Discover the Ironman in you at the mega sporting event in Goa this October

More than just a marathon, the Ironman triathlon is an endurance test for body, mind and soul; participating in it could put you behind by quite a sum, but worth the money if you come up trumps

Touted as the world's toughest endurance test to measure physical fitness, Ironman, the mega sporting event involving swimming, cycling and running in rapid succession, is wending its way into India this October.

The event has two formats or levels -- the 'Half Ironman' and the 'Full Ironman'. In the first variant, the participant is given a maximum of eight-and-a half-hours to swim 1.9 km, cycle 90 km and run 21.1 km. The Full Ironman, on the other hand, requires you to swim 3.8 km, do 180 km on bicycle and then run 42.2 km in a cut off time of 17 hours. 

The contest, copyrighted by the World Triathlon Corporation, is held in over 30 countries. It draws contestants from different walks of life, age groups and nationalities, but with a common desire to challenge themselves. At 50, model-actor Milind Soman was in the news when he won the Ironman title in Zurich, Switzerland. Suraj Walia, Business Leader at MetLife GSS, recently completed the Full Ironman in Malaysia in 15 hours, as against the stipulated 17. Says Walia: “It's a mind game that tests physical and mental endurance to the hilt. Winning it gives you a new high.” A long-time endurance runner, he says Ironman was the toughest triathlon he had participated in, as it challenged him to get out of his comfort zone.

Says Nikhil Kapur, who founded Pune-based Atmantan Wellness Centre, who has participated in it quite a few times: “There was a lot of excitement during the training phase especially while watching older race videos on YouTube." Kapur says he has been able to do the training and the actual course without sustaining any injuries. 

"My family, friends and others appreciate my resolve to complete five Ironman events. But the best part was meeting some very inspiring people at the races, such as a 58-year-old American woman who was doing it for the first time at Zurich, and a 75-year-old man in Auckland who was doing his ninth ironman," Kapur says.

Getting ready

The event is extreme and cannot be undertaken without adequate preparation. So for the uninitiated, experts recommend starting small, with 5 km, 10 km or 20 km stretches. Running would be the first step and then one could move over to swimming and biking, one stream at a time, with shorter distances, gradually scaling up the endurance. Give your body enough time to prepare, don’t rush into it, say experts. Make an honest assessment of how your body is reacting to the load as you increase the kilometers. Only if your mind and body give you a thumbs up should you continue to scale. People over 35 should get some diagnostics done for the heart and pulmonary system, among other things, to ensure there is no underlying condition as you push your body. 

Training must be meticulously planned. According to Ironman Puneet Batra, entrepreneur & co-founder, Axiom Visual Communications Pvt Ltd, “Training for two hours on weekdays and three to three-and-a-half hours on weekends is needed for at least 52 weeks. A key challenge while preparing for Ironman is time management. While 2-3 hours are needed everyday for workout, office work could take 10-12 hours and family another two hours at least, so taking time out is a bit tough, as a minor tweak in routine could upset your rhythm.”

What the training costs

Another concern is availability of good equipment. Says Batra, “You have to request your friend travelling abroad to get you energy gels and  triathlon gear. Or you may have to order online. In either case you may end up paying hefty customs duty. Also, facilities aren't easy to come by. Since we are not a sporting nation our emphasis on good facilities for swimming, bike tracks is very limited. I had to travel 20-25 km in winter for a heated pool." 

Batra says a fair amount of investment is involved -- fixed and variable. The latter includes monthly costs such as coach fees, physiotherapy sessions and nutrition, while fixed would be bike, gear, gadgets and such like. The two components put together can set you back by Rs 3.5-5 lakh.”

With so much interest by Indians in the event, Ironman has finally come to the country. Miramar beach, Goa, is all set to host India’s first ever Ironman this October. And the man bringing the event to India is Deepak Raj, who has successfully completed 20 races. According to Vickram Swamy, Ironman India, “The event was sold out within a month of opening the registrations, even before the early bird offer on January 14 ended, and more than nine months ahead of the race day. We have received around 1,000 participants from 20 countries, with 10 per cent being women. Forty-five per cent of the participants are 40 years and above. The youngest is 18, and the oldest is 61 years.”

Ironman Walia, who is also now training a host of participants for Ironman Goa, gives an insight into how the event continues to be male- and affluent-centric. On being asked what kind of people are coming forward, he says it’s mostly men, and those who can afford the expensive training equipment. 

And then there is another set of people. Says Walia: “Some people have no background in sports but are fascinated enough to try something as enduring as this. A lot of them gradually start losing weight and end up attaining the milestones. Even I started my running journey by losing weight and keeping fit, and ended up becoming an Ironman -- but gradually, one step at a time.”

What it costs to participate in Ironman

Participating in Ironman events can be a costly affair, involving investments in training, equipment and accessories, event enrolment, travel cost, and more. it costs around Rs 5-6 lakh at the basic level.

• Event registration: Rs 60,000-70,000 
• Travel cost: About Rs 1.5 lakh per head to an international destination 
• Cycle: You have to carry your own bike. A road bike is highly recommended, and a reasonably good configuration should come within Rs 1.25 lakh. Those who want to splurge on brand, wheels, and electronic gear shifts could end up spending Rs 5-6 lakh.
• Coaches: Plenty are available in India now. It is advisable to sign up at least six months prior to the event. Training expense is around Rs 3,000-4,000 a month. Just make sure the coach is experienced. 
• Wetsuit/trisuit: A wet suits for the swimming leg could cost you Rs 20,000-40,000, depending on the quality or brand. Otherwise, a good triSuit can be worn for all the three legs of the race. There are plenty of options here, between Rs 5,000-15,000
• Cycle shoes: Shoes with cleats are recommended for maximum efficiency. These shoes cost around Rs 15,000-20,000. 
• Running shoes: Buy a pair that suits your foot. Plenty of options are available in the Rs 10,000-20,000 range. 
• Other smaller accessories: These include swim goggles (Rs 3,000), helmet (Rs 3,000), goggles (Rs 15,000), triathlon watch (Rs 3,000 onwards)
• Logistics: Flight tickets, if booked in advance can be around 60,000 (for Europe). Book airlines that don't charge for over-sized baggage (bike box) like Emirates and Qatar. It's good to reach the venue a few days early to acclimatise. Options include hostel, apartments and 5-star hotels. Costs can be lower if one is sharing with other athletes.