When you get to your first Ironman race, the most important tool is planning. You can train for an entire year but if you don’t put in the planning ahead of the race the wheels will come off. A well planned race will get you to the finish line even if you don’t feel physically ready.  A badly planned race at your fittest will see you struggle to get round. It’s not just about the day itself, it’s the build up to race day, nutrition, fueling, hydration, equipment, strategies and psychology.  Get it all squared away and you’re home and dry. Before race day you need to have nutrition and meals planned out during taper phase and the days and hours before the race. You need to have tried and tested all of your race day nutrition in order to avoid any digestive issues on the way round. When I competed in Ironman Vichy I hit the run and my fueling went wrong leaving me with horrible indigestion that nearly cost me the finish line.  Make sure you have a plan for each discip...