not pm, not able to get here as often as I like).
If you haven’t picked the double yet, I here the new one in Austria is really fun.
If you haven’t set your eyes on the double, there will be a new triple in Austria as well next year.
Good luck either way…they are VERY doable…and a ton of fun!
~eileen
Hello Eileen,
I haven’t heard anything about a triple in Austria. Please let me know!
There’s a double every year in May.
There’s a great triple in Lensahn Germany.
I was considering doing a double iron distance race, but have no idea where to start. I have one IM under my belt and should have another by this time next year. Does anyone know of training plans for ultra triathlons or coaches the specialize in that distance?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Don’t overthink it as the training isn’t that much different to Ironman…
Swim—Get strong so the long swim doesn’t affect your bike
Bike —Get strong and used to riding through the night(learn to eat real food while riding)
Run–Chances are that you won’t be “running” most of the double marathon so don’t spend extra time on the run training when you could spend that valuable time biking…(disregard that advice if you are one of the rare few who are actually able to run after 14hrs+ of other stuff)…
Again,don’t overthink it!!
what double ironman would require you to ride through the night?
I did my first double in March. It was the one in Florida and it was a blast! I didn’t know what I was doing and got through it just fine. Did some things right, did some things wrong. There’s actually a training guide out now which I wish I had known about. Probably would have saved me a few hours.
http://www.beyondtheiron.com/
Crossfit.
what double ironman would require you to ride through the night?
Virginia,Tampa and Monterrey will involve night riding…
Levis used to start at weird times due to tides…
I’ll be doing the Virginia Double in october, i did a slow build up, LA marathon in march, utah ironman in may, rest, then hit i hard till august, rested, and now i’m going hard for another 2 weeks then tailing it off a week or week n a half prior to the race, if / hopefully when, I finish I’ll pm you what i’ve been doing to prep for the race 
So far the only ‘crazy’ thing i’ve done, asside from the sheer volume of running and biking milleage was a 200 mile bike in July from SD to LA and back in 1 sitting. Other than that it’s been open water 2-3 mile swims, 100 mile bike here n there (east San Diego w/ plenty of hills) and no longer than 16 mile runs, just frequent 16 mile runs, like back to back, running is my least favorite and I find that I burn out quickly when I run too often, but that’s just me, ok I’m rambling now, after virginia in october i’ll let you know how it all worked out.
I’ll be doing the Virginia Double in october, i did a slow build up, LA marathon in march, utah ironman in may, rest, then hit i hard till august, rested, and now i’m going hard for another 2 weeks then tailing it off a week or week n a half prior to the race, if / hopefully when, I finish I’ll pm you what i’ve been doing to prep for the race So far the only ‘crazy’ thing i’ve done, asside from the sheer volume of running and biking milleage was a 200 mile bike in July from SD to LA and back in 1 sitting. Other than that it’s been open water 2-3 mile swims, 100 mile bike here n there (east San Diego w/ plenty of hills) and no longer than 16 mile runs, just frequent 16 mile runs, like back to back, running is my least favorite and I find that I burn out quickly when I run too often, but that’s just me, ok I’m rambling now, after virginia in october i’ll let you know how it all worked out.
Wow, talk about a blast from the past. It’s been 6 years since I wrote this post.
isignay, Good luck in Virginia. Glad to see another San Diegan doing the double. I ended up doing the double in 2007 and then did the triple in 2009. I may go back and do the triple again. Maybe next year if I can find the time to train. Plus the idea of riding around Lake Murray doesn’t appeal to me like it did a few years ago
Again, Good luck and have fun
You Frenchies are crazy!
I remember reading an article in French tri mag a few years back. Philippe Dieumegarde (appropriate name for that kind
of event) used to do things like:
Hey Frenchy - the post was in 2005. Wildpanner’s crew put on a double and triple I think for 2 or 3 yrs in a row in Austria - I believe starting in 2005 as I remember them telling me about it in Hawaii 2004. They even did team 2x and 3x (and I want to say other races - but my memory is a little jumbled). I don’t know why the race isn’t still going on, my only guess is the excitement was around Luis wildpanner breaking all the records and I don’t know if he even races anymore.
There was also a 2x only once in Dubai, France had a 2x and 3x in the early 00’s. Of course Canada used to have 2x and Alabama USA - is where Don and Dawn Mann got their 2x from for Virginia. Switzerlands inaugural 2x is next weekend. Slovenia (sp?) and hungary also have 2x too. Englands got some events they do too - but they haven’t been a part of the iuta series. At the end of the month sicily’s one a days (5x and 10x) starts. Bet they’d let u do any variation of that race if u asked them.
There are the two 3xs (iuta series) of just Lensahn Germany (my favorite) and Virginia. Virginia is unique in that u can team it. Germany is just a nonstop party.
That’s all the history my brain can handle right now - hope it helped!
To the q what double ride through the night - all of them. Even the record breakers hit night time - well except maybe the record holder who got off at dusk. The only way to avoid night riding is one a days events aka stage races. Cut offs run anywhere from 30 hrs to 38.
I’ve never raced one so I work the race backwards to figure out how much time I can goof off and nap or just enjoy the family atmosphere that comes with the events. Doubles are one of my favorites, and I really feel anyone thats done an iron can most likely pull off a double. With the caveat that protein intake is really important, you can get into trouble quickly if u don’t manage nutrition. The triple is where you step into time budgeting and grumpiness with lack of sleep.
Considering the Tampa Double Iron. What training plan were you referencing?
At first glance, the link looks like I have to buy something? I was trying to find a go-by plan (on the cheap), not purchase something. But thanks.