My Ironman Journey: Preparation, Preparation, and More Preparation...

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It’s been six full days since I announced my Ironman challenge—almost a week filled to the brim with preparations and new connections, alongside intense training sessions.

Everything began with the bike. It had to be a road or time trial bike designed for solo attacking rides, as drafting closely behind competitors is prohibited in Ironman events. These bikes have specific aerodynamic requirements and come with a hefty price tag. I asked my coach, Andrey Yastrebov—a multiple Ironman race winner and medalist—to help me find a “nearly new” bike, and I instantly fell in love with it. It’s a far cry from the old “UKRAINE” bike I used to ride! Training on this machine made me realize it’s not just a tool but a sophisticated, beautiful piece of engineering. My bike is the 2011 Kuota Kharma, and here it is:

Here’s my coach, Andrey Yastrebov:

Special cycling attire includes padded shorts with soft chamois pads to endure long hours on the narrow, hard saddle. Riders also need specific cycling shoes with stiff soles and cleats that clip into the pedals, allowing for efficient pedaling.

Other essentials include a pump, spare tubes, gloves, and more.

My coach also introduced me to Viktor Zemtsov, a ten-time Ironman champion and a true legend of the sport. Receiving guidance from these two giants is a tremendous honor. I listened in disbelief, amazed by the experience I was gaining.

I also got my race kit :) If you compare these two photos ↓↑, you’ll understand why I consider it a true artifact—a magical chainmail like Frodo’s from “The Lord of the Rings.”

Regarding training, I’m currently focusing on perfecting my forefoot running technique (a detailed post on this is coming soon). This method helps eliminate injuries and joint pain during long workouts. Many of you have shared your struggles with such pains in the comments—hang in there! It’s simply due to improper technique, and we’ll guide you on how to improve. I’m also spending time on the bike trainer, getting accustomed to my two-wheeled companion. A full training program will be ready soon, once I assess my endurance and pacing.

Additionally, I participated in a Sunday run with Vova Degtyarev and a special group of runners from Facebook*.

For the first time, I covered over 18 km through hills and mud amid the beautiful autumn forest scenery! The event was organized by László Varga, a former Hungarian Olympic triathlon champion. I barely kept up :) I kept thinking about training in Thailand, where I’ll face similar terrain but with temperatures 30°C higher. OMG! But I’m proud of my progress and will keep pushing.

By the way, Kyiv residents are welcome to join us—we run every Sunday.

This week, I finished reading a book about Chrissie Wellington (pictured above with Andrey) and will soon share a review. I’ve also started another fantastic book, so stay tuned.

And my favorite belt is shrinking! Just a couple of weeks ago, I was on the last notch, and now I’m down to the third. Small victories...

Until next week—feel free to send your questions if you have any!

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