Local athlete Aaron Seaman is gearing up for a monumental challenge this year: competing in his first full Ironman race. Having participated in shorter distance events before, Seaman is ready to push himself to the limit as he takes on the gruelling 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42.2 km marathon run in Port Macquarie this May.
Seaman has lots of experience in endurance races, including completing a quarter Ironman and even a half Ironman event in the past. But the full Ironman is a whole new level of commitment and preparation.
“I’ve done a half Ironman before, and I’ve done a long-distance race that’s a quarter of an Iron-man, but this will be my first full one,” Seaman said.
The Port Macquarie event, taking place on May 3, will be a defining moment in his athletic journey. In the five weeks leading up to the event, Seaman has been working closely with a new coach to perfect his training regimen. He’s currently averaging around 13-14 hours of training a week.
“We’ve been focusing on building endurance, which is key for a race like this,” he explained. The rigorous routine includes both morning and afternoon sessions, with each lasting between one to two hours, often before sunrise and again after sunset.
Seaman’s primary goal for the race is simply to survive, but he’s also aiming for an impressive time. “I aim to complete the race in around 10 hours, but my primary goal is to survive,” he joked. “Yeah, 10 hours would be sick, but most people take around 13 hours.”
With his mindset focused on endurance and staying in tune with his body on the day of the race, Seaman is preparing for both the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead. To assess his progress, Seaman will compete in a Half Iron-man event in late February, which serves as a crucial warm-up.
“I’m doing a Half Ironman at the end of February in Hutchinson. Every year, it’s a great weekend where everyone supports each other and focuses on fitness,” Seaman shared. “It will be a good test to see where my fitness is at.”
Training for an event of this magnitude requires more than just physical strength; nutrition plays a critical role in Seaman’s preparation. “You’re always going to lose weight purely from sweating during my training,” he said. During his tougher sessions, Seaman relies on a strategy called “race fuelling.” He aims to consume 80 grams of carbs per hour to maintain energy levels, primarily through gels that are easy to carry and consume during workouts. “I carb-load the night before hard sessions, and during the race, I’ll just skull gels. I could have anywhere from 15 to 25 gels during the event,” he added.
Seaman’s determination, discipline, and focus are evident in his preparation. Despite the intense training and nutritional needs, he remains optimistic and motivated for the challenge ahead. With just two months to go before the race, Seaman is ready to see how far he can push himself, both physically and mentally.
The Ironman race in Port Macquarie will mark a new chapter for Seaman, a local athlete whose dedication and hard work are bound to inspire others in the community.
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