PERSPECTIVE
Untitled Page
Why I am an Ironman
Competing in triathlons whips my body – and my life – into shape.
By William LobdellPublished: December 01, 2009
With any luck, by the time you read this, I will be an “Ironman squared.” On Thanksgiving weekend Sunday, I competed in my second Ironman triathlon. That means while you were eating turkey-day leftovers and watching football on TV, I was swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and then running a marathon, 26.2 miles, in Cozumel, Mexico.
Why?
Good question. In part, as British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory said about climbing Mt. Everest, “Because it’s there.” But it’s more than that.
It’s about doing something special. We all like to be unique. Some people do it the easy way – a tattoo or a crazy hair style takes no effort – but in doing an Ironman, training is a process that requires discipline over a long period of time.
The Ironman motto is “Anything is possible.” I’ve seen an 80-year-old man and athletes with only one leg cross the finish line of an Ironman. Anyone can do it. You simply have to put in the time.
It’s about finding the fountain of youth. I got into the sport at age 42. I was an out-of-shape father of four. Triathlons gave me a goal, and swimming, biking and running provided the perfect blend of cross-training. I needed a race looming to get me off the couch and into the game.
Since I started triathlons, I’ve dropped 10 pounds of fat, added muscle and feel better than I did in my 20s or 30s. My jeans are falling off of me. And when I go to the doctor, the nurses always comment on my low pulse and blood pressure.
NEXT PAGE >>>
Readers Feedback:
Congrats on finishing your Ironman! I started triathlon racing when my 3rd baby was 9 months old. He just turned 2. The reasons you state in your article are exactly the reasons I do it, it's been a life saver. I'm posting that quote in my car.
Comment at 11/30/2009
|
||||
|
Why? Good question. In part, as British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory said about climbing Mt. Everest, “Because it’s there.” But it’s more than that. It’s about doing something special. We all like to be unique. Some people do it the easy way – a tattoo or a crazy hair style takes no effort – but in doing an Ironman, training is a process that requires discipline over a long period of time. The Ironman motto is “Anything is possible.” I’ve seen an 80-year-old man and athletes with only one leg cross the finish line of an Ironman. Anyone can do it. You simply have to put in the time. It’s about finding the fountain of youth. I got into the sport at age 42. I was an out-of-shape father of four. Triathlons gave me a goal, and swimming, biking and running provided the perfect blend of cross-training. I needed a race looming to get me off the couch and into the game. Since I started triathlons, I’ve dropped 10 pounds of fat, added muscle and feel better than I did in my 20s or 30s. My jeans are falling off of me. And when I go to the doctor, the nurses always comment on my low pulse and blood pressure. NEXT PAGE >>> |
||||
Readers Feedback:
Congrats on finishing your Ironman! I started triathlon racing when my 3rd baby was 9 months old. He just turned 2. The reasons you state in your article are exactly the reasons I do it, it's been a life saver. I'm posting that quote in my car.
| Comment at 11/30/2009 |
