Age of Man

Today is my birthday. So what does the age of a man mean. To me it is only a chronological timeframe from birth. It does not define who, what, where, how, or why I am.

What it did do is start the stopwatch to the time I will complete an Ironman distance triathlon. I have just three years to race and finish one of these events.

Several years ago, when I was out of shape, I had a long-range goal to complete this event in Hawaii. I thought it would be a good motivator to get me to train. I found out shortly thereafter that it was the world championships and the only way to race at this event is to qualify at a very high level. I cannot devote the necessary time that is required to race at that level, so the goal was reduced to finish any Ironman.

Three years and counting.

A New Year

Today I took "Christine" (my bike) out for the first time this season. I will need to post a story on how my bike got its name.

So anyways, I woke up this morning and decided that I would ride to physical therapy. The physical therapy is for a rotator cuff injury that I have. The therapist is just a few miles away and I figured I had extra time to get there. Afterwards as I was about to ride back home, I decided to ride for another 20 or so miles since there would be no one home waiting for me. It was good to get back on her as I cleared my mind and remembered what she sounded like when I cranked on her pedals and moved from gear to gear.

It was hot and the sun felt good on my body. As I continued to ride the sun beat down on the blackened pavement and the sweat started to bead on my head. I was glad that occasionally a section of my ride was tree covered. I caught up to another rider but he was going a different way then I wanted to go so I turned west towards a lake.

Its been almost a year since the last time I rode outdoors as my training has been exclusively indoors on a trainer. Outdoor training has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, the scenery (today it was a ride around a lake North of where I live) is always changing. On the minus side, the traffic can be a hazard.

Today had another minus. I had forgotten the rule that if you feel good on the first half of the ride you’re going to feel bad on the second half. As I turned to go back home, I was faced with a stiff wind which made the second half of the ride more intense… at least the wind kept the sweating down.

I will have to remember that stretch of road, as it was quiet and peaceful for most of the ride.

The Quest is On

This is my first post on blogger.com and it will deal mainly with my quest to complete an Ironman distance Triathlon. Please send a note if you like it.

So what is an Ironman Triathlon?
An Ironman race is an event that exhausts all parts of your body, including your mind. The event starts early in the day and the racers jump in the water (be it lake or ocean) and swim a distance of 2.4 miles. The next portion of the race is a grueling bike ride consisting of pedaling the bike for 112 miles. Once the bike portion is completed, the event culminates with a full marathon run, which is 26.2 miles. There are time restrictions that must be met or else race is over for you. Cutoff time for the swim is 2 hrs. and 20 min., the bike cutoff time is 10 hrs and 30 min from the beginning of the race, and the run cutoff time is 17 hours from the beginning of the race.

How much training is involved to prepare for an Ironman?
Triathletes train an average of seven months for Ironman. The average hours per week devoted to training for Ironman generally fall between 18 and 22. Average training distances for the three events:
Miles per week swimming: 7 (11.3 km)
Miles per week biking: 232 (373.3 km)
Miles per week running: 48 (77.2 km)

How does one train for Ironman? I have read all the books, but I really want the "inside scoop" in training. Who can help me be my best?
You can access excellent Triathlon Training Programs directly through Ironmanlive.com through Mark Allen Online or by clicking through the section on Training Articles.

What is the early history of the Ironman?
In 1978 during the awards ceremony for a Hawaii running race, a debate ensues among competitors about who is more fit -- swimmers, runners or other athletes. One of the participants, Navy Commander John Collins, dreams up a race to settle the argument. He proposes combining three existing races together, to be completed in succession: the Waikiki Roughwater Swim (2.4 miles), the Around-Oahu Bike Race (112 miles, originally a two-day event) and the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles). "Whoever finishes first we’ll call the Ironman," said Collins. Fifteen men participate in the initial event held on February 18; 12 complete the race, led by the first Ironman, Gordon Haller. His winning time: 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.

In 1979, word of mouth generates additional participant interest, and it appears that as many as 50 athletes will compete. However, bad weather forces the postponement of the race for a day; when the starter’s pistol finally sounds on Sunday morning, just 15 competitors take the challenge. Tom Warren wins in 11 hours, 15 minutes and 56 seconds. The first Ironwoman, Lyn Lemaire, a championship cyclist from Boston, places fifth overall. Even as Collins ponders changing the next race into a relay event to generate more participants, the race’s future is being re-written by Barry McDermott from Sports Illustrated. On the island to cover a golf tournament, McDermott discovers the race and writes a 10-page, larger-than-life account of the race that nets Collins hundreds of inquiries about the race.

In 1980 Collins gives ABC's "Wide World of Sports" permission to film the event, but warns ABC executives that, "Watching the race is about as exciting as watching a lawn-growing contest." ABC’s coverage is somewhat more dramatic, and it brings Ironman worldwide recognition. The event draws 106 men and two women. Dave Scott, wins the event in 9:24:33. Robin Beck wins the women's division in 11:21:24, placing 12th overall. As people become familiar with the Ironman Triathlon, other triathlons of varying distances begin to take place around the world. Ironically, Collins is not on hand for the event, as the Navy transfers him to Washington, D.C. He entrusts the race to the owners of a local heath club.

In 1982, the race attracts 580 contestants. Scott Tinley passes Dave Scott in the marathon and finishes in a record time of 9:19:41. Less than two hours later, the most memorable moment in race history occurs. Julie Moss, a college student competing to gather research for her exercise physiology thesis, steadfastly moves toward the finish line in first place despite becoming severely fatigued and dehydrated. In the homestretch, she staggers like a punch-drunk boxer. Just yards away from the finish line, she falls to the ground. Passed by Kathleen McCartney for the women’s title, Moss does not give up and nevertheless crawls the last 20 yards to the finish line on her hands and knees. Her courage and determination inspires millions and creates the Ironman mantra that “just finishing is a victory.”