Can A Complete Beginner Complete An Iron-Distance Triathlon? | Journey to Roth Pt. 1

A first triathlon is no mean feat, let alone an iron-distance triathlon at none other than Challenge Roth! GTN cameraman and complete novice, Quinn, is doing just that. With coach James and the GTN team right behind him, we follow his journey to the finish line...if he can make it?!
Useful Links
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 gtn.io/UPLOAD
Check out the GTN Shop 👉 gtn.io/TeamKit
Watch more on GTN...
📹 Zero To Hero Tri Plan 👉 gtn.io/Z2HraceDay
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gtn.io/editorschoice
📹 Watch our weekly show, The GTN Show 👉 gtn.io/GTNshowPlaylist
Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound / Artlist 🎵
4th of July (Instrumental Version) - Ian Luxton
My Soul Delights - Bonnie Grace
Saint Valentine - Vendla
Derailed - At The End Of Times, Nothing
Habits - Duckmaw
Those Cold Nights - Cushy
Muddy up the Dirt - Will Harrison
Veri Peri - Molife
Infinite Abyss - Auxjack
Cadillac - peerless
Baptized and Buried - Will Harrison
Cotton Candy Flavored - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Hammock - Timothy Infinite
#gtn #triathlon #swimbikerun #swim #bike #run
The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the world's biggest triathlon KZbin channel, with new videos every day! GTN is for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned triathletes to first-timers - and everyone in between!
With the help of our former pro and Olympic medal-winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:
- How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
- Try our session ideas
- Investigations into wide-ranging topics
- The best triathlon bike tech and gear with pro-know-how
- In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
- Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media!
Join us on KZbin’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete!
Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon bikes: gtn.io/canyon-bikes
Felt bicycles: gtn.io/Felt
THEMAGIC5: gtn.io/TheMagic5
MET Helmets: gtn.io/MET
ON Running: gtn.io/On-Running
Orca: gtn.io/Orca
Park Tool: gtn.io/parktool
Precision Fuel & Hydration: gtn.io/PrecisionHydration
Selle Italia: gtn.io/SelleItalia
Team Bath: gtn.io/TeamBath
Wahoo: gtn.io/Wahoo
Zwift: gtn.io/zwift
Watch our sister channels:
Global Cycling Network - / gcn
GCN Tech - / gcntech
GCN Racing - / gcnracing
GCN Italia - / gcnitalia
GCN en Espanol - / gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Francais - / gcnenfrancais
GCN Japan - / gcnjapan
GCN Training - / gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - / gmbn
GMBN Tech - / gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / embn

[@angelag5708]

the gateway drug to Triathalon is being a GCN cameraman

[@gtn]

Quinn and Alex both took the challenge of completing their first triathlon head on!

[@marlanjayathilake]

@@gtn Any upper age limit to try triathlon?

[@Spaxcore]

@@marlanjayathilake absolutely not. In fact triathlon leader boards are divided into age groups so whilst you might not position well in the overall race you could be surprised where you end up in your age group.

[@marlanjayathilake]

@@Spaxcore Thank you so much for your advice

[@geraldinegaskell2306]

hey that is my GRANDSON Hi ya Quinn xx

[@Modestas_Gardziu]

I did an IM Wales with 7 months of training with professional coaching. Before that I didn't knew how to swim, never ride a road bike, and completed one marathon with two months of random running routine. It was a hard but rewarding journey. Looking forward for next parts of the video!

[@gtn]

Thanks for sharing!

[@anthonypace4503]

Any way you could share or post a link to Quinn's actual training plan? Would really like to see what it took/takes. Cheers and well done!

[@wallykav1516]

I'm about to turn 40 , I can't swim . I just bought a road bike one month ago and I've decided to try for an Ironman 70.3. I've been trying to swim 3 times a week and I'm still only getting 25 meters without stopping. Imma stick with it and kick ass. Keep up the great work guys . Your vids help alot

[@anj1ch1]

I'm 42 and pushing for the same! Got road bike on Jan 14th... Now I'm able to do 100k. I'll have a challenge with swimming but I'll keep pushing

[@wallykav1516]

@@anj1ch1 keep up the great work mate. One step at a time.

[@Hillzy96]

Watch effortless swimming videos, really helped me. Look at the bottom of the pool while swimming, don't kick too much but enough to keep your legs near the top of the water, use your arms to push the water directly back and exhale through your nose or mouth while underwater. Also you can breathe every 2 strokes. These tips helped me a lot

[@panzerveps]

We're in the same boat. I just turned 40, and started swimming (breast stroke) last winter for recreation. My gf pushed me into learning front crawl, and that inspired me into giving triathlon a go. Have signed up for a few races for the 2024 season, olympic distance.

[@ChristianLeeTri]

Well done. I was racing CanadaMan Xtreme Triathlon last year and ran beside a guy who was doing it as his first triathlon. Crazy bugger. He beat me, too. Haha.

[@CheGuevara110100]

I did my first sprint distance triathlon last week and have set a goal to do an ironman by summer 2023

[@mandylowther]

Loved this video!! So inspirational. Can't wait for part 2

[@rgh622]

Can someone tell me why James couldn't go to the race with Quinn? I couldn't understand a word he said whilst on the phone. Great job diving straight in Quinn!

[@blackbirdbe]

Couldn't hear it either

[@Saitir942]

Problem getting passport sorted I think, although some mention of dvla, but probably confusion on James part there.

[@jamescunnama3583]

Had to swap SA drivers license for UK drivers, and they needed passport. ...it still hasn't come back!

[@jamescunnama3583]

(Got drivers back over 2 weeks ago...)

[@Saitir942]

@@jamescunnama3583 Ha! 'Efficient' bureaucracy at its best. Thanks for the clarification. Sorry you missed out on the event.

[@jascollinscork]

Great video on this man journey into the hell of Ironman/Triathlon 👏🏻👏🏻😍

[@kyoungseoun]

It is possible. I’ve tried before. My first triathlon event was Zurich ironman. In that event, I did my first 3+km swimming, 40+km running as well. Painful but definitely rewarding.

[@1023Endurance]

tried or finished?

[@kyoungseoun]

@@1023Endurance Of course finished… 14 and half hours……

[@1023Endurance]

@@kyoungseoun Noice

[@xpm201]

Roth was my first and only full distance triathlon. That was in 2015. It was also my first 3.8k swim distance and first full marathon, plus first w/ the 3 disciplines combined…irst time to race outside the Philippines as well. It was a superb experience worth reliving every time Challenge Roth event happens…and with lots of luck, it could be my next triathlon…

[@3WalkingPoles]

That was a nice story well put together. Enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@Thelavern86]

Of course. I finished norseman as first triathlon ever 👍

[@luismedina5680]

Waiting for the part 2 ❤

[@roydos949]

Wow! This is jumping in at the deep end.

[@Jurinator]

Was fun meeting you guys before the race. Such a warm, painful day! Juri

[@pjlehtim]

Can't wait for the part 2!

[@martinweston8147]

Great content, looking forward to the next episode

[@gtn]

Thank you! We can't wait to show you part 2!

[@freeflyesperance3392]

Great work. Hooly dooly that’s a challenge alright.

[@mikew6840]

With Cunnama 🇿🇦 as your coach and Mark at the event, what could go wrong 🙌

[@lexington476]

Go Big 😎. Jumping in the deep in 😎. Good luck!

[@chrisburnell2215]

Yes they can, ironman lanzarote was my first Triathlon, at the age of 40

[@JeffreyAnderegg]

Quinn, you crushed it. Good for you!!!

[@esoteric404]

definitely doable. my first triathalon was a full ironman in CDA idaho 2021.i had no one training me and everything i learned about training for a triathalon i learned from articles online. it was over 100 degrees that day and many people didn't finish, but after 15 grueling hours i crossed the finish line. not that i got that out of my system i'm training for moab240, although i'll do a couple ultra marathons before it. go big or go home

[@James-ys2dd]

Great video, first sprint is in September for me, looking forward to ep 2!

[@gtn]

Good luck! How far into your preparation have you got?

[@James-ys2dd]

@@gtn Just finished my second month, flying now, feel comfortable and luckily no injuries so far🤞 If all goes well I'll be moving onto bigger races next year and using the winter for prep Great channel by the way, loads of useful info for newbies like myself!

[@richt9862]

Impressive array of hats Quinn

[@stewconway2523]

After many triathlons, 1) my car was stuck in underground car park on race am (not 24hrs), made start, just 2) garmin watch knocked off at swim start! And then 3) got a penalty for having helmet in red bag!!! Then race went to plan (ish) ha ha - well done on prep Quin

[@Michael-cj9uo]

Great video. hen is the next part out?

[@matthewwilson3668]

Do you have a logistics plan (places to stay/Park etc) for Roth? Was a bucket list event but clashed with my deffered IMUK for 2022! Managed to get in for 2023 (yep managed to be one of the lucky ones in the 90 seconds!!)

[@thechallengecoach]

Such an amazing day and accomplishment. #inspired

[@LoveTri]

Is that the Boardman TT from the previous upgrade videos? How did it perform for a 'novice' as opposed to the pro level athletes from the original comparison videos?

[@231scorpio]

My first triathalon was Tremblant's 70.3 this June (5hour 19min). Next up is Lake Placid Ironman (my goal is to be an Iron Iceman by the end of 2022)

[@seanscarisbrick8717]

Tremblant last year was my first IM. Those hills handed me my balls. Wow.

[@tombinley9994]

Hey can you share the training plan? :)

[@lukecp]

Yep....enjoy it!

[@russianbot4374]

My first Tri was IM Cozumel and was 12 hrs … yeah it’s possible

[@swilliams8251]

@IMUK would have been a good feature for a first full

[@pierrerousseau5290]

Could we see the training plan used for this ironman

[@swilliams8251]

How did you use your Caffeine gels?

[@gtn]

How do you think Quinn will get on at Challenge Roth?

[@JuliusSchwaner]

Am I just imagining things, or was the guy he talked to in the transition area Frederik Van Lierde?

[@danielwggudan2]

Part 2?

[@edwin5419]

WTG Quinn!

[@lexington476]

Is Challenge Roth only an iron/full distance race? Or is there a half or olympic as well?

[@andyc9187]

Only full distance.

[@dalriadaman3558]

First marathon was IM UK, first triathlon was...IM UK. If you're going to pick a challenge you might as well go big!

[@Choedron]

I have seen several absolute beginners trying to combat an Iron distance after one year of training. BUT it is way too risky, since ligaments take about three years to reach the strength needed for the training load and the race itself. Muscle strength and fitness improve quickly. But the ligaments do not. Many of them ended up with injuries about a month before their big event. So it is definitely not advisable.

[@eme7910]

Agreed, but in this case, Quin is not an absolute beginners in running which is the most challenging of the three sport for the ligament. he says he runs quite a lot before starting his quest for the Roth challenge. He just never did a triathlon before.

[@jamiefuhrman403]

New ring on Mark’s finger? Aura ring?

[@nagarajbathada29]

Hi I’m a cardiac and diabetic person I’ve 85kgs of weight with a 164 cm height I need to lose my weight and belly fat too Daily I’m doing 12 minutes of slow running 5 minutes of walking like 3 sets doing My trainer is insisting me to do 45 minutes of workout at gym other than this running with walking Is it need to do that I can get 90 minutes for my morning workout, is that slow running with walking is enough me to lose weight and fit to be Please suggest me Thank you

[@Chris_Genex]

nice

[@tzey1]

I coudln't hear what James was saying on the video call - what about the DVLA?

[@Saitir942]

I think a passport issue rather than driving licence (not sure why a driving licence would stop him going). Odd staged conversation as they obviously knew days before.

[@tzey1]

@@Saitir942 ahh thnx :)

[@gtn]

He had to send his passport to the DVLA and hasn't got it back yet

[@tzey1]

@@gtn aaah ok thnx

[@sharaquehasan5012]

Where’s part 2

[@sickrider3182]

A very easy way to severely injure a beginner athlete…. in order to cover these distances you have to have experience.. and nowadays i see everywhere people trying to prove that they achieved something special by doing a full IM with minimal training… the only thing they achieved is total damage to their bodies and I’ve seen it a thousand times… incoming injuries down the road… etc. Once you have the experience (and it takes years) do it Train for health.

[@iandoherty9089]

pt 2?

[@gtn]

Keep your eyes out!

[@BoneThugsNL]

Ill race my first half 2morrow 😆

[@lasamie3251]

i’m training for my first haft IR next November in Vietnam! good luck!!!!!

[@BoneThugsNL]

@@lasamie3251 good luck

[@fifalianajoyride]

Good luck! It is easier than most think 😁 just a little painful lol

[@BoneThugsNL]

@@fifalianajoyride i made it 5 hours 31min im happy with that lol 6 hours was my goal.😁😁

[@fifalianajoyride]

@@BoneThugsNL that's amazing. Congrats!!! Which race did you do!?

[@cynthiareif6125]

Where is part 2

[@gtn]

Coming soon 👀

[@felixblock1542]

Well, so if he swam as a child and is currently still running, he's not really a complete beginner? Especially when you consider that he has already done a 30 km run. I don't think a complete beginner would have done that before ;). Anyway, nice project. In any case, I can say that I was definitely confronted with problems when I started running as a time trialist. Directly after 5 runs fatigue fracture of the tibia just above the foot. Guys, watch out. I ran 5 times 5 kilometres only, but without breaks and with 5:30 min/km pace. In between, I always had a break of 1-2 days. So the pace was rather too high, but only slightly too high. It was obviously just too much, the endurance was there, but the technique was even slightly wrong: ouch. With 64 kg at 1.74 m, I actually have very good prerequisites for running, but it still went wrong without breaks at the beginning. So: especially if you are a beginner in running, getting started is not without danger. Better to start with walking and running breaks. 1 min running, 1 min walking, etc. I'm slowly working my way up and I think I'm on a better path now. We'd better not talk about swimming. To start swimming freestyle at all at 40, oh dear. I'll try running first :D. 6 months seems like an extremely short time to prepare. Adjustments to the body often take several months, some half a year or years. It's better to start smaller, then gradually increase. Then you hurt yourself much less, stay with the sport and it doesn't remain a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Personally, I was actually planning to train for duathlon normal distance from April this year, i.e. 10km run, 60k bike, 10k run. Now I'm fit again after the fatigue fracture and about a month into very light running training again. But at the moment I can't imagine that I'll be ready to run two 10km races really fast by April 2023. Or that it is healthy. Maybe it will work out after all. Others, with a lot of luck, apparently manage to complete the big thing right away. I still think it's negligent. Of course, this is fundamentally different between people. Unfortunately, in addition to autoimmune diseases, I also have problems with osteoporosis, which unfortunately increases the problems of adaptation. So I can only warn you: watch out and don't start too quickly!

[@dilligafwoftam985]

Sure, as long as there's no time limit ... face it that's the only difference between Professional, Elite amateur, amateur and beginner.

[@kavtrain9]

Actual insanity to not do a practice short distance before a full IM 😂

[@JFirth_Endurance]

I’m doing my first triathlon at ironman wales in September 😅 deep end is the only way

[@vanlife8122]

no he can't because he is watching GTN, which is making one dumb as hell

[@danmartin9086]

Forgot "electrolytes" and all this gel rubbish. I have done 3 IMs just using sugar, water, salt and maple syrup. My no1 advice is do not buy into this commercial rubbish. Keep it simple

[@timvanmonero2720]

good it works for you. if it's the best, the pros would do. nobody takes money for less performance.

[@danmartin9086]

@@timvanmonero2720 the pros are sponsored so get it all for free. Average Joe public don't. Similarly pros use the equipment they are sponsored to use as part of a multi-million pound contracts, not what is objectively the best. Look at the TdF, all the bikes they are riding are heavier than previous iterations and we have riders using disc brake bikes on flat time trial stages (which add weight and aero drag). To answer your question , people absolutely do take money for less performance.

[@ghettoshampoo]

maple syrup is the goat.

[@Aeronwor]

You're also replenishing electrolytes, and using a carb drink. While most products are just water, sugar(s) and salt(s), they are more convinient and easier to use than home made equivalents or real food. In training I use normal food and salted lemonade, at an event I will use a gel, just because its easier to eat -though they do need to be tried a couple of times before, just so you don't get the sh#ts. Compared to the overall cost of entering and peparing for an event, the price of a couple of gels is peanuts, and just makes it that little bit easier.

[@Aeronwor]

@@danmartin9086 weight does not matter that much, and better brakes mean you can go faster and brake later, if it wouldn't work, they wouldn't do it, becauase winning sells bikes (and aero snoods?). Though I am saying this from my 30 year old steel bike, finishing around the middle of any event I enter (and IM is still a challenge ahead of me).

[@francescogalet9950]

Simply an idiotic stunt.. as an educational channel, you should discourage similar non-sense decisions..

[@sickrider3182]

A very easy way to severely injure a beginner athlete…. in order to cover these distances you have to have experience.. and nowadays i see everywhere people trying to prove that they achieved something special by doing a full IM with minimal training… the only thing they achieved is total damage to their bodies and I’ve seen it a thousand times… incoming injuries down the road… etc. Once you have the experience (and it takes years) do it Train for health.