The off season has began but it is always a great time to think about your 2019 Triathlon Season. Have you figured out what race you want to do? Have you figured out your season? Most people have but if you are getting ready for an Ironman race and you haven’t signed up for one, chances are the a lot of the Ironman races in the US are full. Ironman AZ 2015 filled up on the spot in AZ and people online couldn’t even get in.

As you sit on the computer looking at Ironman.com to figure out your race schedule, there are 5 questions you should ask yourself before you sign up for an Ironman and your success at the race. This is what I came up with…

What Ironman Should I Do?

1. Do you want to swim in the river, ocean or a lake?
2. Do you like flats, hills or mountains on the bike?
3. Do you want 2-3 loops on the run? Flat or hilly?
4. Do you want to train during the winter, spring, fall or summer?
5. Do you want to travel via flight or car?

Let me break them down for you…

1. Do you want to swim in the river, ocean or a lake?

You need to ask yourself,  “How comfortable are you in the open water?” Did you grow up swimming in a nasty lake and the thought of ugly fish and sharks DON’T bother you? Pick an ocean swim. Did you grow up swimming in the community pool and the thought of swimming with ugly fish and sharks bother you? I would pick a river or a lake.

Ironman FL is one of my FAVORITE Ironman races BUT you are swimming in the ocean. Florida was canceled in 2014 due to high rip tides, so it wouldn’t have been safe for anyone. Ironman Mont Tremblant and Boulder are in a lake. Are those swims wetsuit swims? (Most of the time, yes). Is the water too cold? Sometimes that can play a huge role on athletes, is the cold water.  Let’s look at Ironman Texas. You start off in a lake but then it narrows down to the river. Will you feel claustrophobic? Those are some of the thoughts that I have before I sign up for an Ironman.