

Ask The Coach: Ironman Bike Pacing, Power Guidance, Equipment Selection, Training for Hills and more! | Ep 551
18 snips Aug 13, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Coach Rob tackles bike pacing strategies, highlighting the importance of power meters and heart rate for optimizing performance. He offers tips for athletes from flat areas training for hilly courses and suggests innovative ways to enhance cycling without breaking the bank. The conversation dives into essential gear choices, nutrition planning, and race-day pacing. Listeners can expect practical advice on equipment selection, featuring the benefits of tri suits and clip-on aero bars, all aimed at boosting triathlon success.
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Target Power For Ironman
- Ride the Ironman bike at 65–75% of your FTP depending on your race duration and speed.
- Faster athletes sit near 75%; slower athletes aim closer to 65% to protect the run.
Choose Power Over Feel
- Buy and learn to use a power meter if possible; it's the best investment for pacing an Ironman.
- If you can't, use a tested heart rate monitor but beware race-day adrenaline raising HR readings.
Fast Bike ≠ Race Success
- A fast bike split that ruins the run signals poor bike pacing, not success.
- Proper bike pacing is the primary determinant of an Ironman run outcome.