Edmonton Triathlon Academy

It is the lifelong dream of many triathletes to be able to enter the Ironman World Championships as some point in their life. What must a triathlete do in order to be able to enter the Ironman World Championships? There are three different ways to be selected to enter the Ironman World Championship as laid out by the body that governs the event. The first way to enter is by earning a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events that are held all over the globe. The second option is to be selected through the Ironman Lottery Program. Finally, you can also get a spot in the World championships if you win a slot in the Ironman EBay charitable auction.

Races that qualify an individual to participate in the Ironman World Championships can either be the Half Ironman course or one of the full Ironman events that require a 2.4-mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Ironman events are divided into divisions based on age group, physical challenges, and the use of hand cycles.

The actual number of participants from each age group determines all of the final slots that will be allocated to the World Championships based on a given race. An individual must appear in person to claim their slot for the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. It is important to keep in mind that any unclaimed spots are rolled down to the next qualifier in an age group, and that is why many individuals who are not sure if they qualify still choose to head to Hawaii every year on the chance that they may be able to qualify for the Ironman World Championship based on a roll down.

If you want to qualify for the Ironman World Championships, you first need to compete in the Half Ironman or Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Like any triathlon the Ironman 70.3 consists of a swimming, cycling, and running portion. Triathletes must swim for 1.2 miles, cycle for 56 miles, and run for 13.1 miles. This is a truly grueling athletic contest, so of course proper training in advance is a must. Working with a trainer and getting started with preparation early is the best way to ensure that you can complete the triathlon once you sign up for it.

There are a number of Half Ironman events held all over the world throughout the year, so if you are interested in competing in an event you have options for any month of the year and from every continent on the globe. Many who participate regularly in triathlons have used attending different events as a way to see the world. All of the official events put participants in the running to participate in the Ironman World Championships, which are held in Kona, Hawaii every year.

The Half Ironman or Ironman 70.3 started in 2006, but since its inception it has quickly become one of the fastest growing triathlons in the world. With over 50 events located worldwide, the Ironman 70.3 seems positioned to keep on growing. If you are interested in entering a Half Ironman triathlon you do well to visit the official site to get the information that you need about registration, course layout, and travel to and from the event location. Along with registering for a triathlon, now is the time to begin training and entering smaller triathlons so that you are prepared to complete your first Half Ironman.

If you are training for your first triathlon it is important to begin with reasonable expectations.  Many first time triathletes start out with unreasonable expectations, and this causes them to burn themselves out very quickly.  Instead it is a much better idea to set reasonable goals and start training for your triathlon far enough in advance that you reach your reasonable goals.  For example, if you are planning to compete in an Ironman competition it is recommended that you start your training at least 20 weeks in advance of the actual event.

Triathlon training can be intense, especially if you are really out of shape.  In order to get the most benefit out of your training and to help you stay motivated it is a good idea to have a partner or a trainer working with you.  You also need to be realistic about the time that you have available for training.  Most training programs require that you set aside anywhere from four to ten hours a week for training fro the duration of the training period.

Training for a triathlon is an excellent way to get in the best shape that you have ever been in.  Competing in a triathlon is also an excellent way to put your mind and body to the test.  Just entering a triathlon puts you into special territory, and being able to say that you actually completed a triathlon is an accomplishment that you can be proud of for a lifetime.  Remember that a big part of successfully competing in a triathlon is advance planning, so if entering a triathlon is something that you have always wanted to do now is the time to start preparing and training.