Beginner to Ironman in 5 Months: Running Focus

About this episode

Lou Kelly reflects on the final week of training for an Ironman, focusing on the running discipline and the mental challenges faced.

One week out from race day, I dive into the final discipline of the Ironman: The Run. After a lifetime of running for PB times and headspace, I reflect on the humbling reality of training for a marathon that starts after 180km of cycling. From the "syrup-leg" feeling of brick runs to the mental toll of losing speed to gain endurance, this episode is a candid look at the physical and psychological shift required to become an Ironman runner. Welcome to the Ironman Diaries: 1 Week to Go! My Running History: From University Half-Marathons to 3:20 Fulls. The Identity Crisis: Runner vs. Triathlete. Lesson 1: When your passion becomes a chore. Lesson 2: Letting go of the "Runner Self" and chasing new paces. Lesson 3: The Zone 2 Survival Guide (Audiobooks, Fuel, and Shoes). Lesson 4: The "Brick Run" experience (Running through syrup). The "Brick Run Banana" and fuelling for the 42.2km finish. What’s next? Weight gain, gadgets, and pre-race tears. Prioritise the Weakness: Because running was a strength, it often got the "leftover" energy after cycling sets, turning a hobby into a chore. Acknowledge this mental fatigue early. Release the…

People in this episode

Host: Lou Kelly

Topics covered

• Ironman training
• marathon running
• mental endurance
• brick runs
• athlete identity

Keywords

• Ironman
• running
• marathon
• training
• endurance

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Ironman Diaries

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