Your First
Ironman
Swim 2.4 miles. Bike 112 miles. Run 26.2 miles. Our coaches help you conquer your first Ironman — from training through the finish line.
Apply for Coaching →What Ironman Demands
The Ironman distance isn't just a longer triathlon — it's a different animal entirely. A 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run demand 10–17 hours of disciplined racing. Your training needs to prepare you across three sports while building the aerobic capacity, mental toughness, and fueling strategy to sustain that effort.
Most Ironman training takes 6–12 months, depending on your current fitness and experience. Our coaches build personalized plans that balance all three disciplines, teach you how to transition smoothly between sports, develop nutrition strategies that work for your gut and your race, and prepare you mentally for the finish line. We don't just train you for the distance — we train you to become an Ironman.
Our coaches will know you personally. They will watch your data. They will protect you from injury, burnout, and overtraining that is all too common when athletes set big goals and try to follow a PDF document. There are times when the best thing you can do is NOT do the workout — and most athletes left to their own decision-making would push through. No online program is going to encourage rest. Our coaches know that bringing out your best isn't just about following a plan. It's about coaching in the moment.
Not sure if Ironman coaching is right for you? Schedule a quick Q&A call with our coaches and talk through your goals.
Swim 2.4.
Bike 112.
Run 26.2.
Finish as one
Wondering how 6–12 months of Ironman training actually works in a busy life? Our coaches build plans that adapt to your schedule and life.
Apply for Coaching →
Brent Pease
Head Coach, 29029 Mountain Events
Brent brings decades of personal Ironman racing experience and an unmatched ability to build comprehensive training plans that balance swim, bike, and run. He understands the physical and mental demands of the Ironman distance and knows how to build the durability and resilience you'll need on race day.
"Brent didn't just train me for an Ironman — he prepared me to finish one. He built my confidence through meticulous planning, managed my taper perfectly, and on race day I executed exactly what we'd rehearsed. Crossed the finish line stronger than I expected. This is the coach who gets it."— Maria L., 38 · Ironman Finisher · Ironman Florida 2025
Everything You Need to Know About Ironman Coaching
How long do I need to train for an Ironman?
Most athletes benefit from 6–12 months of focused Ironman training, depending on their current fitness and experience with endurance sports. If you're completely new to triathlon, add another 3–6 months building a foundation across all three disciplines first. Your coach assesses where you are and builds a timeline that gets you to the start line healthy, confident, and race-ready.
Do I need to be a swimmer?
You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you do need to be comfortable in the water. Many of our Ironman athletes started as weak swimmers and became proficient through coached training. We focus on efficient, repeatable swimming technique that conserves energy for the 112 miles that follow. Most athletes can develop sufficient swim fitness in 4–6 months of regular training.
How many hours per week for Ironman training?
Ironman training typically requires 12–18 hours per week at peak, spread across six training days. Early training phases require fewer hours; the volume builds gradually. Your coach scales the plan to fit your life — we've coached Ironman athletes working full-time, raising families, and managing full schedules. The key is consistency over time, not crushing yourself in individual workouts.
Can I do an Ironman as my first triathlon?
Technically yes, but we usually recommend building a triathlon foundation first — even just a sprint or Olympic distance race. This teaches you how your body handles transitions, how to fuel during racing, and builds confidence in all three sports before you commit to 10+ hours on course. That said, if you have a solid running and cycling base, Ironman training can work with the right coach and timeline.
Triathlon Coaching at 29029
Sprint tri, Olympic distance, 70.3, full Ironman — our coaches build plans for every distance. Each demands different training, different pacing, and different race strategy. Whether you're picking your first triathlon or training for your biggest goal yet, we approach it the same way: with a coach who knows you, knows your race, and builds a plan that fits how you train and how you live.
Read the Full Triathlon Coaching Guide →Train with Our Coaches
Triathlon coaching starts with a conversation. Tell us about your goal, your current fitness, and your timeline. We'll match you with the right coach and build a plan that gets you to the start line ready to execute.
Not sure which coach is right for you? Take the quiz →