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2011-12-03 12:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

In my case it was progression of exploring my limits as middle-aged non-athlete.  Sprint, then Olys, marathons, and eventually HIM last summer.  In some ways it seemed an impossible journey considering I was a bit intimidated by my 1st Sprint 3+yrs ago.  Very satisfied to have finished a half-ironman........for about a week.  That's when the little voice said....."you don't want to be just a "half (a$$) ironman"  Yell

A year later that "IM Monkey" is finally off my back & the voice is silent......for now Wink.



2011-12-04 7:57 PM
in reply to: #3922718

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Because I like to prove to myself that there is absolutely nothing i can't do if i put my mind to it. Plus, being in the best shape of my life, achieving a goal and pushing myself everyday is a lot of fun.
2011-12-04 7:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Dp

Edited by matcrawf 2011-12-04 7:58 PM
2011-12-04 9:12 PM
in reply to: #3924551

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Great answers..I can relate to so many.  It shows great minds think alike :-) Thanks everyone.  The short and sweet answer for me is that I simply love it...all of it...the training, the challenge, the people, the complexity of putting it all together, the pain, the joy.  It's who I am and what I do.  Simple, really.  

Edited by ironmangranny 2011-12-04 9:15 PM
2011-12-05 8:05 AM
in reply to: #3922718

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

I think people do Ironmans for a multitude of individual reasons.  I'll list some.

Mt. Everest - "Because it's there."

A personal Everest - "Because I can."

Some people have addictive personalities and become obsessed - sure beats being obsessed over alcohol and/or drugs.

Personal experience.  Why I did Ironmans?  I did it because I was deeply hurting over the loss of a relationship.  Getting involved in triathlon training where I was involved in a group of people was really a great distraction.  Like anyone else, I started out with sprint distance races and in 4 years was competing in full Ironman races.  While crossing the finish line was absolutely incredible, I found that it did not fill in the hole of emptiness that I felt from my loss.  I realized that I did not have to practically kill myself (Ironmans) in order to live.  I searched elsewhere to find me....with great success.

That's my story.

2011-12-05 8:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

pocodino - 2011-12-05 9:05 AM

Personal experience.  Why I did Ironmans?  I did it because I was deeply hurting over the loss of a relationship.  ... While crossing the finish line was absolutely incredible, I found that it did not fill in the hole of emptiness that I felt from my loss.  I realized that I did not have to practically kill myself (Ironmans) in order to live.  I searched elsewhere to find me....with great success.

...she's lost that loving feeling, whoa that loving feeling, she's lost that loving feeling and it's gone, gone, gone, whoa, whoa, whoa.  Ouch.

Just kidding.  Sorry for your loss.  Congratulations on finding you!



2011-12-06 9:50 AM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

I've often tried to answer that question myself.  Usually, I just say I enjoy difficult challenges, physical and intellectual (that sometimes satisfies by colleagues--I'm a college professor).  But after several decades of running marathons, ultramarathons, and triathlons (including Ironman), I've decided that's just who I am.  I can no more answer that question than answer "Why do you go to work everyday?" "Why do you enjoy eating?" 

2011-12-06 10:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Because my Mom did.
2011-12-06 10:57 AM
in reply to: #3924150

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
tcovert - 2011-12-02 5:44 PM

wannabefaster - 2011-12-01 6:11 PM because I can..........

This is kind of it for me, too.  Got to where I had done an HIM and it was sort of something to do because...well...at that point, I pretty much knew I could.

Ditto

I find it impossible to explain why I do this to people who do not do this.   They just look at me with their eyes glazed over in confusion.  Oh, and don't EVER tell them how much you PAID to do an Ironman, then they'll REALLY think you are nuts.

I actually lied to my coworkers last week about why I needed Friday off.  I said I had a washer and dryer being delivered.  Really I was going out of town for a race.  I just didn't want to hear all of the "taking time off work to race again" comments.  It's pretty bad when you feel you have to "sneak" to race!

2011-12-06 11:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Because that stupid voice in my head won't shut up! 
2011-12-06 11:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Cause chicks dig it Yo!!


2011-12-06 11:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
cause I like it!
2011-12-06 12:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

because anything is possible!!!

and ironman , for me, proves that my limits are endless!!

im only a one time Ironman, but i will do it again, just for that feeling of pure victory at the finish line! I trained hard, i got to the starting line healthy, smiled the whole damn 14 hours, and victory was mine!!! IT WAS ALL ME, ALL MINE MINE MINE!!!

2011-12-10 9:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

I watched the Ironman when I was a 15 and thought, "That's some crazy Shi-!" and knew I had to do it.

MY strength training coach in 1980 competed in the 1980 Ironman and that was it. Set me to training.

No intelligent response, just a gutteral nudge into the extraordinary. 

2011-12-22 12:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

Someone recently asked me why i signed up (haven't done one yet) and all i could say is:

'Because it's awesome'

And that's all i had. There's a whole lot that goes through my mind but that's one thing I can land on.

2011-12-23 3:07 PM
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2011-12-25 12:53 PM
in reply to: #3924806

Master
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
Oldteen - 2011-12-03 1:37 PM

In my case it was progression of exploring my limits as middle-aged non-athlete.  Sprint, then Olys, marathons, and eventually HIM last summer.  In some ways it seemed an impossible journey considering I was a bit intimidated by my 1st Sprint 3+yrs ago.  Very satisfied to have finished a half-ironman........for about a week.  That's when the little voice said....."you don't want to be just a "half (a$$) ironman"  Yell

A year later that "IM Monkey" is finally off my back & the voice is silent......for now Wink.



My voice was silent for about ten minutes after finishing but then it started whispering to me, "you can do this faster........"
2011-12-27 7:40 PM
in reply to: #3953326

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
wannabefaster - 2011-12-25 12:53 PM

 My voice was silent for about ten minutes after finishing but then it started whispering to me, "you can do this faster........"

damn that voice!

2011-12-27 9:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

I guess there are two reasons.

The first and most important is that I've always liked to challenge myself mentally and physically.  I can't think of anything being more physically and mentally challenging than an ironman.  I signed up for IMFL this year and my focus has increased more than I could have ever imagined.  The second and one everyone has even if they will admit or not is that I really like the look that people give you when you tell them you are going to swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles and then run a marathon.  It's that you've lost your mind and or you must be some kind of bad a$$ look. 

2011-12-29 11:27 AM
in reply to: #3922718

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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

Wow, how to answer this...well, I did my first one because I wanted to do something that I thought would be extrememly difficult for me.  As I told people about it the comments of "you're crazy" and the not so subtle hints of "I don't think you can do it" motivated me to keep training.  When I completed it (and it was a sufferfest) it was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever had.  Since then people say "well now you can cross it off of your bucket list.."  well that has motivated me to do another one because I do not want it to be a "bucket list" thing.  I want it to be a "you get to live a healthier life and be there for your kids as they grow up" thing.  I want it to be a "you will never go back to that 250 pound slob who was just waiting for a heart attack to happen" thing.  It has also morphed into a "my wife is now training for her first triathlon and is asking me I think she could ever do an Ironman" thing.....I guess for those that have always been super athletic it is hard to understand, but I just feel prouder of myself knowing that if I commit to it, I can do it...and maybe motivate others as well.

Sorry for the rambling...

2011-12-29 12:51 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
I started out in triathlon to impress people who weren't looking at me anyway. In the end I just impressed myself.


2011-12-29 2:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?
because someone told me i couldn't do it.
2011-12-29 3:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Why do you do Ironman?

bryancd - 2011-12-06 10:01 AM Because my Mom did.

So was there ever a dinner table (or similar setting) discussion that started like " ...so Bryan, when are YOU going to do an Iromman like your Mom here..."?

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