And just like that the call has been made. It's really frustrating, and I truly feel sorry for you all having gone through all this training to get so close. As you know there really was no other option for IRONMAN NZ, and they will be hurting not being able to deliver an event for you.

I've been writing these sorts of messages for a few years now as this isn't the first time an event has been postponed, and it doesn't get any easier. But don't look at it just as the race being taken away from you, there's a new date and a new focus for you now. Look at how far you have come with your training....all those hours haven't gone to waste.  Your goals are still the same, the goal posts have just been moved a bit.

So where do we go from here?...Well you are coming up to your peak fitness, and with that you've built a solid amount of fatigue. This fitness should be used for something, and off it the appropriate amount of recovery should be administered.

There are a few things you could do...

Solo event
Continue the training plan through to 5 March and look to do your own event. You could do a 3.8km swim, 180km bike, but I would suggest just only doing up to 30km for the run. There's no need to go the full 42.2km, save this for your next IRONMAN race day. Logistically a full distance IM in training takes a lot to prepare for with regard to aid stations along the way. Also the recovery from the extra 12km of running could take a lot longer than you expect, and might hinder your preparation for the next thing you plan for.

Local Triathlons/Xterra Tri/Marathon/Cycling events
There are still plenty of events going ahead, you just have to look around for them. Use this fitness you have gained to good use and enter something you would have normally due to the fact you would have been recovering from IRONMAN.  Support those races that have been able to get a race out, and line up to show how fit and strong you have become while training for an IRONMAN.

IRONMAN Australia or IRONMAN Cairns
Now that International travel is opening up for us these races offer a great opportunity to put your fitness to good use. IRONMAN Australia is in the beginning of May, so if you're thinking of doing that now then get in touch with us so we can help you prepare a Training Plan for it.
If you're looking at IRONMAN Cairns we have a 12 week plan rolling out on March 14 2022 that you can sign up to. It will be a similar format to the IRONMAN NZ plan, but specific to the IRONMAN Cairns course, which I have raced a few times and really enjoyed. I will be sending out some information soon on how to sign up for that Training Plan.

Look forward to training for the 10 December event
The dream of running down the IRONMAN NZ finish line definitely isn't over, it's just been postponed. So look at this point in time as a hurdle to get to the finish line and take the opportunity to work on weaknesses you know were holding you back in the training.
Do you need to work on your swim technique, how's your core or general strength, have you got a niggling running injury, do you want to improve your nutritional habits? Now you have a good amount of time to work on these before starting the training for the December event.
We will kick off the 30 Week Training Plan for the 10 December event on 15 May 2022, so look out for when that's coming out to join up to.

Just remember to give yourself a good week off from training after March 5 when you would normally be recovering from IRONMAN. A solid block of IRONMAN training has to be followed by a decent amount of recovery time.