Express & Star

What it's like to… Train for Ironman

When we heard that Oldbury boy Sam Duggins was training for the Ironman UK race, we had to pick his brain.

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The 31-year-old sales manager will swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles consecutively, all in one day come July 17. It's a feat that even the most seasoned athletes struggle with, so for more amateur participants like Sam, it's a gigantic undertaking. We've got faith, but we had to find out what it's like to take on that kind of challenge.

"Three years ago, I couldn't even swim and I hadn't ridden a bike in over 15 years", Sam tells us. "I always enter silly events! Two years ago I had a knee operation and whilst sat in hospital I entered a half Ironman.

"This time I fell off a stile in the countryside and broke a few ribs back in September 2015. When I was at home in utter agony, I entered my very first full Ironman. I think a klaxon inside me goes off that says unless I enter something huge, I'll have no motivation after a while out of exercise to get back on the trails or down the gym."

Seems like a pretty extreme motivator. But Sam is competing in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, and so for him, the training pain is totally worth it.

"I wanted to be able to raise money to give terminal cancer patients the best support they can possibly have. I think it's easy to walk past the donation boxes at tills in shops or fundraisers on the street. I understand we're all busy, but hopefully taking on an event of this magnitude will raise awareness of it, and more importantly of Macmillan Cancer Support. Maybe it'll inspire people to take that extra moment to donate at the tills, or to that fundraiser on the street."

Even with the best will in the world, though, the Ironman is going to push Sam to his limits. In fact, it's already doing so.

"It's a global event by where the truly elite athletes can qualify for the World Championships in Hawaii. That would be an utter dream. I will be competing in the UK leg of the competition and this is held in Bolton. The day will start with a 3am alarm and a 6am race start by getting into the icy cold Pennington Flash. The idea is that 17 hours later, the race will be over. I would love to finish as early as possible, as an 11pm finish would mean no celebration pint afterwards.

"My training regime is actually ridiculous. Elite athletes can train full time, obtain sponsors and have access to top quality equipment, physios and nutritionists. I'm just a bog standard run of the mill guy, trying to do something abnormal.

"Training in the early days was steady. Short swims, short runs, steady cycles. This was winter training. It's hard to get out on the bike after work – it's dark and icy and hazardous. There's a lot of indoor work required on turbo trainers and spin bikes down the gym. Gradually the distances have increased and more work goes in at weekends.

"I'm now at the stage, two months before Ironman, where I'm setting my alarm at 4am every day of the week. I'm running up to 10 miles before work, then going to the gym, followed by a full day at work and then hitting the pool for 3,000 metre swims in the evening. My weekends are combined with 90-100 mile bike rides, 15-20 mile runs and a few swims shoe-horned in between. It's pretty intense and anti-social.

"I've pretty much given up my social life. My 4am training alarms mean that my 9pm bed times have put paid to seeing any friends. I've stopped being asked out for drinks and meals and social events. Everyone knows it's a no go area for me.

"I rarely see my long-suffering fiancée Emma. She has been amazing though and supports me 100 per cent in whatever I do. I come home everyday after training to cooked meals, baths run and she even gives me massages pretty much every day.

"I've also in a way had to sacrifice elements of my wellbeing. The constant contact with Chlorine has dried my skin out incredibly. I'm buying specific shower gels and creams. I'm falling asleep some days at 4pm, limping other days, waking up in the middle of the night thirsty and hungry and I have also had to put holidays on hold so training time is not eaten into and, believe me, I want to eat into everything these days!"

A pre-workout selfie

We wonder how much food Sam has to get through to power his intense training?

"Of course it's important to eat well and healthy, however a large salad and piece of fish isn't going to cut it calorie and energy-wise when I'm expending 6,000 calories a day on weekends. I've taken the view that I can eat what I want.

"I'm eating well in the morning and snacking constantly throughout the day, with large lunches and evening meals. It's high carb, high protein meals that give me that extra energy boost when training. I'm taking specially designed supplements and quick release energy snacks to aid me, too. The funny thing is scoffing down 4,000 calories in a day and still losing weight. I have lost lots of weight since starting this journey, but I'm healthy and strong."

Being physically strong is one thing, but how is preparing for Ironman affecting Sam mentally?

"I'm about to take on a huge physical assault of the body. I'm worried and petrified. I'm having sleepless nights and feeling, to be honest, a little bit stressed about the whole thing. It's something I've never done before. It's new, it's scary and it's a long way.

"I have worries about punctures, getting kicked in the face in the swim, having a mid-lake panic attack, breaking down from exhaustion on the run but most of all letting down the charity and my supporters. I'm scared that I have never found my limit, and that my limit may lie ahead in the coming months.

"With all these worries though, I know that it's possible. And if it's possible and it can be done, then I'd like to find that part of my mental strength that has never been tapped into before."

Sponsor Sam at www.virginmoneygiving.com/samduggins or text 'dugg78 £3' to 70070 to sponsor £3.

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