Anyone a nurse and did an Ironman?

I'm not a nurse but am a doctor. My schedule is pretty crazy and varies between day, evening and night shifts. While most of my shifts aren't 12 hours, I completely understand your predicament. My first year in triathlons (last year), I tried to do my own training plan with one from the internet that I tweaked to accommodate my schedule. I completed my first 70.3 that year but was well below my potential and was frustrated at the end of the race. I hired a coach and explained to him my lifestyle (work and personal). He makes the most out of my time with short (mostly 1-2 hour workouts) during my periods of work and 2-3 hours on my days off. I have a trainer where I do most of my bike workouts as I can get these workouts in at any time and in any weather. I miss outside riding some but it a small concession to make in order to get my training in. As for my runs and swims, those are carefully planned either at the beginning of my stretch of shifts where I'm still fresh or on one of my shorter 9 hour shifts. We also have yoga style and other workouts (i.e. squats, lunges, dry land swim mimic resistance band session, etc.) on days where we know that I won't be able to swim, bike or run. I don't think I could come up with a proper training plan that would prepare me for my 70.3 races without him. He's done a wonderful job of making the most of my time. This year, I did two 70.3s (and have one more next month) as well as Escape from Alcatraz. I would have never completed Alcatraz or dropped 40 minutes off my previous 70.3 time this year without my coach. I would recommend getting a coach as that is his/her job to train you to the best of your ability without injury with what time you have. If you are set against coaching, I would definitely incorporate resistance band sessions for swimming if you can't make it to the pool as well as trainer rides (both training pace and intervals). If you have a treadmill, you can also get those sessions in at home. I find that the less driving to my workout that I have to do, the more I enjoy the workout and am less likely to skip it. These are just my opinions and personal experience, but I hope you find them helpful.

Edit: I understand that training for a full is much more intense than training for a half, but the points are the same. It can be done...it's just very difficult and requires delicate planning to prevent injury.

Edited by Rdracer99 2015-08-16 4:59 PM

Thank you for your reply!

Hi,

I am a nurse and have completed 3 ironmans while working 12 hr shifts. Yes, it can be done! Try not to do overtime though. What I was able to do was 2 shifts in a row, day off and then one or even better get the 3 shifts over with. On my first shift I swam and ran, 2nd shift I fit in a bike or run , third shift day off. I had a coach who was definitely very helpful in working around my schedule. I also tried to be not very OCD and moved things around if needed.

I am now on a 5 day a week 8hr schedule and training for my 4th IM and I must say I am having a much more difficult time fitting in my workouts!

Good luck and yes U can!

Happy training,

Alicia