What does it take?

What does it take to complete an ironman? In short, I have no idea. As I've previously mentioned, my triathlon experience is a collection of a few Olympic distance events (.90 mile swim / 25 mile bike / 6.2 mile run) and 1 Half Ironman (1.2 mile swim / 56 mile bike / 13.1 mile run). If the Echo Half Ironman is any indication of how hard this event will be, then I'm in huge trouble. That event, which took me 7 hours to complete, was single-handedly the hardest physically demanding event I've ever undertaken. Of course, it didn't help that it was over 100 degrees and I ended up with heat stroke and 2nd degree burns on my shoulders (I'm sure skin cancer is in my future). Things were actually going pretty well at first. The swim and bike were challenging, but nothing too severe. However, by the time I got to the run, things started to fall apart.

Sidenote: One of the things I find funny when speaking with folks about triathlons, is how most people make a remark about how they could "do the bike and run, but not the swim" or some other combination. Many people have this false impression that 1 + 1 + 1 = 3. This is so very far from the truth. The triathlon challenge is not the swim, or the bike, or the run, it is the combination of all three. An experienced marathoner that can run 3 hour marathons, may take 4-5 hours to complete the 3rd leg of a triathlon. In triathlons, 1 + 1 + 1 = 5! And every increase in distance (Olympic --> Half Iron --> Full Iron) simply compounds this problem. That's what makes doing these so challenging and fun!

Which brings me back to that hot day in July 2005. I started out my run feeling tired but confident. I was able to run the first couple of miles with no problems and the next few with only minor stretches of walking. It was about the time I ran into my buddy, Greg Hoole, who had completed the halfway point turnaround and was looking pretty haggard on mile 8ish. I was still running fairly strong as I met him on mile 5ish. Greg made the comment that I would catch up to him soon and we could finish the race together. Suffice it to say that I ended up finishing 1 hour after Greg did. I hit more than the proverbial wall. I ended up walking more than 5 miles of the run. I simply had no energy left in me.

I actually have two friends that have completed ironmans (Jason Jones and Jim Moss). The two of them can be summed up in one word: fanatical. Both of them seem to eat, drink and sleep triathlons. It is a constant for them. Perhaps that is what it takes to compete (or even complete) at that level. I believe Jason has completed three ironmans (Florida) with a PR of 11 hours flat in 2007. He was recently featured in the Deseret News (article link below).

(https://secure.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,700230522,00.html)

Jim completed his first ironman last year in Coeur d' Alene where he finished 7th in his age group with a time of 12:21:27 (this is ironically almost identical to Jason's previous IFL time). Jim is scheduled to do Ironman Wisconsin in September as well as join us for ISG in May 2010. (I've also attached Jim's race report from ICDA on Slowtwitch forum below).

(http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1851868;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25)

Both Jim and Jason make ironmans look easy. Okay, maybe not easy, but definitely a worthwhile pursuit. To a certain extent, they have fueled my desire to go after such an audacious goal. Congratulations, Jason and Jim! Keep it going! Here's hoping I can join you someday (that is - May 2010).

Week 1 Results

M - Missed
T - Spin (12 miles - 40 min) / Run (4.5 miles - 40 min)
W - Swim (.4 miles - 19 min) / Run (4.2 miles - 40 min)
H - Spin (12 miles - 40 min)
F - Swim (.5 miles - 22 min) / Run (4.0 miles - 35:11 min)
S - Run (4.5 miles - 38:17)
S - Rest

Total Workouts: 8
Total Hours: 4 hrs 34 min

Swim Total .9 miles /41 min
Bike Total: 24 miles / 1 hr 20 min
Run Total: 17.2 miles /2 hr 33 min

Ending Weight: 208 lbs.

Felt good to be back on a regular exercise schedule; although, I'm very tired. Swim was a killer this week - exhausting and working a whole new set of muscles. Can't even imagine swimming 2.4 miles at this point without drowning. Two workouts a day is also very taxing, but satisfying.

T-minus 400 days until SGI!

And so it begins . . .

Several years ago, actually it was 2002, my friends and I starting talking about running the Moab Half Marathon. I had just turned 32, had three kids, and was about to hang up my rugby cleats after playing for over 11 years. I now needed a new hobby and something to keep me in relatively good shape. I never considered myself a runner and had never run more than 5 or 6 miles at one time. Nevertheless, the impulsive side of me said "why not?" and the next thing I knew, I was signed up and training for this event (13.1 mile run).

Over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to participate in a number of fun races including 7 Half Marathons, 4 Marathons, 3 Olympic distance triathlons, and 1 grueling Half Ironman. Not only are these events a great experience to share with family and friends, but they are excellent motivators for me to wake up early each morning (okay some mornings) and exercise (even on those dark, cold, icy mornings in Boston). And for me, I need to have a motivating event to work towards unlike my father-in-law who rises every morning at 5:30 AM to go run up City Creek Canyon. I don't just exercise for health's sake. I exercise so that I can accomplish my goals.

In the summer of 2007, I was training for the St. George Marathon. While out on a short, casual run, I ended up tearing my sartorius muscle (see image left). Not only was this extremely painful, but it prohibited me from doing any serious running or biking for almost a year. After a few months of physical therapy, I was able to gradually start running. But even today, I struggle with the effects of this injury including an awkward gait (stride) and tightening in my right quadricep muscle. So after being out of pocket for over a year, gaining 20 lbs (currently 210), and getting way out of shape from a cardio, strength and endurance standpoint, I have begun my journey back.

Which brings us up to last week when my friend, Stan Hansen, called to inform me that the World Triathlon Corporation had just named St. George, Utah as the newest location for the Ford Ironman series. Again, the impulsive side of me took over and I registered before the end of the day (It is important to note that the Ford Ironman series is extremely difficult to get into. Most events sell out on the day of the event with slots going to individuals actually participating in that day's race.) Ever since I began participating in triathlon events, I have dreamed about completing an ironman distance. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of all endurance sporting events. To complete an ironman and be named among the select number of individuals that have done so is quite an accomplishment. So the "concept" of being an ironman is what compelled me to sign up ($550 registration fee - no small chunk of change).

So now the fun begins! I recently renewed my membership at the local pool (Atkinson pool in Sudbury) as well as the fitness center that is tied to my work.  This will enable me to work out twice a day - once before work and a second time during my lunch break.  I will either bike or swim in the mornings and run during lunch.  So far, I'm two for two.  I can't believe how much ground I have to make up.  In today's swim, I could barely make it 16 laps.  Nevertheless, it feels good to be back at it.

Stay tuned for regular updates on my progress towards "the ultimate pursuit."