If I could have one thing after all the training I did Ironman in recent years, become of the thousands of laps I did in the pool in hopes of attempt to resolve the fastest swim time.

If you are an age grouper or a novice Ironman, there really is no point spending hours and hours in the pool if it is at the point where you can easily manage the distance. To devote your valuable training time to complete the swim of 4 or 5 minutes faster is very poor return on your investment of time.

It seems that there are many Ironman athletes out there that push so hard in the bathroom. The excess energy that burns in this first stage is simply not recoverable and will not be there for cycling and running.

I firmly believe the reason why many people against the wall the marathon, it's because they spend so much in the bathroom. The bike leg finishes the job just the exhaustion of its resources.

No medal for swimming fast. No There is not a shirt if swim fast and do not cross the finish line. Even being the first out of the water does not mean much is you can not put three events together.

Take For example, Kona, 1984. The winner was swimmer Djan Madruga. You may be wondering, "Who the hell is it?" My point exactly. Djan was a swimmer world class and defeated the likes of Dave Scott, Mark Tinley and Mark Allen out of the water that day. His swim time was 47:48. However, Djan ran a 4:47 marathon and Dave Scott performed a 2:53.

This is where my theory comes up for an Ironman, and his energy, strength and endurance are contained in a glass filled with water when the starting gun sounds.

Try to avoid spending through the glass of water before you even get on the bike. This means that the vessel may well be until the last quarter — or so, even before putting on your running shoes. I think there is a direct relationship between the shuffle and a poorly executed Ironman swim.

I remember the race where I finally began to understand the pace and the best way to nurse that all important glass of water until the last mile of the marathon.

It began with learning to swim easier – or – more efficient, not faster. I've learned to relax in the water and use looooonnnng, smoooooth, strokes. I could not believe how good I felt in swimming cycling transition. Probably use less than a quarter of the glass energy.

During the first 40 km. I let the bike into the rhythm of changes in the demands of my body before it was installed at race pace felt that could have on the 140 km remaining.

I could not "believe" the race. Usually, it was a struggle of miles one. This time I seemed to settle in a pace that could keep from the beginning and the tiny voice always told me to walk because it hurt so much, never appeared.

To my point of emphasis, I remember starting to count athletes who passed as the marathon progressed. It was a way to keep my mind busy and when I got to 350 that had happened, just stop counting, because it became a task that had many.

Needless to say everyone who was either going faster than me in the bathroom, on the bike, or transition — or all three. The whole point is, it does not matter how fast you were until then if you are walking now. Why spend hours and hours to learn to swim faster if you walk most of the marathon?

Just do the math. To say I am running a 8:15 pace as I did That same year, from beginning to end and pass someone at kilometer 10 and have already begun to walk and end up walking most of the marathon? Probably cross the line finish about 2 hours after me. That is the same person who swam biked faster and quicker than me. I had half a glass of water on the left and empties in sixteen kilometer marathon.

I think the best place to empty the glass is about 1 kilometer from the finish line. Its there that the fan support has grown to enormous proportions, and most importantly of all you can hear the race announcer at the finish line. These two events will take you to the finish line. At that point, nothing will stop him.

I also think its better to be white, just before the goal, because like me, if you finish and feel comfortable and have a quick recovery, it is likely that crossed the line with a crystal room left.

And hey! You do not want to wonder years down the road if you leave something in the course of that day.

My name is Ray and I’ve been an endurance athlete for over 30 years. I’ve competed in over 30 marathons, 2 — 50 mile races, 14 Ironman triathlons and countless shorter races.

Currently both of my Ironstruck books are in the top ten of the 3000 titles that are featured on the Mindset triathlon website. They can be downloaded quickly and inexpensively and you will have instant access to the information and no shipping costs ever.

If my articles that you have read on EzineArticles have been helpful and given you information you find useful and inspirational, then you will love my books. They have helped many triathletes around the world realize their dream of crossing the Ironman finish line…Visit Mindset and help put Ironstruck “the books” on top of the list where they belong… http://www.mindsettriathlon.com

I’ve also created a website called “Ironstruck.” The main purpose is to provide training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman.

come for a visit… http://ironstruck.ca

EPIC fixed gear bike race in downtown Auckland City, NZ

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