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Can You be a Fast Ironman?

Saturday, 22 October 2016 23:10

Scientists noted the common features in the best Ironman racers.

By Susan Lacke (triathlon.competitor.com)

Are there variables that can predict an athlete’s success at long-course triathlon? Scientists in Switzerland say yes. In a review of 76 studies on Ironman triathletes, researchers noted common themes in determining a successful outcome at the 140.6 distance...

Age

On average, the age of a best Ironman triathlon performance was between 30 and 35 years for both male and female athletes. Don’t fret about aging—studies also show the average age of peak performance is increasing every year.

Body type

Lower body mass and lower body fat are associated with both a faster Ironman race and a faster run split. As for shape, slender body structures tend to fare better than stocky ones.

Training

Faster finishers (those under 10 hours and 30 minutes) tend to average greater training volumes than slower finishers. On average, the faster men and women trained approximately 14 hours per week, broken down into 2.5 hours of swimming, 7.5 hours of cycling and 4 hours of running.  READ MORE