30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON
220 Triathlon|June 2024
Nervously edging closer to your first full-distance triathlon? These tips will help send you to the finish line safe and sound...
30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON

Been inspired to do an iron-distance triathlon for the first time? We're here to help. And while we can't guarantee you'll be swimming exactly like Lucy Charles-Barclay, biking like Magnus Ditlev or running like Anne Haug, we can provide the knowledge you'll need to help make your first full-distance an enjoyable success.

The great news is that whether you want to go full M-Dot with the Iron man brand, or fancy a smaller, local race in the UK, there's plenty of choice. But deciding where you want to make your debut is just the start. If race day is the celebration, then the journey to the start-line is often the real achievement. Taking charge of logistics, training and recovery has to fit around often already busy lives, and it demands some clear thinking and a willingness to be flexible, as not everything will always go to plan.

But when you get it right it makes crossing that finish line all the sweeter, and to help you on your way we've provided 30 of the most important tips for the first-time Iron man. So let's get cracking...

01 PICK A RACE THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU 

Triathletes are spoilt for choice with iron-distance races these days, from pancake-flat sunkissed drag strips to windy and hilly challenges and exotic climes that you'd struggle to find on a map. Consider what you - and your supporters - will enjoy first time out.

02 PLANEARLY

It's not just about the race. If you're travelling afar, do you want to acclimatise beforehand or have downtime afterwards? Or both? Think flights, insurance, bike boxes, a spare derailleur hanger, hotels... Then put your feet up in compression socks, knowing it's all done.

03 HAVE A TRAINING PLAN

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2024 من 220 Triathlon.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2024 من 220 Triathlon.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من 220 TRIATHLON مشاهدة الكل
THE MULTISPORT MAVERICK
220 Triathlon

THE MULTISPORT MAVERICK

Bike powerhouse Andrew Starykowicz has done things his own way for the length of his 15-year pro career. Now, on the eve of his retirement, he looks back on the lessons learned along the way

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2024
HOW CONTRAST CAN LEAD TO PERFORMANCE GAINS
220 Triathlon

HOW CONTRAST CAN LEAD TO PERFORMANCE GAINS

While volume and consistency are the cornerstones of endurance fitness, contrast and variability can play a key part of your training. Here, Ben explains how

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024
SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS
220 Triathlon

SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS

WITH THE LAUNCH OF AN INNOVATIVE NEW 'SWIMSTRAIGHT' FUNCTION ON FORM'S SMART SWIM 2 GOGGLES, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY BEING ABLE TO SWIM IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OPEN-WATER SWIMMERS..

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
GROUP TEST OPEN-WATER GOGGLES
220 Triathlon

GROUP TEST OPEN-WATER GOGGLES

Finding the right pair of goggles can make or break your open-water swim. Luckily, we have a whopping 14 pairs on test this issue! It can be tempting to skimp on your open-water goggles and just use the same ones you've had in your kit bag all winter for pool swimming.

time-read
10 mins  |
June 2024
BUYER'S GUIDE BUDGET TRI-SUITS
220 Triathlon

BUYER'S GUIDE BUDGET TRI-SUITS

You don’t have to break the bank to break your PB. Here are seven suits that claim three-discipline comfort and speed. Do they live up to their promises?

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2024
MID-RANGE WETSUITS
220 Triathlon

MID-RANGE WETSUITS

We included entry-level wetsuits in last month’s mag, but what do you get if'you move up a tier..? We tried 10 suits in the mid-range to find out.

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2024
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS
220 Triathlon

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS

You've started open-water swimming, spent hours on the bike and acclimatised to running on jelly legs. But what about transitions? The devil's in the detail here and those details could save you minutes on race day. So, here’s how to nail them...

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2024
THE TRAILBLAZER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
220 Triathlon

THE TRAILBLAZER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

It’s 100 years since Alfonsina Strada became the first and only woman to complete the men’s Giro d'Italia. Thanks to new women’s triathlon and cycling apparel brand Alfonsina, we reflect on the exploits of this incredible pioneer...

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2024
30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON
220 Triathlon

30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON

Nervously edging closer to your first full-distance triathlon? These tips will help send you to the finish line safe and sound...

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2024
"WE HAVE A UNIQUE SIBLING BOND THAT MAKES RACING SPECIAL"
220 Triathlon

"WE HAVE A UNIQUE SIBLING BOND THAT MAKES RACING SPECIAL"

Tia Watson is just 17 but she’s a recordbreaker already with a little help from her incredible brother, Rio...

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024