Subject: RE: Gong Long vs Iron Distance They need to come up with a better naming scheme for the Iron distance races. I don't like the "half Iron" title. Maybe they should call it the "Copper Man" or "Bronze Man" race. I realize the "Iron" is a well recognized trademark, but "half Iron" just doesn't have the punch that I think it needs. For all you Iron purists, I realize being Iron is the ultimate goal, and I'm with you. It is the hallmark of the elite, long distance endurance athlete. As I sit here pondering this post, having yet to complete a half IM, I have a hard time accepting that this daunting task is half of anything. Lets get down to brass tacks, a half is not a whole IM. BUT, 1.2mi in the water, 56 on a bike, followed by 13mi running the pavement is no walk in the park. Yet, when I finish, I can only say I finished a "Half". No, I finished a whole. I did the whole thing. Thank goodness they don't call an Oly a "quarter" or a sprint an "eighth". |