shootstories

3.8K Swim · 180K Bike · 42.2K Run

That is the distance of the mother of all triathlons, the Ironman.  The race started in Kona, Hawaii by a handful of competitive Navy Seals.  Something along the lines of a few buddies vying for which of their events really made them the fittest.  Was it the swimmers?  The runners?  The bikers?  They decided to combine them all and the winner of this triple endurance event, would indeed be an IRONMAN.  32 years later, there are at least 22 qualifying events throughout the year to get to the World Championships held at Kona annually, where that first Ironman race took place in 1978.

This week, I’m headed to Ironman Lake Placid where my husband will compete in his first full distance IM.  He’s done the half-IM a few times already and is a veteran of the shorter triathlon distances.  He is well prepared but certainly the nerves are now setting in. There’s the typical pre-race psychological ailments creeping in… sore achilles tendon… tight calf… etc.  Not to mention the taper-down heavy and tired feeling (oh, and did I mention a bit of the crochety-ness without all those endorphins pumping?!).  Really though, he’s in the finest physical shape he’s been in years, if not ever.  For this distance though, it’s more than the physical prep… it’s the mental toughness that gets one through.  That is where he shines.

Despite all the months and months of hard training, inevitably along the journey you can anticipate your mind telling you tales of tiredness … questioning why you’re doing it… all these kilometers AND I paid a steep fee to do this!?!  But you dig deep and somehow you keep going.  For each one of us its a different motivator.  Maybe its the unwavering crowds on the sidelines, your kids’ exuberant cheers and high-fives, all those hours you put in with your training buddies, or visions of the inspiring physically impaired like the Hoyt’s finishing, or maybe and finally, it’s the inner strength that can only come from within.

I keep telling hubby whatever happens race day doesn’t matter, he’s done the hard part.  The incredible commitment and discipline is surely the greater journey.  Somehow he doesn’t buy it.  No matter though… I’ll be there at the finish on July 25th bursting with even more pride as he comes across the line and the announcer calls out:   “You ARE an IRONMAN!”

Meanwhile, I know it already.

swim 1.9 km

The weather on race day, just like your wedding day, is one that you have no control over.  So you plan and train for several weeks or months.  Then all you can do is take what you get.   You might wake up and find it cold, crappy, and raining.  You have a choice.

bike 90 km

You can fret and fume or even throw in the towel.  Or, you just get on with it.  My husband & I took the latter approach whilst participating (me, spectating) at Mooseman.  This is a 70.3 mile triathlon (half Ironman), held in Newfound Lake, New Hampshire.  It was easy for me all decked out in rain gear.  I was also able to tuck in for a quick coffee (or at one point…nap in the car!) while waiting to cheer hubby at his next appearance.

run 21.1 km

The racers felt the relentless, cold, wind and rain throughout their swim, bike and run.  At one point, hubby was so cold on the bike that it was the first time in a race situation he actually contemplated stopping.  However, he persevered and even PB’d.  This will hold him in good stead for whatever comes at the full Ironman.

Gutsy athletes, they were all an inspiration.