Anyone considering an Ironman asks this question, and in most cases the answer is “yes.” But, the real question is: “Will I prioritize Ironman training highly enough to spend 70% of my free time on it?”
Time is a fixed constant. We each have about 16 waking hours a day, which we largely spend on non-negotiable priorities such as work and family. On average we each have about 20 hours of discretionary “free” time per week.
Time Required for Training
Training for a full-distance Ironman requires an average of 14 hours per week, over the course of six months (this includes time for traveling, stretching, prepping gear, etc.). Most training plans involve working out six days a week, with at least two days of long biking and running workouts (up to a high four to six hours in a single workout).
So the more specific questions are: (1) Can we dedicate 14 of our 20 free hours a week to Ironman training? and, (2) Can we integrate two 4-6 hour blocks of training into our lives each week? While this may seem oppressive, the reality is that most of us *can* do it if we’re willing to trade-off other things we’re doing with our free time.
“Making” Time
The reality is that most of us waste remarkable amounts of time. While we all do purposeful activities for fun and relaxation (e.g., concerts, dinners with friends, hiking), we also spend countless hours on mindless activities that are at best unproductive and at worst harmful (browsing the internet, scrolling through social media, and mindlessly watching TV). These activities are a prime area from which to “make time” for training.
We should start by opening up our Screentime (Apple) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) apps to see how just how much time we’re squandering on our phones. On average, we’re on our phones for 5.4 hours a day. Even assuming some of that time is productive, we’re wasting an average of almost 2.5 hours a day – 17.5 hours a week – on social media. That alone is more than the time required to train for the Ironman. If we layer on time spent mindlessly watching TV, shopping online, or drinking alcohol, we can see that we *have* plenty of wasted time that could be reallocated to Ironman training.
Dealing with Disruptions to Routine
Aside from the number of hours required, Ironman training entails two long weekly sessions that are disruptive to any semblance of life routine. These are a long run of two to four hours and a long ride or ride/run “Brick” workout of four to six hours. Both are big time commitments that will undoubtedly affect core priorities like work and family time.
We can, however, make adjustments that minimize disruption. For example, I often start my long run workouts at 5am on Friday mornings and start work a bit late. I do my long bike / Brick workouts on Saturday mornings while my wife cares for our children. On Sundays I’ll then take the kids to do something fun while she has free time of her own. We can each try to find a plan that makes sense for ourselves and our families.
Still, no matter how hard we try to avoid it, there are times when training becomes a conflicting priority. It’s difficult to prioritize training when our kids are begging us to go to the zoo, or when our spouse is frustrated that we’re not there for an outing with friends. This is where the proverbial rubber meets the road and life tests our ability and desire to prioritize training.
Key Questions to Answer
There’s no easy way to gauge in advance whether we can prioritize training in light of these factors, but we should start by honestly answering three questions:
- Do I enjoy swimming, cycling and running enough that I’m willing to dedicate 70% of my “free time” to intense training for six months?
- Am I willing to prioritize difficult physical training, at the expense of other hobbies, fun activities, and mindless pleasures?
- Are training and the resulting mental and physical benefits important enough to me that I’m willing to sacrifice time with family, friends, hobbies, and work?
If the honest answer to all of those questions is yes, then we can prioritize training highly enough and we do “have the time” to train for an Ironman. Making the decision to commit to training for an Ironman is the critical first step down a long, arduous, and ultimately rewarding path. Let’s get moving.