So you wanna do an Ironman?

Posted by Steve W.

Why? That is really the first question you have to ask yourself. Are you doing it for the accomplishment? a wager/challenge? For charity? because all your friends are doing it? to gain respect of others/bragging rights? Whatever the reason, it is not for me to judge. But understand that the motivation will play a key role in your success. It is my hope that if you are considering an Ironman, it is because it is something you are personally motivated and WANT to do. It ashame that so many people sign up and don't know what they're getting into. In a sense, they disrespect the sport of triathlon as a whole, Ironman itself, and its athletes. I actually had a friend ask me "Steve, am I not a real triathlete unless I do an Ironman?" Wow. That blew me away and it really bummed me out realizing that the accomplishment of finishing and competing in any other triathlon besides Ironman, and even a marathon, had been minimized. I cited the many pros that had never done an Ironman and told her it doesn't make you any better of an athlete or person. She did go on to complete an Ironman but had a subpar experience, vowed never to compete in one again, and retired from triathlon altogether. When I signed up for my first one (Ironman Canada '98), I had been successfully competing in triathlons for seven years enjoying races of varied distances. Back then, I knew very few people who had even attempted such an event as Ironman. (Ironman Canada was the only North American Ironman race at the time). I had admired Dave Scott and Mark Allen, and Paula Newby Fraser, but I thought for anyone else, that distance was nuts. No one really knew how to train for such an event. There were no books, articles, coaches that could tell you how to complete one. The whole Julie Moss thing (one of the most inspirational images ever in Ironman history), to me, made the event seem so ridiculously over the top and it scared me. Almost failure. Is finishing like that success? To me, no. Success was finishing strong and savoring it like Dave, Mark, and Paula. The race and those positives images remained in the back of my mind for years. I knew I was ready when a good friend from college and fellow triathlete (now pro), Susanne Achtenhagen, called me up out of the blue and asked me the simple question, "Do you want to do Ironman next year?". It told me everything I needed to know - we are both seasoned and capable triathletes. We can do this. Her confidence was my confidence and it was all the little extra push I needed. When I didn't hesitate to say "yes" I knew I was ready. I've since completed six Ironmans including a qualifying trip to Kona. You don't have to wait seven years, but the the key take away is to do one when you and only you are personally ready. When the motivation is truly you're own, you'll be the most successful, have the most fun, and feel the most fulfilled. Ironman is a HUGE undertaking. Only attempt one when you're properly motivated, ready, and have your ducks in a row! It takes a lot of time, energy, planning, commitment, courage, confidence, and support of others!