Anyone here ever compete in an Ironman Triathlon?

[cdsmoney]

I've done multiple ultra-marathons in my time - 50-K, 50 miles and 100 miles (the most recent being the Leadville 100 - tough because the low elevation is 9500 ft and the high is approx 12500 ft). Most weeks average around 80 miles per week. Depending on what I'm training for and where I am in my training my weekend run will include a very easy (walk every hill) 10-12 hour run (and a fair amount of night training). A decent off-trail training area (I'm not too far from some great trails in the Shenandoah) is a must as running on trails will prolong your legs over these distances.

I've often considered trying to train for the ironman (i've done a few duathlons in my time - run/bike/run again). But as Serious said a few posts back, the 2.4 mile swim is more daunting to me than any of the 100s I've done.

If this becomes an endeavour of yours, good for you. There are many great books to help you prepare for the total committment it will take. And, as you can probably guess, this type of training is more about your mental strength (running on the rainy days, the freezing cold days, forgoing a night out to make sure you can start your 4 a.m. run) than your physical ability (that will come as your training progresses).

One thing I can tell you, though - in finishing an event like this (whether a marathon, ultra-marathon or multiple sport event), you really do feel like there isn't anything you can't accomplish. Competitions of this type don't care about your background, net worth, etc. And, you just can't purchase your way to the finish. It is one of those few things left where your success is truly determined by your effort and nothing else.

Take small steps to start and you'll be there before you know it.

Best of luck.

 

[redatmosphere]

Thanks for the input guys. Its something I'm seriously considering doing at some point in my life. The distances are unreal, plus I've heard the transition from the bike to running is very painful. I admire these athletes, especially the old folks.

redatmosphere, how old was your dad when he competed?

56 and 58. He got cancer in the middle there.

 

[Jack Herer]

Good advice guys, good stories. Thanks. I'm currently struggling with an old soccer injury so I'm not as active as I used to be, but I do exercise at least 5 days a week. But participating in one of these has always been a goal of mine. There are some half-Ironmans out there that I think would be a more realistic goal to start with.

redatmosphere, your dad is an impressive guy. Going through such a harsh event at his age is just amazing. I also remember the story about the father who competed in an Ironman carrying his dissabled son all the way. What a great accomplishment. Inspiring.

 

[achandicap]

Two half-Ironmans and six marathons at this point. I have many friends who've done full Ironmans and I have a friend who's done at least 10 100-mile runs.

From my own experience, I've always had a decent base of fitness in me, but it still takes a good five to six months of near-daily training to prepare for a Half-Ironman--and a good month to recover. Friends who have done an Ironman have pretty much put their home life on hold for nine months. You get together with a training group and they become your family for that period of time.

But once you've finished--then you can brag. Because as you can see here there aren't many who can compete at that level.